PhD position in Healthcare Transformation

We are looking for a highly motivated, enthusiastic, and curious PhD candidate to join our innovative Industrial Engineering & Business Information Systems (IEBIS) section at the Faculty of Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences. In this dynamic and inclusive section, personal and professional development is central, and there is plenty of room for social activities. This position allows you to contribute towards a future-proof healthcare system with a special focus on accessibility, availability, and quality of care.

In light of ongoing demographic changes, healthcare systems will need to undergo significant restructuring in order to handle an increasing patient demand with less available staff. Technology can play a valuable role in this balanced quality- and efficiency-driven transformation, by supporting both caregivers in delivering care and administrators in organizing care. Since the healthcare system is a complex network with a multitude of stakeholders involved, transformation of the current way of working is a challenging task, involving reorganization of healthcare systems and redistribution of capacities. For a successful transition to a future-proof system, the optimal timing of changes and their scope need to be identified.

We invite candidates who are interested in transforming healthcare organization. You will be embedded in the well-known CHOIR research group, which has a vast network of healthcare providers with whom they collaborate and has a history of impactful healthcare OR/OM research. We challenge you to bring in your own ideas to shape this position, in consultation with the supervisors. Typically, we will initiate collaboration with one or more healthcare providers, which allows us to focus on current and relevant problems, and gives us access to data, processes, and stakeholders. After a thorough problem analysis, we then identify root cause problems that we develop solutions for, which are prospectively assessed using mathematical/statistical (e.g., simulation) models. Continuous involvement of problem owners allows validation of our findings, and gives opportunities to learn from implementation processes, which will lead to more realistic and effective solutions.

Job description

We look for a PhD candidate with a focus on Healthcare Operations Management/Operations Research who is keen to work at the immediate intersection of healthcare, technology, and society. Thus, solid understanding of healthcare (systems), strong communication skills, and a solid quantitative background are essential for this post. This position aims to develop quantitative models and methods that allow streamlining the process of transformation within the healthcare system.

We look for a highly motivated, enthusiastic researcher who is driven by curiosity and:

• Has experience with mathematical modelling (simulation and optimization) and coding, preferably in R or Python;
• Has, or will shortly acquire, a quantitative master's degree or equivalent experience (e.g., in Operations Research/Management, Industrial Engineering, Applied Mathematics/Statistics, Econometrics, or Computer Sciences);
• Has a good team spirit and likes to work in an inter-disciplinary environment;
• Can perform independent research and willing to develop writing and publication skills;
• Possesses effective communication skills and an excellent command of English;
• Proficiency in Dutch is desirable.

We encourage high responsibility and independence, while collaborating with colleagues, researchers, other university staff and partners. We follow the terms of employment by the Dutch Collective Labour Agreement for Universities (CAO). Our offer contains: a fulltime 4-year PhD position with a qualifier in the first year; excellent mentorship in a stimulating research environment with excellent facilities; and a personal development program within the Twente Graduate School. It also includes:

• Gross monthly salary of € 2.872 in the first year, increasing each year up to € 3.670 in the fourth year;
• Excellent benefits including a holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary, an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%, and a solid pension scheme;
• 29 holidays per year in case of full-time employment;
• A training program as part of the Twente Graduate School where you and your supervisors will determine a plan for a suitable education and supervision;
• A green campus with free access to sports facilities and an international scientific community;
• A family-friendly institution that offers parental leave (both paid and unpaid);
• A full status as an employee at the UT, including pension, health care benefits and good secondary conditions are part of our collective labour agreement CAO-NU for Dutch universities.

The HBE department is dedicated to encouraging a supportive and inclusive working culture. Our aim is that all job applicants are given equal opportunities. When we select candidates for employment, it will be on the basis of their competence and ability. To support the workforce diversity, we are open to offer flexible working conditions on an individual basis to support work-life balance, that may include contract of employment, working hours and location, or child care arrangements.

The High Business Entrepreneurship corporate video can be watched via this link.

Does this sound appealing? Please apply before 1 March 2025, and include:

• A cover letter (maximum one-page A4), explaining your specific interest, qualifications, motivations to apply for this position, and briefly outline your research ideas;
• A Curriculum Vitae, including a list of all courses attended and grades obtained, and, if applicable, an overview of publications, as well as up to two references;
• Applicants with a non-Dutch qualification and who have not had secondary and tertiary education in English can only be admitted with an IELTS-test showing a total band score of at least 6.5, internet. TOEFL test (TOEFL-iBT) showing a score of at least 90, or a Cambridge CAE-C (CPE).

Additional information can be acquired via email to Dr. Sebastian Rachuba (s.rachuba@utwente.nl).