Description
PhD research aimed at improving the daily functioning, self-reliance, and quality of life of people with chronic eye conditions. The project develops, evaluates, and implements a new care infrastructure surrounding the VQL-6, a self-report screening instrument that signals a 'red flag' regarding additional support needs. The central focus is assessing whether accessible referrals and care interventions for people with macular degeneration or glaucoma and additional support needs lead to better quality of life and more appropriate care. As a PhD candidate, you will play a central role in Work Package 1 (development and evaluation of the infrastructure through a randomized controlled trial) and contribute to Work Package 2 on a digital information platform and care modules. The research is a collaboration between the University of Groningen, the UMCG, Koninklijke Visio, Bartiméus, the HAN, patient associations, and experts by experience.
Job requirements
- A completed relevant (research) Master's degree in Psychology, Health Sciences, or a related field.
- Strong communication skills and the ability to connect different perspectives and interests.
- Organizational skills: maintaining an overview in a project with many stakeholders and monitoring progress.
- Experience with designing and conducting quantitative research, including questionnaire research; experience with RCTs is a plus.
- Demonstrable capabilities in planning, organizing, and monitoring progress within long-term clinical trajectories.
- Proactive, meticulous, and decisive work attitude, with strong presentation skills.
- Ability to collaborate effectively with science, patients, and healthcare professionals, and to establish and maintain networks.
- Enthusiasm for writing international publications and a dissertation; good academic writing skills.
- Excellent command of Dutch and English.
- Affinity with people with a visual impairment or another chronic condition is a plus.
Tasks
- Conducting scientific research and writing a dissertation.
- Designing and developing a new infrastructure to guide patients to appropriate care.
- Setting up, coordinating, and conducting data collection for the evaluation in an RCT, including baseline and final measurements after 12 months.
- Monitoring and analyzing user behavior on the digital information platform.
- Actively establishing, maintaining, and strengthening the network between collaboration partners and stakeholders.
- Publishing results in international scientific journals and presenting findings to scientists, partners, and patient associations.
- Collaborating with an interdisciplinary team of researchers and practice partners.
- Conducting a limited number of teaching activities at the Department of Clinical and Developmental Neuropsychology.
Working conditions
Offer and employment conditions:
- Year-end bonus and holiday allowance.
- Extensive opportunities for personal and professional development.
- Temporary employment for four years (1,0 FTE), initially for one year with extension following a positive performance and development review.
- Possibility of flexible working hours and exchanging working time for time off.
Description of the organization
The University of Groningen (RUG) is a research university with interdisciplinary research and education, and strong connections with business, government, and societal stakeholders. The university strives for an open academic community with an inclusive and safe working environment.
The Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences focuses on behaviour, thinking, learning, and living together, and works on social issues that people experience in daily life. Central to its work are individual and societal resilience and themes such as health and well-being, learning and development, an inclusive society, and the protection of vulnerable groups. More than 650 staff members work within the faculty.