Do you have a background in the social sciences  or empirical philosophy and have affinity with biomedical sciences or life sciences? We are looking for a PhD candidate to carry out a research project on enabling and constraining conditions for user participation, in particular among socioeconomic disadvantaged groups, in the design of digital self-monitoring for cardiovascular disease. This PhD project will employ qualitative empirical methods and philosophical analysis and is part of larger R&D consortium called Mydigitwin.

The Mydigitwin consortium consists of data scientists, medical imaging analysts, cardiologists, data science companies and patient groups. The aim is to develop a digital platform and an app in which citizens can directly compare their personal health data with big-data reference data, in order to inform them whether they are 'at risk' for cardiovascular diseases. The underlying idea is that these digital technologies contribute to self-management, preventative health behaviour and improved interaction with health care professionals.

However, research in the fields of science and technology studies (STS) and medical humanities shows that citizens, including patients, can have values and use practices that are different from those envisioned by technology developers. This PhD project will employ qualitative empirical methods, such as interviewing, participatory observation and document analysis and philosophical analysis to study e.g. why and how do citizens, in particular socioeconomic disadvantaged groups, use / not use such technologies in their daily life? What impact does the knowledge of 'being at risk' have on the daily lives of citizens as well as on the possible emergence of new social inequalities? By organizing co-creation and constructive technology assessment workshops, you will actively stimulate and analyse stakeholder discussions on ethical and societal dilemmas pertaining to digital technologies.

As a PhD candidate in this project, you will be expected to write a PhD thesis, publish first-author papers, and present your work-in-progress at international conferences. You will also be expected to collaborate closely with other partners in the consortium, e.g. by setting up empirical studies and discussing preliminary findings. Part of your workload will consist of teaching activities at our institute, and assisting staff members in their courses at the BSc and/or MSc level.
Your teaching load may be up to 10% of your working time.

• You have a Master's degree in science and technology studies (STS), the social sciences, medical ethics, political or empirical philosophy, or a related field.
• You have an affinity for biomedical or life sciences.
• You have experience with qualitative, empirical social scientific research.
• You possess a feeling for philosophical reflection.
• You have a proactive attitude in initiating research and interactive stakeholder workshops.
• A good verbal and written command of Dutch is essential.
• You are proficient in written and spoken English.

Fixed-term contract: You will be employed for an initial period of 18 months, after which your performance will be evaluated. If the evaluation is positive, the contract will be extended by 2.5 years (4 year contract) or 3.5 years (5 year contract).

• It concerns an employment for 0.8 (5 year contract) - 1.0 FTE (4 year contract).
• The gross starting salary amounts to €2,541 per month based on a 38-hour working week, and will increase to €3,247 from the fourth year onwards (salary scale P).
• You will receive 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus.
• You will be employed for an initial period of 18 months, after which your performance will be evaluated. If the evaluation is positive, the contract will be extended by 2.5 years (4 year contract) or 3.5 years (5 year contract).
• You will be able to use our Dual Career and Family Care Services. Our Dual Career and Family Care Officer can assist you with family-related support, help your partner or spouse prepare for the local labour market, provide customized support in their search for employment and help your family settle in Nijmegen.
• Working for us means getting extra days off. In case of full-time employment, you can choose between 29 or 41 days of annual leave instead of the legally allotted 20.

Work and science require good employment practices. This is reflected in Radboud University's primary and secondary employment conditions. You can make arrangements for the best possible work-life balance with flexible working hours, various leave arrangements and working from home. You are also able to compose part of your employment conditions yourself, for example, exchange income for extra leave days and receive a reimbursement for your sports subscription. And of course, we offer a good pension plan. You are given plenty of room and responsibility to develop your talents and realise your ambitions. Therefore, we provide various training and development schemes.

You will be part of the Institute for Science in Society (ISiS) at Radboud University (Nijmegen, Netherlands). ISiS is an interdisciplinary research institute within the Faculty of Science, whose aim is to encourage the societal and philosophical reflection on science through dialogue and collaboration between the various research institutes of the faculty. Its mission is to analyse, assess and improve the societal embedding of new developments in science and technology through research, education and outreach, and to understand how society is shaping science and vice versa. Your daily supervisors will be Dr Lotte Krabbenborg and Dr Katleen Gabriels from Maastricht University.


Radboud University

We want to get the best out of science, others and ourselves. Why? Because this is what the world around us desperately needs. Leading research and education make an indispensable contribution to a healthy, free world with equal opportunities for all. This is what unites the more than 24,000 students and 5,600 employees at Radboud University. And this requires even more talent, collaboration and lifelong learning. You have a part to play!