Postdoc 'Behavioural theory during pandemics: International Expert Consensus Study'

If you want to work on an exciting, international project for advancing behavioural science theory and expand your international network with top scholars, then this could be the right project for you. You will be working with colleagues from IQ Health (Implementation and Behavioural Science group) at Radboudumc and with behavioural science colleagues from the RIVM (the Dutch public health institute).

You will be the lead researcher on a project with the aim to develop, through expert consensus procedures, a more robust theoretical framework for infection prevention behaviour during major infectious disease outbreaks (including pandemics). A theoretical framework that does not only focus on individual behaviour, but also the social, physical, and policy context.

Background Information
In the past years, many researchers have investigated which factors influenced public adherence to COVID-19 prevention measures, such as physical distancing or testing for COVID-19. Often these studies were informed by prevention-focused behavioral theories, such as the health belief model or protection motivation theory. These theories were, however, untested in the context of pandemics. Moreover, their scope is limited primarily to individuals' beliefs and affect, largely ignoring the social and physical context and its dynamics influencing prevention behavior. A more comprehensive theoretical framework describing infection prevention behaviors during pandemics could be of great value during a future outbreak.

Now, several years after the pandemic, there is a substantial empirical literature on drivers of infection prevention behaviors during a pandemic. In this postdoctoral project, you will be part of a research collaboration that collates this evidence. You will be responsible for conducting an international expert consensus study to examine whether and how our theoretical model(s) need to be improved to better capture the key drivers of infection prevention behaviors during an infectious disease outbreak. This project is also part of the BePrepared consortium.

What we offer
We offer an exciting opportunity to work in a collaborative, social, and dedicated team of researchers from multiple institutions. You will build a strong national and international network of top scholars in the behavioral sciences. The results of your work will be relevant both from a scientific perspective as well as for preparedness activities. For example, the results will be submitted to the RIVM's pandemic preparedness toolkit, and we will seek collaboration with and dissemination through organizations internationally, such as the WHO and ECDC.

We are looking for an enthusiastic postdoc to join our team. You are a team player and you have strong interpersonal skills for building contact with colleagues and stakeholders internationally. Furthermore, you have scientific creativity and productivity, as evident in recent publications in international peer-reviewed journals. Your English is excellent for both speaking and writing at an academic level.

You also meet the requirements below:

• You either hold (or have finished and nearly obtained) a PhD degree in the field of (health) psychology, communication science, health sciences, or public health or a related field.
• You have worked with behavior change theories in your research.
• Experience with consensus research, such as a Delphi study, is desirable.
• You have experience with synthesizing literature of observational and/or experimental data.

At Radboud university medical center, you build on your future. We are committed to providing the best care, education, and research. And we are true to our word, because we help you develop and seize opportunities and give you the room to grow. As an employer, we believe that employees should feel vital and happy at work in all stages of life. We are also committed to creating a healthy and safe working environment. Our employment conditions contribute to that. What we offer:

• A gross monthly salary between € 3.493 and € 5.504 (scale 10) for full-time employment (36 hours per week). You will also receive an 8% holiday allowance, an 8.3% end-of-year bonus, and, depending on the position, an allowance of 47% to 72% for working irregular hours.
• From 1 July 2025 an increase in salary with 3%.
• 176 vacation hours per year based on a 36-hour working week.

You will be working in the department of IQ Health. A department that is very active in teaching, research and consultation/service delivery. IQ Health originated from the former departments of Health Evidence and IQ healthcare.

IQ Health is a state-of-the-art research and teaching centre, where methods of research are themselves the subject of study and development. Through education and consultation (services), we help Radboudumc as well as external organisations in applying the right methods of research.

Preventing illness, improving care! In this way we contribute to the mission of the Radboudumc; To have a significant impact on health and healthcare.

The IQ Health department employs about 200 colleagues. The heart of the IQ Health department consists of six Research & Education (R&E) groups. These groups work together internally and externally (nationally and internationally) on topical themes and are connected to the two core tasks of education and research. In addition, the groups provide external consultation.

Radboudumc
Welcome to Radboud university medical center (Radboudumc), where our research groups strive for innovative solutions that make impact on health and healthcare. We challenge the status quo to overcome current and future health challenges. Our goal is to shape the future of healthcare for generations to come. Our focus is on prevention, sustainability, and meaningful care, which we achieve through our in-depth understanding of disease mechanisms, clinical science, public health research, medical technology and data science. Our approach is centered on breakthroughs that can truly enhance personalized healthcare and public health.

At Radboudumc, a comprehensive range of research programs provide the compass for our research efforts. Each program has a clear goal, where collaboration within and outside our organization is highly valued. We integrate care, education and research in partnership with our patients to ensure that our research programs have significant impact on health and healthcare. We invite you to join us in our mission to create a healthy future for all.

Any questions? Or wondering what it is like to work at Radboudumc? Then email to Marijn de Bruin, Full Professor. Use the Apply button to submit your application.