The two successful candidates will be selected to work on a research project coordinated by the Centre for Biomedical Ethics and Law (an interdisciplinary centre that performs research on ethical and societal issues with regard to innovations in biomedical research and health care, www.cbmer.be), and the Life Sciences & Society Lab (an interdisciplinary group that studies the social aspects and implications of the life sciences, https://soc.kuleuven.be/ceso/life-sciences-society-lab ). Staff members of these centres publish their work in international peer reviewed journals, participate in national and international research projects, and provide advice to academic and professional organizations.

Project

Two researchers will be hired on a project funded by the KU Leuven Research Fund focused on decision-making and communication patterns related to tests results from next generation sequencing (NGS) technologies. NGS is becoming increasingly embedded in clinical practice, leading to significant benefits in the form of treatment for patients. Although guidelines have tried to standardize reporting practices across laboratories, previous research has shown that diverging norms and practices remain with regard to reporting of results related to the clinical question, but also unsolicited and secondary findings and communication to patients.

Through this project we aim to explore (a) how laboratory scientists and clinicians decide what information to report; (b) how this information is reported and communicated with patients; (c) how genetic test results are (or are not) being shared within families; and (d) what responsibilities clinicians have towards non-disclosure. The project will use a combination of methodologies, including ethnographic studies, semi-structured interviews and normative ethical analysis. The project will help to better understand the factors that play a role in decision-making, the role of standardization, and communication patterns generated by NGS in the clinical context, and work towards policy development.

Profile

A successful PhD candidate should preferably have:

• Degree in bioethics, sociology, science and technology studies, health sciences, biomedical sciences, medicine, or a relevant other discipline;
• An outstanding record of undergraduate and master's degree work;
• Highly motivated candidate with strong interest in the ethical and social aspects of biomedical innovations and a demonstrable affinity with the project;
• Experience with empirical qualitative methods in the social and health sciences (e.g., document analysis, interviews, ethnography)
• Proven proficiency in English, both written and orally. At least one of the selected candidates will be a native Dutch speaker or will have excellent Dutch language skills;
• Strong writing and analytical skills;
• Good communication and organization skills;
• Ability to meet deadlines and complete a PhD thesis within four years;
• Capacity to work both as an independent researcher and as part of a team;
• Ability to work in an interdisciplinary context;
• Basic knowledge of human genetics and genetic technologies is a bonus.

We are offering two full time appointments (100%) as a PhD student for a period of 4 years, either within the Centre for Biomedical Ethics and Law (Faculty of Medicine, KU Leuven) or the Life Sciences & Society Lab (Faculty of Social Sciences, KU Leuven). The starting date can be negotiated.