You will be doing research within the project “Evidence in Action: Dynamic standardisation of experience-based knowledge and values in guidelines”. This three-year project is a collaboration between the Vrije Universiteit (Athena Institute and Informatics/Social AI) and the National Coordination Centre for Communicable Disease Control of RIVM (National Institute for Public Health and the Environment). AI methods are combined with deliberation techniques to include experiential knowledge and values by patients and care professionals in guidelines for vaccination. The research thereby aims to develop more socially robust guidelines as well as innovate the methods for knowledge inclusion itself.
The project combines innovative text mining and data analytics methods from AI with deliberation between patients, care professionals and guideline developers in an online platform, to improve and facilitate the assessment and integration of experience-based knowledge and values into the guidelines in the field of infectious diseases. This will be done by development and testing of the online platform that would bring together the knowledge of the guideline developers, health professionals and patients. The platform will be tested in the revision of three vaccination guidelines in the Netherlands. The scientific goal of the project is be to innovate the methods and infrastructures for knowledge- and value inclusion in guideline development processes.
The successful candidate will work at the Athena Institute, Vrije Universiteit in close collaboration with LCI and department of Informatics of the VU as well as other stakeholders, such as public health physicians, GPs, and youth- and elderly organizations. You will carry out literature study, surveys, interviews and focus groups with stakeholders and users of vaccination guidelines to assess their needs and identify additional digital sources of experience-based knowledge and values of patients and professionals. You will also be actively involved in text mining and data analytics techniques to filter the identified sources. You will facilitate the co-creation sessions for the online platform and the evaluation of its use. Next to your research, resulting in a PhD thesis, you will be teaching in courses given by the Athena Institute (~20% of your time). Your work will be supported with committed supervision and additional training in methods you are not familiar with.

We are looking for an enthusiastic, curious, and creative candidate who has:

• a master’s degree in science and technology studies, health sciences, medical sciences, informatics (human-computer interaction, artificial intelligence) or a related field
• practical experience with qualitative research methods: collection or analysis of interviews/focus groups (knowledge of AtlasTi, NVIVO, or comparable is an advantage) and/or practical experience with quantitative methods: statistical analysis (SPSS, STATA, or R)
• previous experience with one or more of the following: survey design, focus group design, participatory methods, stakeholder interaction, or other co-creative processes
• knowledge of programming languages, especially Natural Language Processing is an advantage
• prior knowledge of Dutch guideline development process, decision-making under uncertainty, and/or the dynamics of social norms and risk perception is an advantage
• fluency in spoken and written English and Dutch are essential
• the ability to work both independently and as part of a team
• excellent organizational, communicating and connecting skills: you will collaborate with scientists from various disciplines as well as with broad range of societal stakeholders
• strong track record and research skills, relative to experience, and excellent academic writing and presentation skills

The chosen candidate will perform the tasks at the Athena Institute of the VU Amsterdam and partly at the LCI of the RIVM and the Department of Informatics of the VU Amsterdam.

Fixed-term contract: 1 year.

A challenging position in a socially involved organization. On full-time basis the renumeration amounts to a minimum gross monthly salary of €2,395 (PhD) and a maximum €3,061 (PhD).

The appointment will initially be for a period of one year with a possible extension conditional upon assessment of adequate functioning.

Additionally, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam offers excellent fringe benefits and various schemes and regulations to promote a good work/life balance, such as:

• a maximum of 41 days of annual leave based on full-time employment
• 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus
• solid pension scheme (ABP)
• contribution to commuting expenses
• optional model for designing a personalized benefits package

The ambition of Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is clear: to contribute to a better world through outstanding education and ground-breaking research. We strive to be a university where personal development and commitment to society play a leading role. A university where people from different disciplines and backgrounds collaborate to achieve innovations and to generate new knowledge. Our teaching and research encompass the entire spectrum of academic endeavour – from the humanities, the social sciences and the natural sciences through to the life sciences and the medical sciences.

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is home to more than 26,000 students. We employ over 4,600 individuals. The VU campus is easily accessible and located in the heart of Amsterdam’s Zuidas district, a truly inspiring environment for teaching and research.

Diversity
We are an inclusive university community. Diversity is one of our most important values. We believe that engaging in international activities and welcoming students and staff from a wide variety of backgrounds enhances the quality of our education and research. We are always looking for people who can enrich our world with their own unique perspectives and experiences.

The Faculty of Science
The Faculty of Science inspires researchers and students to find sustainable solutions for complex societal issues. From forest fires to big data, from obesity to medicines and from molecules to the moon: our teaching and research programmes cover the full spectrum of the natural sciences. We share knowledge and experience with leading research institutes and industries, both here in the Netherlands and abroad.

Working at the Faculty of Science means working with students, PhD candidates and researchers, all with a clear focus on their field and a broad view of the world. We employ more than 1,250 staff members, and we are home to around 6,000 students.
Athena Institute
The position is offered within the Athena Institute, Faculty of Science. The institute's mission is to study and design interfaces between science and society to contribute both to a deeper understanding of innovation processes as well as a responsible implementation of research and innovation in society.  Athena's research amongst other focuses on analysing complex global health challenges, designing interventions and conducting participatory monitoring and evaluation research.
For more information about the Athena Institutet, visit our website: https://science.vu.nl/en/research/athena-institute/index.aspx
For more information about the LCI of the RIVM, see:
https://www.rivm.nl/onderwerpen/lci-richtlijnen