PhD position Sustainable Behavior Change in Dutch Healthcare

Project description
This PhD project aims to support the transition towards a more sustainable and circular healthcare sector by investigating and promoting sustainable behavior change among healthcare professionals, focusing on the reduction of waste and the adoption of sustainable alternatives to disposable products.

The Dutch healthcare sector is a significant contributor to environmental pollution, accounting for 7% of national CO₂ emissions, 4% of waste, and 13% of raw material use-figures that place it above the international average. Much of this environmental impact results from the extensive use of single-use products, such as gloves and pads. While this is considered to be important for hygiene and infection prevention, it generates vast amounts of waste. With growing governmental attention and the introduction of the Green Deal on Sustainable Healthcare, there is an urgent need to transition towards a more sustainable and circular healthcare sector.

The project consists of two main research lines

1. Behavior change strategies for reducing waste: You will develop and evaluate questionnaires and intervention strategies to understand and promote waste-reducing behaviors among healthcare professionals.
2. Adoption of sustainable alternatives to single-use products: You will investigate the factors influencing the acceptance and use of sustainable alternatives, and design and assess interventions to encourage their adoption.

All interventions will be co-developed with healthcare professionals, stakeholders, and practitioners to ensure practical relevance and effectiveness. The project will mainly employ quantitative research methods and will be conducted in close collaboration with hospitals and partners in the North of the Netherlands as part of the Care2Change consortium.

Your tasks as a PhD candidate are

- Developing and conducting three or four different research projects.
- Presenting and discussing research results through papers in various national and international meetings and conferences.
- Actively collaborating with partners and stakeholders within and outside the project.
- Writing and defending a PhD thesis within four years.
- Participate in teaching tasks as part of the program.

In the context of this project, the theme of sustainable behavior change is central. We are genuinely open and curious to learn how applicants see themselves contributing to this project. We invite you to make a case for how your background, interests, and experience make you a good fit. Whether your strengths lie in environmental or social psychology, communication science or any other discipline related to behavior change—we’re interested in being persuaded by you.

The successful candidate will become part of the Care2Change consortium, work in a transdisciplinary and interdisciplinary team, and collaborate closely with hospitals and stakeholders in the North of the Netherlands. This PhD project offers a unique opportunity to take a creative and innovative approach, if desired, by exploring out-of-the-box behavior change strategies in cooperation with project partners. Thereby, the project aims to contribute to behavior change among healthcare professionals, and the transformation of the Dutch healthcare sector towards a more sustainable future.

Organisation
The University of Groningen has an international reputation as a dynamic and innovative centre of higher education offering high-quality teaching and research. Balanced study and career paths in a wide variety of disciplines encourage the 34,000 students and researchers to develop their own individual talents. Belonging to the best research universities in Europe and joining forces with prestigious partner universities and networks, we are truly an international place of knowledge.

Campus Fryslân is the ambitious eleventh and newest faculty of the University of Groningen, located in Leeuwarden. Campus Fryslân is an interdisciplinary faculty that works closely together with regional, national and international partners on worldwide (sustainability) challenges and local solutions. The sustainable development goals of the United Nations thus serve as an important guideline.

- A (Research) Master's degree in a relevant area, such as Environmental or Social Psychology, Communication and Information Science, or a related discipline.
- Fluency in spoken English and Dutch, along with experience in academic writing in English.
- Demonstrated quantitative research skills, with experience in developing and testing behavior change interventions as an advantage.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills, with the ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
- Initiative, flexibility, and structured thinking, combined with effective communication and networking skills to engage with diverse stakeholders.

In accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, the University of Groningen offers you:

- A salary of € 2,901 gross per month in the first year, up to a maximum of € 3,707 gross per month in the final year, based on a full-time position
- A holiday allowance of 8% gross annual income
- An 8.3% end-of-the-year allowance
- A temporary 1.0 FTE appointment for a specified period of four years. The candidate will first be appointed for twelve months. After nine months, an assessment will take place of the candidate’s results and the progress of the PhD project, in order to decide whether employment will be continued. Prolongation of the contract is contingent on sufficient progress in the first year to indicate that a successful completion of the PhD thesis within the contract period is to be expected.
- A PhD training program is part of the agreement and the successful candidate will be enrolled in the Graduate School of the Faculty. As part of the program, the PhD researcher will take part in the Career Perspectives Series, which provides a thorough preparation on the career after the PhD, inside or outside academia. During the course of the doctorate, the PhD researcher will develop research and teaching competencies as well as leadership skills. For this, the PhD researcher will receive a tailor-made programme from the GSCF.
- The PhD candidate is expected to teach a maximum of 350 hours per year
- The PhD candidate is expected to teach during the first and second year of their appointment for up to max. 350 hours per year, based on a full time contract.
- Excellent work-life balance.
- Willingness to move and reside in The Netherlands.

The appointment will commence as soon as possible. In case of VISA application, we need at least three months to complete the administrative process after the selection phase.

Dr Josefine Geiger
j.l.geiger@rug.nl

Dr Bianca Dijkstra, Coordinator of the Graduate School Campus Fryslân
cf-gs@rug.nl