PhD position on Health Systems Engineering (HSE)

Job description

We are looking for a highly motivated, enthusiastic, and curious PhD candidate to join our innovative Health Technology and Services Research (HTSR) section at the Faculty of Behavioural Management and Social Sciences. In this dynamic and inclusive section of around 35 researchers personal and professional development is central and there is plenty of room for social activities. With this position you can contribute to making the healthcare system future-proof, while keeping it accessible and of high quality.

The Challenge

The increasing demand for healthcare services, driven by an aging population and the rapid development of new technologies, is placing pressure on our healthcare system. In order to make healthcare future-proof we have to focus on how technology and organization of healthcare can improve the efficiency of healthcare. But, as the healthcare system is a complex network involving numerous actors, such as healthcare providers, insurers, and patients, each with their own roles and incentives, this is a huge challenge. Therefore, adopting a systems approach is essential to enable efficient and sustainable healthcare.

Job description

We are seeking a PhD candidate who wants focus on Health Systems Engineering (HSE), that is, work at the intersection of healthcare, technology and society. This requires a deep understanding of both healthcare and technology, and solid quantitative skills. This PhD position aims to develop methods to evaluate and optimize healthcare strategies by adopting a health systems engineering approach. We will first develop a quantitative method that determines how many working hours of various healthcare staff is required to treat or manage a disease. This will be done using a variety of data, including both patient data and business information data from healthcare organizations as well as national registries of demographics and healthcare expenditures. This method allows us to take into account the required healthcare staff in simulation models that evaluate and optimize the impact of technology on sustainability of the healthcare system, which will be the further focus of the research project. In this research project you will collaborate with various healthcare organizations and you will contribute to the sustainability of our healthcare system.

Your profile

We look for a highly motivated researcher who is driven by curiosity and:

• Has affinity with statistical or mathematical modelling, and programming experience, preferably in R;
• Has, or will shortly acquire, a quantitative master degree (for example, in Health Economics, Econometrics, Industrial Engineering, Applied Mathematics/Statistics, or Computer Sciences)
• Has a good team spirit and likes to work in an interdisciplinary environment;
• Is able to perform independent research and willing to develop writing and publication skills;
• Possesses good communication skills and an excellent command of English. Dutch proficiency would be desirable.

Our offer

We encourage high responsibility and independence, while collaborating with colleagues, researchers, other university staff and partners. We follow the terms of employment by the Dutch Collective Labour Agreement for Universities (CAO). Our offer contains: a 4-year PhD position (for at least 0.8 FTE) with a qualifier in the first year; excellent mentorship in a stimulating research environment with excellent facilities to promote a good work-life balance; and a personal development program within the Twente Graduate School. It also includes:

• Gross monthly salary of € 2.770 in the first year, increasing each year up to € 3.539 in the fourth year;
• Excellent benefits including a holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary, an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%, and a solid pension scheme;
• 29 holidays per year in case of full-time employment;
• A training program as part of the Twente Graduate School where you and your supervisors will determine a plan for a suitable education and supervision;
• Free access to sports facilities on campus;
• A family-friendly institution that offers parental leave (both paid and unpaid);
• A full status as an employee at the UT, including pension, healthcare benefits and good secondary conditions are part of our collective labour agreement CAO-NU for Dutch universities.

Information and application

Does this sound appealing? Please apply before 1 July 2025 and include:

• A cover letter (maximum 2 pages A4), explaining your specific interest, qualifications, motivations to apply for this position;
• A Curriculum Vitae, including a list of all courses attended and grades obtained, and, if applicable, an overview of publications, as well as up to three references;
• Applicants with a non-Dutch qualification and who have not had secondary and tertiary education in English can only be admitted with an IELTS-test showing a total band score of at least 6.5, internet. TOEFL test (TOEFL-iBT) showing a score of at least 90, or a Cambridge CAE-C (CPE).

Additional information can be acquired via email to Dr. Anoukh van Giessen (a.vangiessen@utwente.nl).

About the department

At HTSR ( https://www.utwente.nl/en/bms/htsr/), multidisciplinary expertise is combined to support decisions on health innovation development, evaluation, optimization, and implementation. Research focuses on quantitative analyses supporting strategies to improve the efficiency and sustainability of healthcare systems. The HTSR section is part of the Faculty of Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences (BMS, https://www.utwente.nl/nl/bms/) and the Technical Medical Center (TechMed, https://www.utwente.nl/nl/techmed/), a leading innovation hub of the University of Twente.

About the organisation

The Faculty of Behavioral, Management and Social sciences (BMS) aims to play a key role in understanding, jointly developing and evaluating innovations in society. Technological developments are the engine of innovation. As a technical university that puts people first, we tailor them to human needs and behavior and use social engineering to integrate them into society. We also ensure adequate governance at public and private level, and robust, inclusive and fair organizational structures. We do this by developing, sharing and applying high-quality knowledge in Psychology, Business Administration, Public Administration, Communication Sciences, Philosophy, Educational Sciences and Health Sciences. Our research and education in these disciplines revolves around tackling and solving societal challenges. The research programs of BMS are closely linked to the research of the UT institutes Mesa+ Institute for Nanotechnology, TechMed Center and Digital Society Institute.

As an employer, the Faculty of BMS offers work that matters. We equip you to create new possibilities for yourself and for our society. With us, you will become part of a leading technical university with increasing, positive social impact. We offer an open, inclusive and entrepreneurial atmosphere, in which we encourage you to make healthy choices, for example through our flexible, adaptable benefits.