Postdoctoral researcher on phasing out non-essential uses of PFAS in healthcare

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are heavy environmental polluters due to their minimal environmental degradation. Phasing out these ‘forever chemicals’ is therefore a key priority for human and planetary health. It is estimated that around one-third (~37%) of total PFAS load to the environment originates from the medical sector. This is at odds with the (public) health goals that the healthcare system pursues. Therefore, reducing PFAS in healthcare should be a top priority, despite regulatory pressure targeting primarily other sectors.

Given the widespread use in healthcare, but lack of precise knowledge about the where, when and how, this co-created and interdisciplinary project will use Amsterdam UMC as a ‘living lab’ to identify PFAS-containing products/applications, assess (non-)essential uses, and substitutability by safe-and-sustainable by design (SSbD) alternatives. It also explores the effect of such replacements on lowering the environmental burden, and sketch implications beyond Amsterdam UMC, such as other healthcare organizations and actors in the medical sector and supply chains.

The main responsibilities of this position entail:

• Inventorization of PFAS use in healthcare delivery at Amsterdam UMC using a combination of desk-research and interviews within different hospital departments;
• In-depth assessment of selected case studies to identify viable non-PFAS alternatives and exploring trade-offs between environmental/health benefits of substitution and costs/ease/acceptance of a transition;
• Engage with an interdisciplinary project team and participate in research meetings and seminars across different University of Amsterdam Faculties (Faculty of Medicine, Amsterdam Business School, Faculty of Science, Faculty of Dentistry);
• Disseminate results through scientific publications, reports and presentations at (inter)national conferences;
• Explore future funding opportunities.

• A flying start to your career in scientific research.
• Plenty of room for your drive to shape tomorrow's healthcare.
• Working on large-scale and in-house research, with motivated colleagues from all over the world.
• You will be employed by Amsterdam UMC Research BV.
• A contract for a duration of 12 months, with the intention to extend to a total of 2 years.
• Salary scale 10: € 3.493 to € 5.504 gross based on full-time employment (depending on education and experience) and a year-end bonus of 8.3%. Calculate your net salary here.
• Holiday hours: 190,4 per year for fulltime and a possibility to save additional hours.
• Pension accrual with BeFrank, a modern, comprehensible and fairly priced pension.
• For >7 km each way, 100% reimbursement for public transport travel costs and, for private transport, €0.18 per km up to a maximum of 40 km each way.
• Do you prefer walking or cycling? Take advantage of our good bike scheme. Moreover, you will receive a reimbursement of €0.18 per km.

Watch this video with more information about joining Amsterdam UMC Research BV.

The Centre for Sustainable Healthcare (CSH) is the driver of the sustainable transformation in Amsterdam UMC, comprising both researchers and implementation experts. Our team consists of medical professionals, researchers, PhD students, LCA-experts, a community manager and Green Team coordianator.

On our regular team day (Thursday at location VUmc), we all come together and create a friendly atmosphere where collaboration and the exchange of ideas are central. We foster a non-hierarchical, inclusive, and open culture, where everyone is encouraged to speak up and share their voice.

Your primary supervisors are Dr. Gonnie Alkemade (internal medicine specialist) and Dr. Niek Sperna Weiland (anaesthesiologist and CSH founder/co-director). Additionally, you will be working closely with co-supervisors from different faculties of the University of Amsterdam, particularly Prof. Ans Kolk (Amsterdam Business School, expert in corporate social responsibility and sustainability) and Dr. Antonia Praetorius (Faculty of Science, expert in emerging chemical contaminants, incl. PFAS). You will have the opportunity to interact regularly with the research groups at the different faculties and may spend more extended periods of time in these research groups during selected phases of the project.

Amsterdam UMC Research BV supports non-profit scientific research. In doing so, we provide researchers with everything they need to excel. Our principal investigators (PIs) and project leaders offer support in the field of project management, finance and human resources. In medical scientific research projects, legal support is also provided.

Watch the video to find out more.

During the publication period, applications will be handled continuously. If the vacancy is filled, it will be closed prematurely.

If you have any questions about this position, please feel free to contact Dr. Niek Sperna Weiland, via n.h.spernaweiland@amsterdamumc.nl or Dr. Gonnie Alkemade, via g.m.alkemade@amsterdamumc.nl.

For more information about the application procedure, please contact Chey Edwards, Recruitment advisor, via c.i.edwards@amsterdamumc.nl.

A reference check, screening and hiring test may be part of the procedure. Read here whether that applies to you. If you join us, we ask you for a VOG (Certificate of Good Conduct).

Internal candidates will be given priority over external candidates in case of equal suitability.

Acquisition in response to this vacancy is not appreciated.