PhD student Appropriate care for people with neuromuscular diseases

Appropriate care is a key concept in the currently ongoing transformation of Dutch healthcare. The move towards appropriate care is an answer to the increasing healthcare scarcity due to rising costs and a shortage of healthcare professionals.

While shaping appropriate care, it is important to pay special attention to vulnerable groups, who may be disproportionately affected, for instance, by cost control measures. People with neuromuscular diseases, in particular children, are an example of such a vulnerable group, among other reasons because they often need expensive treatments.

With this study you will provide valuable insight into the experiences and needs of people with neuromuscular diseases regarding treatment and care. Moreover, you will explore ethical norms and values related to appropriate care for people with neuromuscular diseases. What are the right steps to take in current and future developments in healthcare for these people?

You will write a PhD thesis (based on scientific publications) in which appropriate care for people with neuromuscular diseases is studied. In addition, you will work on your professional development, for example by attending courses at the Graduate School of Life Sciences. You will also contribute to the Department’s teaching task, mainly in our Medical Humanities courses at the Faculty of Medical Sciences.

You have a master's degree in (bio)ethics, philosophy, medicine, health sciences, medical sociology, medical anthropology. You are excited about working at the crossroads of ethics and medicine. Experience with (qualitative) empirical research methods is highly valued. You have proficient oral and writing skills in English and Dutch.

Please include in your application: a motivation letter in which you explain your interest in the position, Curriculum Vitae and when applicable, an overview of past and current research and teaching activities. The deadline for submission is 6 July 2025. Interviews will take place on Friday 11 July and Wednesday 16 July. The appointment will be for a total of 48 months. The initial appointment will be for a period of 12 months, which will be extended upon a positive evaluation.

The maximum salary for this position (36 - 36 hours) is € 3.939,00 gross per month based on full-time employment.

In addition, we offer an annual benefit of 8.3%, holiday allowance, travel expenses and career opportunities. The terms of employment are in accordance with the Cao University Medical Centers (UMC).

Our interdisciplinary department Bioethics & Health Humanities is a group consisting of full, associate and assistant professors and PhD students. Together we perform research, teach, and advise on a variety of topics in the fields of bioethics (including clinical ethics, research ethics and ethics of biomedical innovation), history of medicine, narrative medicine and health law.