Vacancy PhD candidate 'Early health technology assessment of oncologic innovations in radionuclide therapy'

Job description

Are you keen on contributing to the development of innovative oncologic radionuclide therapies in a sustainable and affordable way? We have an excellent opportunity for you!

Radionuclide therapies have the potential to become a major pillar in future cancer care. Radionuclide therapy consists of a molecule that targets cancer cells, and is coupled to a radioisotope emitting tissue-damaging radiation. When administered into a patient, the therapy binds cells in or near the tumours and kills them through radioactivity.

While their safety and anti-tumor efficacy profiles are very promising, radionuclide therapies can also be very expensive, and may increase the burden on care staff. It is therefore important that innovations in radionuclide therapy are assessed from an early stage of development. Using the approach of early Health Technology Assessment (early HTA), insights can be provided in if and how innovations can provide value for money, and contribute to the sustainability of the healthcare system. In addition, early HTA can inform the design of future studies. 

You will be working at the Radboudumc science department IQ Health and the department of Medical Imaging. 

We are seeking a motivated PhD student to join an interdisciplinary project aimed at:

• Assessing the potential added value of innovations in radionuclide therapy in prostate and other types of cancer.
• Assessing the role of early HTA in the innovation process for radionuclide therapies.
• Adapting methodology of early HTA for the specific use in radionuclide therapy.

• Develop and apply methods for assessing the potential value of specific innovations in radionuclide therapy.
• Engage with healthcare professionals and other stakeholders through interviews and focus groups.
• Contribute to the development of a framework for incorporating early HTA in the innovation process of radionuclide therapy.
• Disseminate research findings through reports, publications, and presentations.

Place of work

You will be working at the Radboudumc science department IQ Health and the department of Medical Imaging. The project team is highly interdisciplinary, including colleagues from (pre)clinical research and healthcare professionals. IQ Health originated from the former departments of Health Evidence and IQ healthcare.
 
IQ Health is a state-of-the-art research and teaching centre, where methods of research are themselves the subject of study and development. Through education and consultation (services), we help Radboudumc as well as external organisations in applying the right methods of research.
 
Preventing illness, improving care! In this way we contribute to the mission of the Radboudumc; To have a significant impact on health and healthcare.
 
The IQ Health department employs about 200 colleagues. The heart of the IQ Health department consists of six Research & Education  (R&E) groups. These groups work together internally and externally (nationally and internationally) on topical themes and are connected to the two core tasks of education and research. In addition, the groups provide external consultation. 

At IQ Health you will join the Health Systems & Health Technology Assessment (HeSHTA) group, which is internationally recognized for research, training and education on developing and applying health systems and HTA methodology and processes, including stakeholder deliberation and early HTA. The group includes a great mix of people from backgrounds, nationalities and career phases. While you are responsible for your own project, there are ample opportunities to participate in other research or teaching activities. 

Your work will be in very close collaboration with the nuclear medicine section of the department of Medical Imaging. This section consists of a large group of preclinical, translational and clinical researchers in close collaboration to an innovative clinical team providing day-to-day diagnostic support and care for cancer patients. Research at the Radboudumc Medical Imaging department rates #3 worldwide, only preceded by Harvard and Stanford. Our collaborators both have experience in development and clinical practice of radionuclide therapy and application of HTA in research.

Radboudumc
Welcome to Radboud university medical center (Radboudumc), where scientific breakthroughs are born through the curiosity and passion of our collaborating researchers in a vibrant environment. We believe trust and excitement are crucial elements to achieving our goals, and we approach our research as teams and with the utmost rigor to make a significant impact on health and healthcare. Our researchers are driven by their fascination with the biological, psychological, and sociological mechanisms underlying health and healthcare. They collaborate with partners from all over the world to improve health outcomes for all. Radboudumc unites patient care, research, education, and corporate learning, which allows us to approach our mission to shape the health and healthcare of the future in an innovative and person-centered way.

Our ambition is to lead the way in the pursuit of prevention, sustainability, meaningful care. We believe that through our research, we can significantly improve the health and well-being of society. Join us on our mission to make a difference in healthcare. Become a part of our community of gifted researchers, professionals or patient partners who are dedicated to making a real impact on population health and healthcare. 

Read what it is like to do a PhD at the Radboud University Medical Center.

Profile

We are looking for an enthusiastic, curious, highly motivated and open colleague researcher with:

• An MSc in the field of biomedical sciences, health sciences, medicine, innovation science or similar.
• Strong analytical and quantitative skills. 
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills for stakeholder engagement, including conducting interviews and focus group discussions. 
• Fluency in spoken and written English. Command of the Dutch language is not strictly required, however it is strongly appreciated given the regular interactions with many different Dutch stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently and as part of an interdisciplinary collaborative team. We hold team science in high regard.
• A track-record and interest in health technology assessment (HTA) and health economic modeling.
• Some familiarity with radionuclide therapy is preferred, but being open to engage in this field is required. 

Employment conditions

At Radboud university medical center, you build on your future. We are committed to providing the best care, education, and research. And we are true to our word, because we help you develop and seize opportunities and give you the room to grow. As an employer, we believe that employees should feel vital and happy at work in all stages of life. We are also committed to creating a healthy and safe working environment. Our employment conditions contribute to that. What we offer:

• The salary depends on eduation. Scale 10 will be offered to MSc medical graduates; you will start at scale 10, step 0(€ 3.493 full-time). Those holding degrees in other disciplines will be offered scale 10A: upon commencement of employment, you will start at scale 10A, step 0 (€ 3.017 full-time). You will also receive an 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% end-of-year bonus.  
• From 1 July 2025 an increase in salary with 3%.
• 176 vacation hours per year based on a 36-hour working week. 

And there is more..

• An Employment Conditions Selection Model, allowing you to use part of your employment conditions to your choosing. For example, you can use your gross salary to purchase additional vacation hours or hours for providing informal caregiving. Or, for example, you can use your gross end-of-year bonus to purchase a bicycle, so you pay less tax.
• Plenty of opportunities for personal development. You can take a variety of courses in our online learning environment. 
• Your well-being and vitality are a priority. For example:
  • Save time for work-life balance leave. 
  • You can enjoy unlimited access to a variety of activities five days a month and take advantage of all the facilities at Radboud Sport & Culture for only €27.05 per month (instead of €41)
  • Healthy Professionals program to help you manage your energy. 
  • Company Support Team and a personal coach if you are going through a life-changing event.
  • Financially beneficial working less through a Generation Scheme as you approach state pension age.
• Support in achieving a good work-life balance at every stage of your life. Examples:
  • Advice and courses on, for example, 'Millennial dilemmas' and 'Your Career After 57'.
  • Activities at our own mindfulness center.
  • Informal caregiving consultations if you have questions about juggling work and caregiving responsibilities at home.
• In addition to statutory pregnancy and maternity leave, Radboud university medical center offers 26 weeks of parental leave, nine of which are paid. In addition, as a partner you can take a maximum of five weeks of supplementary partner leave. During supplementary partner leave and parental leave, we supplement the UWV benefit up to 100% of your salary.
• Pension accrual at the ABP Pension Fund. Radboud university medical center pays 70% of the pension premium. 
• Discounts on supplementary packages of two group health insurances and ten other types of insurance, from home insurance to legal assistance.
• An allowance for your commuting costs of € 0.18 per km up to a maximum of 40 km one way. If you use public transport to commute, we will fully reimburse the public transport costs (2nd class). If you regularly work from home, you will receive a working from home allowance of € 2.40 per day.

Application procedure

Are you ready to think further for our patients and our care? We would like to receive your application before 29 May 2025. We will then contact you shortly. The job interviews take place in the morning of 20 of 24 June 2025. We would appreciate it if you would take this into account.

Good to know

• This position requires a Certificate of Conduct (VOG).
• You can find more information about our application procedure and frequently asked questions on our website.
• Will you be our new colleague? Then you will be given the time and space to get to know your role, your workplace, and your colleagues. An induction day for all new colleagues is an integral part of your onboarding program. 

We are recruiting for this position ourselves. Unsolicited marketing is not appreciated, but do feel free to share the vacancy in your network!

Contact

Any questions? Or wondering what it is like to work at Radboudumc? Then email to 
Janneke Grutters, Professor of early Health Technology Assessment. Use the Apply button to submit your application.