Sanquin Research’s Department of Donor Medicine Research is looking for a highly motivated and ambitious epidemiologist and post-doctoral researcher to model the results of a nation-wide cluster-randomized trial and of an observational study with repeated measurements in order to gain relevant knowledge for blood bank policies worldwide.

The Projects
Ferritin measurement IN Donors – Effectivity of iron Monitoring to diminish iron deficiency and low haemoglobin (FIND’EM) – a stepped wedge cluster-randomized trial.

Frequent whole blood donations may carry the risk of iron depletion and subsequent haemoglobin (Hb) level decrease. Sanquin Blood Bank has recently implemented a new ferritin measurement policy using a stepped wedge cluster-randomized trial approach. The aim of this project is to systematically evaluate the effectiveness of the policy.

Ferritin measurement IN Donors – donor Population LongitUdinal Study: FIND +
In this project, we aim to identify different ferritin trajectories in new whole blood donors during a two year period, prior to implementation of the ferritin measurement policy. 

Your work
You will analyze data from the nation-wide cluster-randomized FIND’EM trial to investigate the effectiveness of the new policy in donors on iron and Hb levels, donor health, and donor retention. For FIND’EM you will use routinely collected data from the blood bank information system, and additionally collected data through questionnaires and ferritin measurements in randomly selected samples of donors at various time points across the blood donation clusters.

For FIND+, with the use of growth mixture models, you will predict ferritin trajectories for subsets of donors, based on subsequent measurements of ferritin levels from samples collected during whole blood donations in the past.

As a Postdoctoral Researcher, you will:

• Perform epidemiological research in the area of donor health with a primary focus on FIND’EM and FIND+, and additional studies on donation-related iron depletion and Hb levels, and (long-term) health effects of blood donation.
• Perform (advanced) statistical analyses, including linear mixed models and growth mixture models / latent class growth analyses, write scientific publications and present findings at scientific meetings.
• Collaborate nationally and internationally with other scientists and blood bank professionals to discuss, plan and perform research in a stimulating environment.
• Co-supervise a PhD student.

• You hold a PhD degree with strong background in epidemiology and bio-statistical modeling. We are particularly interested in candidates with medical training and experience in research on a related topic and/or study designs (stepped wedge RCT).
• You have experience working with SPSS, preferably also with MLWin and R, and are very competent performing and interpreting complex data analyses on large datasets (e.g. multilevel analyses, growth mixture modeling).
• You have good verbal and written English and Dutch communication skills and a strong publication record in high-impact journals.
• You are proactive, persevering, highly motivated and a true team player.
• You have good communication skills and can work together with different parties in science and blood banking practice. 

Fixed-term contract: 1 year.

• A fulltime position for 1 year.
• Pay and terms of employment in accordance with the Sanquin Collective Labour Agreement (FWG55).
• 8.33% end-of-year bonus, i.e. a thirteenth month in case of full-year employment.
• 201 hours of leave with full-time employment (36 hours/week).
• Collective agreements with various insurers.
• A multiple-choice system that enables employees to select their own preferred terms of employment.
• Various training courses and educational opportunities.
• Travel reimbursement.

Sanquin

Sanquin is a unique organization. We are best known for the Blood Bank, the division responsible for guaranteeing the blood supply in the Netherlands. But Sanquin does much more, including scientific research in the field of blood and related topics. Sanquin employs almost 3000 employees who spend each day making their own contribution to our social duty: Together with the donor we ensure a better life for patients.
As a post-doctoral researcher you will work at Donor Studies, a research group within the Department of Donor Medicine Research of Sanquin Research. Donor Studies is internationally recognized as a leading player in research on donor health and donor behaviour. Due to its multidisciplinary character, Donor Studies combines high quality health research with state-of-the-art studies from an epidemiological, biostatistical, and psychosocial perspective. The close collaboration with the Blood Bank offers the unique possibility to implement evidence-based research results into practice and evaluate their effectiveness. Click on the following links for more info on Donor Studies projects and the Donor Health research line.