PhD involvement in clinical studies in Europe

VU Hoofdgebouw

Amsterdam

0.8 / 1

Faculty of Science

PhD

MSc

Sluit op

06-02-2026

Publicatiedatum

20-01-2026

Solliciteer direct

Are you interested in patient centredness and patient involvement in clinical studies? Do you want to explore how inclusion of underrepresented communities in clinical studies might lead to more effective preventative care and treatments? Apply now!

Your function

Health systems face a time of unprecedented change, with spiralling costs, increasing cultural disparity in access to healthcare, research, and an infrastructure that is decades old, resulting in increasing health inequities between social groups. Furthermore, research to address the health challenges often fail to engage diverse participants that accurately represent the general population. These so-called underserved (US) and underrepresented (UR) communities often face geographic barriers as well as mistrust and prejudice by research communities. This contributes to knowledge gaps in research on many diseases and conditions, preventative care and treatments in different demographic groups, thereby widening and deepening existing healthcare disparities.

It is widely acknowledged that patient centeredness and patient involvement can contribute to public accountability of clinical research and to more effective translation of research outcomes into care practices. However, patient centeredness and involvement are often addressed superficially, focusing solely on patient choice and preferences based on input by easy-to-reach patient groups. Achieving meaningful and diversity-sensitive patient-centeredness necessitates a transition from predominantly disease-oriented, top-down patient involvement tools to more integral inclusive approaches.

Contributing to such approaches is the aim of a large EU project, in which we offer a PhD position that focusses on the broad research question: how to include a wide variety of groups, including currently US and UR communities, in clinical studies in order to enhance patient centredness in intervention design and implementation? Exploratory studies will be conducted to understand mechanisms of exclusion and identify more effective approaches to patient centredness and involvement. Practical tools, frameworks, and training modules will be co-created together with patient groups and diverse stakeholders.

Your duties

to create an agreed understanding (definition/categorization) of US/UR populations in Europe using literature review, real-world data, interviews and expert workshops
to identify populations missing from clinical studies using a mixed-methods case study approach, with different data sources, as well as expert interviews with e.g. industry, clinical researchers, patient representatives and regulators
to co-create a model of stakeholder engagement and collaboration through literature review, retrospective studies and stakeholder workshops
to assist in the co-creation of approaches and related tools and training programs essential for patient engagement, including recruitment and retention of US/UR patients, in clinical studies

You will work in inter- and transdisciplinary teams and engage with stakeholders from diverse backgrounds (patient groups, academia, healthcare, industry, regulatory bodies, etc.). The work is typically collaborative and publications will be co-authored by the research team.

Next to your research, resulting in a PhD thesis, you will be a coaching lecturer in Bachelor and Master courses taught by the Athena Institute (15% of your time). For this duty you will be able to receive training.

Your profile

You have:

a master’s degree in the field of Global Health, International Public Health, Health Sciences, or a related field such as Anthropology, Sociology, Science and Technology Studies, etc.
proven experience with both qualitative research methods, such as interviews and focus groups, and quantitative research methods, such as questionnaires, database analysis
experience with and prowess in liaising and engaging with diverse stakeholders (patient groups, academia, healthcare, industry, regulatory bodies, etc.) in health research and innovation processes
a strong affinity with transdisciplinary research (prior experience is a plus)
proven ability to work both within inter-/transdisciplinary teams (able to listen, flexible, adaptive, creative, pro-active, collaborative) and independently
an excellent command of English (this is imperative)
and a strong research record and excellent writing skills

As a university, we strive for equal opportunities for all, recognising that diversity takes many forms. We believe that diversity in all its complexity is invaluable for the quality of our teaching, research and service. We are always looking for talent with diverse backgrounds and experiences. This also means that we are committed to creating an inclusive community so that we can use diversity as an asset.

We realise that each individual brings a unique set of skills, expertise and mindset. Therefore we are happy to invite anyone who recognises themselves in the profile to apply, even if you do not meet all the requirements.

What do we offer?

A challenging position in a socially engaged organisation. At VU Amsterdam, you contribute to education, research and service for a better world. And that is valuable. So in return for your efforts, we offer you:

a salary of € 3.059,00 gross per month on a full-time basis at the beginning of the PhD trajectory, which increases to € 3.881,00 gross per month in the fourth and final year of the trajectory
an employment contract of initially 1 year. If there is sufficient perspective, this will be extended to a total of 4 years. Your dissertation at the end of the fourth year forms the end of your employment contract

We also offer you attractive fringe benefits and arrangements. Some examples:

a full-time 38-hour working week comes with a holiday leave entitlement of 232 hours per year. For part-timers, this is calculated pro rata
8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus
solid pension scheme (ABP)
child daycare facilities available on campus
the possibility to work partly from home

About us

Athena Institute
The Athena Institute addresses complex societal issues, like climate change, health inequality and social injustice. We do this by designing, facilitating and studying multi-stakeholder processes. Together with all actors involved, we investigate how to instigate system transformation.

Faculty of Science
Working at the Faculty of Science means collaborating with students, lecturers and researchers who are focused on their field, yet have a broad view of the world. We are proud of a positive and inclusive workplace culture within the faculty, where we work together with great energy and a pragmatic attitude to tackle social challenges. At the Faculty of Science, scientists and students work on fundamental and complex societal issues for a sustainable, healthy and just future.

From forest fires to big data, from obesity to malnutrition, from helium to the universe and from genetics to medicine: our education and research cover the full breadth of science, from molecules to mankind. Our academic education and research are highly experimental, technical and interdisciplinary in nature. That is why we collaborate extensively with leading scientific institutes and industry. The faculty has more than 8,000 students studying in one of the 39 programms and employs more than 1,400 staff across 10 scientific departments, making us one of the largest science faculties in the Netherlands.

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam stands for values-driven education and research. We are open-minded experts with the ability to think freely - a broader mind. Maintaining an entrepreneurial perspective and concentrating on diversity, significance and humanity, we work on sustainable solutions with social impact. By joining forces, across the boundaries of disciplines, we work towards a better world for people and planet. Together we create a safe and respectful working and study climate, and an inspiring environment for education and research. Learn more about our codes of conduct

We are located on one physical campus, in the heart of Amsterdam's Zuidas business district, with excellent location and accessibility. Over 6,150 staff work at the VU and over 31,000 students attend academic education.

Diversity
Diversity is the driving force of VU Amsterdam. VU wants to be accessible and receptive to diversity in disciplines, cultures, ideas, nationalities, beliefs, preferences and worldviews. We believe that trust, respect, interest and differences lead to new insights and innovation, to sharpness and clarity, to excellence and a broader understanding.

We stand for an inclusive community and believe that diversity and internationalisation contribute to the quality of education, research and our services.

Therefore, we are always searching for people whose backgrounds and experience contribute to the diversity of the VU community.

Interested

Are you interested in this position and do you believe that your experience will contribute to the further development of our university? In that case, we encourage you to submit your application.

In your letter please elaborate on the case and study setting you would propose working on.

Applications received by e-mail will not be considered.

Acquisition in response to this advertisement is not appreciated.