Outbreaks of infectious diseases pose an increasing threat to public health. Especially in the case of zoonoses (infections that can be transferred from animals to humans) healthcare providers from multiple sectors (human, veterinary and public health) must cooperate to control the outbreak. This requires them to make highly complicated decisions which have a big impact on public health. Unfortunately, we know from prior research that this multidisciplinary cooperation is not always optimal. This could potentially contribute to outbreaks that last longer and cause more harm for human and veterinary health.

At the Persuasive Health Technology lab, we try to contribute to improving such cooperation. We do so within several projects, but always through the use of technology to support the involved stakeholders.

The project that you will be involved in evaluates (and potentially improves) a recently developed serious game aimed at healthcare professionals. Aim of the game is to increase the awareness of the complexity of decision making and of the importance of multidisciplinary cooperation. By means of an innovative research methodology (eye-tracking research) the persuasiveness and learning qualities of the game are evaluated. Questions that you will work on, include:

• How can eye-tracking research optimally be applied to improve the game?
• What kinds and forms of in-game and post-game feedback lead to the greatest learning effect?
• How can the game’s functionality and design be optimized?

To find an answer to these (and more) questions, you will apply several different research methodologies. The basis of your research are usability tests, through eye-tracking software. Additionally, you will perform interviews with potential end-users and other stakeholders. You do so to get a good grasp of possibilities to further improve the game. Your findings and recommendations will make a crucial contribution to the success of the serious game for healthcare professionals. You will execute the research in close cooperation with a postdoc researcher and another junior researcher.

You are a highly motivated, enthusiastic and pro-active candidate with excellent communication and cooperative skills. You have completed a Master in (Health) Psychology, Conflict Risk and Safety, Health Sciences, Human Media Interaction, or in another relevant field. Affinity with health, technology and research methodologies is a prerequisite. Prior experience with eye-tracking research will work in your favor. Excellent command of the Dutch language (in understanding, speaking, reading and writing) is required.

INFORMATION AND APPLICATION

For more information please contact dr. Nienke Beerlage-de Jong, n.beerlage-dejong@utwente.nl, tel. 053-4893517. Submit your application (including motivational letter, curriculum vitae and your contact information) online before 11th of September, 2019 to the University of Twente at the attention of dr. Nienke Beerlage-de Jong.

We offer a full-time position as a junior researcher for the period from October 1 (earlier start is possible) – December 31, 2019. Your main responsibility will be to carry out research. In accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, your salary will be between € 2.579,- to € 2.709,- gross per month based on your experience gross per month. Additionally, the University of Twente provides excellent facilities for professional and personal development, a holiday allowance (amounts to 8%) and an end-of-year bonus (amounts to 8.3%), and a number of additional benefits.

The University of Twente. We stand for life sciences and technology. High tech and human touch. Education and research that matter. New technology which leads change, innovation and progress in society. The University of Twente is the only campus university of the Netherlands; divided over five faculties we provide more than fifty educational programmes. We have a strong focus on personal development and talented researchers are given scope for carrying out groundbreaking research.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability status. Because of our diversity values we do particularly support women to apply.

Faculty of Behavioural, Management and Social sciences
The Faculty of Behavioural, Management and Social sciences (BMS) strives to play a pivotal role in understanding, co-engineering and evaluating innovation in society. Innovation is driven by advances in technology. Through 'social engineering' these technological advances are embedded in society befitting human needs and behaviour, within proper public and private management and business structures. For this the faculty of BMS upholds high quality disciplinary knowledge in psychology, business administration, public administration, communication science, philosophy, educational science and health sciences. All with a focus on the challenges in society. Research is strongly connected to our institutes: Mesa+ Institute, TechMed Centra and Digital Society Institute.