PhD on Realizing the first European Health Data Space focused on Prevention

Are you passionate about pioneering research at the intersection of health technology, data exchange, and ethical considerations? Join us at the Information Systems group of Eindhoven University of Technology and be part of an exciting project funded by the InterReg Flanders/Netherlands program.

Position PhD-student

Irène Curie Fellowship No

Department(s) Industrial Engineering and Innovation Sciences

FTE 1,0

Date off 14/07/2024

Reference number V39.7533

Job description

In spring 2024, the European Parliament and the Council reached a political agreement on the Commission proposal for the European Health Data Space (EHDS). The EHDS is the first common EU data space in a specific area to emerge from the European strategy for data. Overall, the leading initiatives focus on clinical data. At the same time, governments have started acknowledging the importance of health promotion and prevention. Our project aims to take a pioneering role in the Flanders-Netherlands border region by facilitating the interoperability of health-promoting technologies and the resulting personal data on lifestyle, well-being, and daily functioning. By creating a cross-border data space for prevention, we seek to optimize health benefits and innovation capacity while fostering collaboration among citizens, healthcare professionals, local governments, and businesses in the lifestyle and well-being sector.

As a fully funded PhD candidate, you will be part of two key work packages: first, you will contribute to Work Package 3 (WP3) focused on shaping the technical and ethical-legal-social (ELSA) conditions for a comprehensive "Prevention Data Space." Your responsibilities will include investigating how data on lifestyle, well-being, and daily functioning can be uniformly measured, stored, and exchanged through digital applications. Additionally, you will play a crucial role in addressing the structural role of citizens in data collection and reuse for research and innovation, ensuring trust and ethical considerations are paramount. Second, you will take a leading role in WP4, where you will demonstrate to partners how personalized gamification strategies can be realized across borders. For that, you will prototype demonstrators (e.g., based on gamebus.eu), and lead partners such as selfcare.nl and bibopp.be into small- and large-scale living lab experiments. 

Key Responsibilities:

• Conduct design science research on technical aspects of data exchange in health technology applications.
• Investigate ethical, legal, and social implications of health data collection and usage.
• Collaborate with project partners to develop and evaluate digital applications in field labs 
• Engage with end-users to ensure acceptance and intentions to long-term use.
• Promote sustainability of project outcomes by disseminating findings to policy stakeholders and research infrastructure providers (e.g., health-ri.nl). 
• Publish articles in impactful internationally peer-reviewed outlets (conferences and journals)

Job requirements

• Fluency in Dutch/Flemish 
• Master's degree (or equivalent) in Information Systems, Computer Science, Health/Clinical Informatics, or related fields.
• Strong background in data management/interoperability, privacy, and ethics.
• Proficiency in programming languages (e.g., Python, Java) and web technologies.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to work in interdisciplinary teams.
• A research-oriented attitude.
• Ability to work in an interdisciplinary team and interested in collaborating with industrial partners.
• Motivated to develop your teaching skills and coach students.
• Fluent in spoken and written English (C1 level).

Conditions of employment

A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university, in an interdisciplinary setting and within an international network. You will work on a beautiful, green campus within walking distance of the central train station. In addition, we offer you:

• A track record and growing team of PhD researchers working on gamified digital health (see https://www.pietervangorp.com/?page_id=186). 
• Opportunities for professional development and international collaboration.
• A unique opportunity to initiate a paradigm shift in data management, reconciling open science objectives with other values such as privacy preservation.
• Full-time employment for four years, with an intermediate evaluation (go/no-go) after nine months. You will spend 10% of your employment on teaching tasks.
• Salary and benefits (such as a pension scheme, paid pregnancy and maternity leave, partially paid parental leave) in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, scale P (min. € 2770,-- max. € 3539,--).
• A year-end bonus of 8.3% and annual vacation pay of 8%.
• High-quality training programs and other support to grow into a self-aware, autonomous scientific researcher. At TU/e we challenge you to take charge of your own learning process.
• An excellent technical infrastructure, on-campus children's day care and sports facilities.
• An allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs.
• A Staff Immigration Team and a tax compensation scheme (the 30% facility) for international candidates.

Information and application

About us

Eindhoven University of Technology is an internationally top-ranking university in the Netherlands that combines scientific curiosity with a hands-on attitude. Our spirit of collaboration translates into an open culture and a top-five position in collaborating with advanced industries. Fundamental knowledge enables us to design solutions for the highly complex problems of today and tomorrow. 

Curious to hear more about what it’s like as a PhD candidate at TU/e? Please view the video.

Information

Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more? Then please check our webpages for more information about the application process or the conditions of employment. You can also contact the intended PhD promotor (Pieter Van Gorp, Director of Clinical Informatics) via p.m.e.v.gorp@tue.nl. When doing so, please mentioned "[PhD Preventie Data Ruimte]" in the e-mail subject line.

Are you inspired and would like to know more about working at TU/e? Please visit our career page.

Application

We invite you to submit a complete application by using the apply button. The application should include a:

• Cover letter in which you describe your motivation and qualifications for the position.
• Curriculum vitae, including a list of your publications, relevant grades/distinctions, but also relevant activities besides formal courses.
• Master thesis and/or peer reviewed articles authored by the candidate.
• A hand-crafted Dutch motivation letter (link between personal research interests/experience and project/group objectives). Please also provide contact information for two referees at the end of the motivation letter.

We look forward to receiving your application and will screen it as soon as possible. The vacancy will remain open until the position is filled.