The current health(care) ecosystem still consists of the traditional parties – care providers, patients, government, and insurance companies – and the license to operate has remained the same for all parties involved. New players, such as the big tech companies, are entering the arena with stronger investment capacity and new rules for engagement, with a range of innovations that make use of Algorithmic Decision Systems (ADS). They may disrupt healthcare systems by by-passing traditional practices, channels and funding structures. At the same time, they may also contribute to streamline and strengthen the current healthcare regime. This projects identifies the new players of ADS services, their products and business models, and their strategies regarding innovation, marketing and regulation.

This project is part of the Gravitation programme Public Values in the Algorithmic Society (ALGOSOC). The Gravitation programme is an initiative by the Dutch government to support excellent research in the Netherlands. The funding is reserved for scientific consortia that have the potential to rank among the world's best in their field. ALGOSOC is a response to the urgent need for an informed societal perspective on automated decision-making. Funded by the ministry for Education, Culture and Science for a period for 10 years, research in the ALGOSOC programme will develop a deep understanding of the systemic changes that automated decision making entails for core public institutions, for society, and for how public values are realized. The research will focus on three sectors: justice, health and media. The programme brings together researchers in law, communication science, computer science, media studies, philosophy, public governance, STS, economy and social sciences from five Dutch universities (Amsterdam, Utrecht, Tilburg, Delft and Rotterdam). Together, the ALGOSOC community will develop solutions for the design of governance frameworks needed to complement technology-driven initiatives in the algorithmic society.

The tasks include:

• developing, conducting, and publishing research on innovation strategies regarding new services that make use of Algorithmic Decision Systems (ADS) in (health)care;
• writing a PhD dissertation;
• contributing to the overall programme in terms of events, research meetings, activities;
• collaboration with other researchers within the ALGOSOC consortium;
• participating in teaching on innovation at the BA level at Utrecht University.

Developing a societal vision on automated decision making concerns us all. We believe that a diversity of perspectives in our consortium will be important in developing an inclusive societal vision and strive therefore also in our hiring policy for encouraging applicants from diverse backgrounds. We are committed to creating an environment of mutual respect, inclusiveness, equal opportunities with room for situated experiences, diverse perspectives, and ideas to flourish. This commitment applies to our research, organisation, room for flexibility, training, and community activities as well as our hiring strategy.  

The PhD candidate we are looking for:

• has a clear research interest in the topic of the project;
• holds a Master's degree in innovation studies, economics, business administration or related discipline;
• has an interest to work with quantitative and qualitative empirical methods;
• has an excellent written and spoken command of English;
• has the ability, willingness, and commitment to do autonomous work in a multidisciplinary team that includes legal scholars, communication scholars, ethics and data scientists.

Are you interested in this project, but do you think you are not the person we are looking for? Please do apply, as we encourage all qualified applicants, including minorities, women, people with disabilities, and members of other groups underrepresented in academia. For more information, please read our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) programme.

We wish to create a consortium that consists of persons who each contribute in their unique way to the team. Complementarity, rather than homogeneity, is what we are looking for.

You will be offered a temporary position (0.8 - 1.0 FTE), initially for 18 months with an extension to a total of four years upon a successful assessment in the first year, and with the specific intent that it results in a doctorate within this period. The position starts in Q1 of 2023. The gross salary ranges between €2,541 in the first year and €3,247 in the fourth year of employment (scale P according to the Collective Labour Agreement Dutch Universities) per month for a full-time employment. Salaries are supplemented with a holiday bonus of 8% and a year-end bonus of 8.3% per year.

In addition, Utrecht University offers excellent secondary conditions, including an attractive retirement scheme, (partly paid) parental leave and flexible employment conditions (multiple choice model). For more information, please visit working at Utrecht University.

A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University, the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major societal themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Sustainability.

Utrecht University's Faculty of Geosciences studies the Earth: from the Earth's core to its surface, including man's spatial and material utilisation of the Earth - always with a focus on sustainability and innovation. With 3,400 students (BSc and MSc) and 720 staff, the faculty is a strong and challenging organisation. The Faculty of Geosciences is organised in four Departments: Earth Sciences, Human Geography & Spatial Planning, Physical Geography, and Sustainable Development.