PostDoc on Ethics and psychology of health behavior change technology

Are you passionate about the potential of health behavior technology to transform the practice of medicine? Do you want your research to make a difference to the future of medical care in the Netherlands and worldwide? This post-doctoral researcher will develop a training module for Dutch clinical professionals about how to use health behavior change technology, focusing on the psychological and ethical aspects of using technology to influence health behavior.

The main challenge will be to develop a module to teach best practices for the use of health behavior change technologies such as mobile applications and wearables. The target group for the module is Dutch clinical professionals such as GPs, nurse practitioners, and POH (praktijkondersteuners van de huisarts) who play a role in stimulating healthy behavior. Technologies can support target health behaviors and goal achievement through data collection, feedback, knowledge-provision, and motivational encouragement. The candidate will conduct research on current Dutch and international medical practice and relevant health psychology and ethical dimensions of health behavior change technologies. They will also interact with key stakeholders such as clinicians and professional organizations, policy institutes, academia, and non-governmental organizations. Finally, they will also support project activities that disseminate relevant knowledge and promote knowledge utilization.

The candidate will be part of Mobile Support Systems for Behavior Change, a research project of the Philosophy & Ethics Group and the Human Technology Interaction Group at TU Eindhoven, together with Philips Research. The post-doctoral position will be hosted in the Department of Philosophy & Ethics, a vibrant research group at the university.

Preliminary research suggests there is no existing module for professionals serving the aims we have in mind. This is a unique opportunity to influence the future of health care practice as clinical professionals increasingly adopt mobile health solutions and work with patients to empower health behavior.