Research

You will perform a full HTA of proton therapy compared to photon therapy from a societal perspective. This includes for example an analysis of the societal costs of both treatments (e.g. radiation costs, out-of-pocket expenditures, productivity costs) but also the benefits. Survival and patient reported outcomes including health-related quality of life will be collected and analysed for the assessment.

In addition to the HTA of proton therapy, this PhD position offers the opportunity to refine and improve currently available HTA methodologies (e.g. survival extrapolation techniques).

Background

Radiotherapy is often used in the treatment of patients with cancer. While photon radiotherapy has been available for a long time in the Netherlands, there are currently three appointed centres that offer proton radiotherapy. Proton radiotherapy is different from photon therapy since it makes use of very local and precise dose deposition on tumors. This causes less dose to the surrounding normal tissue, resulting in less side effects.

Proton therapy has shown benefits, however it is more expensive than current used photon therapy and requires high investment costs. Since health care costs are rising and resources are scarce, it is important to consider the societal impact in addition to the clinical impact of new technologies.

A model to determine the cost-effectiveness of proton therapy and to describe the value over photon therapies can be made using a Health Technology Assessment (HTA). This includes an economic evaluation to determine the cost-effectiveness.

Requirements

To be considered for the PhD position you are expect to have:

• a university education in (health)economics, econometrics, biostatistics, health economics, policy & law or a similar course

• experience in HTA research and/cost-effectiveness analysis

• affinity with quantitative research

• experience with data analysis in Excel and statistical packages (e.g. Stata, SPSS, R)

• strong analytical skills

• fluent speaking and writing in Dutch and English

In addition to these requirements, we expect you to be able to work independent, accurate and show initiative.

Fixed-term contract: You will be appointed as PhD student at EUR for a period of 4 years, starting with a temporary contract for 1.5 years followed by a second temporary contract for 2.5 years.

You will be appointed as PhD student at EUR for a period of 4 years, starting with a temporary contract for 1.5 years followed by a second temporary contract for 2.5 years. Remuneration will be in accordance with the PhD scale set by the Collective Labor Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU). Fulltime work will pay € 2.325.- before taxes in the first year, going up to € 2.972.- in the fourth year. EUR offers a holiday bonus of 8% and a year-end allowance of 8.3% per year and there are generous opportunities for additional education.

The organisations

Erasmus School of Health Policy & Management (ESHPM) of Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR) is leading in the Netherlands with its educational and research activities targeted at policy and management issues in health care.

A PhD position is offered within the Health Technology Assessment section - a section distinguished by independent and excellent research in health technology assessment, health economics and outcomes research. The position is in close collaboration with Holland Proton Therapy Center (HollandPTC).

HollandPTC is an independent outpatient center for proton therapy, scientific research and education, at the TU Delft. It is one of the 3 appointed centres that offer proton therapy in the Netherlands to patients with cancer.