PhD position Just transformations in Global Health systems

22 Mar 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU)

Research Field

Medical sciences
Cultural studies

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

Netherlands

Application Deadline

9 Apr 2024 - 21:59 (UTC)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Not Applicable

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

The recent pandemic, mental health crises, climate change, malnutrition, maternal mortality, NCDs, and increasing inequities make it evident that our health systems are unsustainable. Conventional ways of innovating prioritize expert knowledge and are thus not well-geared to adequately respond to the complex health challenges we face today. Moreover, this expert-based approach tends to neglect the needs of vulnerable and marginalized groups and, worse, increase the divide in health outcomes between these groups and privileged groups. We therefore need a ‘just’ and ‘equitable’ transition towards a more sustainable health system. Key is to give voice in these innovation processes to those groups that have so far been largely neglected.

As a PhD researcher, you will contribute to strengthening an actionable participatory approach that puts justice and equity at its core, providing guidance on how to achieve it and highlighting its challenges and opportunities. To this end, it is important to investigate what a just and equitable health system transformation is, as well as to contest institutionalized ways of working and thinking, including institutionalized inequality. You will investigate whether "solidarity" is a concept that may, when operationalized in action, contribute to realizing a ‘just’ and ‘equitable’ transition in health systems. Together with your supervisors, you will select a case study (e.g., within the area of maternal health, mental health, neglected tropical diseases) and a study setting (e.g., Indonesia, Laos, Nepal, Uganda, Nigeria) that you can study over a longer period of time. You will conduct field research that will be primarily transdisciplinary in nature, involving marginalized groups who normally do not engage.

Your duties

• conduct a literature review on how the concepts of justice and equity is applied in sustainability transformations in the field of Global Health
• facilitate the making of an innovation agenda by including marginalized groups using a system-oriented dialogue model
• gain insights into capturing stories of often unheard voices and how these can have a meaningful and lasting impact on decision makers / key actors and their work by applying a range of qualitative methods
• make a theoretical and methodological contribution by analyzing how the insights obtained from this study and broader knowledge base on the use of "solidarity" approach/paradigm contribute to fostering justice and equity in sustainability transformations in the field of Global Health

Requirements
Specific Requirements

• a master’s degree in the field of Global Health, International Public Health, Health Sciences, or a related field such as Anthropology, Sociology
• proven experience with qualitative research methods, such as interviews and focus groups
• experience with engagement of societal stakeholders (patients) in health research and innovation processes
• strong affinity with transdisciplinary research, prior experience is a plus
• a network in connection to potential case (e.g., maternal health, mental health, neglected tropical diseases) is a plus
• able to work independent and within interdisciplinary teams (able to listen, flexible, adaptive, creative, pro-active)
• excellent command of English is imperative
• 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.

Additional Information
Benefits

A challenging position in a socially engaged organisation. This appointment is for 4 years, with a division of duties as follows: 85% research - 15% education (as a coaching lecturer on working groups of courses of your preference). The trial period is 12 months. Your dissertation at the end of the fourth year forms the end of your employment contract.

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 € 2.770,00 (PhD) and maximum € 3.539,00 (PhD) gross per month in the fourth year, for a full-time employment.

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

Additional comments

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.

Applications received by e-mail will not be considered.

Acquisition in response to this advertisement is not appreciated.

Website for additional job details

https://www.academictransfer.com/339350/

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Country

Netherlands

City

Amsterdam

Postal Code

1081HV

Street

De Boelelaan 1085

Geofield

Where to apply

Website

https://www.academictransfer.com/en/339350/phd-position-just-transformations-in…

Contact

City

Amsterdam

Website

http://www.vu.nl/

Street

De Boelelaan 1105

Postal Code

1081 HV

STATUS: EXPIRED