PhD position: The Power of Personalization Revolutionizing Osteoarthritis Treatment

PhD @University of Twente posted 3 weeks ago

Job Description

Are you eager to make a real impact on the lives of people with osteoarthritis? We are seeking a motivated, enthusiastic, and curious PhD candidate to join our Health Technology and Services Research (HTSR) section at the Faculty of Behavioural Management and Social Sciences. At HTSR, you’ll be part of a collaborative and inclusive team of around 35 scientists, where personal growth, professional development, and a strong sense of community are highly valued. You will contribute to the TopTreat consortium by analysing and optimising new personalized strategies for osteoarthritis diagnosis and care, based on collected clinical data and technological innovations (TopTreat-onderzoek artrose).

The Challenge

By 2040, osteoarthritis will become the most prevalent chronic disease, leading to high healthcare costs, disability, and large societal burden. Current prognostic markers and treatment options are limited, with little knowledge to tailor interventions to individuals. TopTreat will develop a platform and new diagnostic tools to collect detailed osteoarthritis disease characteristics and identify subgroups with rapid disease progression or poor treatment response. This will enable more personalized treatment ultimately improving the health of thousands!

Job description

In addition to optimizing treatment outcomes in osteoarthritis, Health Technology Assessment (HTA) is essential for ensuring efficient and sustainable healthcare. Therefore, we are looking for a PhD candidate who wants to combine expertise in healthcare, technology, and quantitative analysis. Using data from the TopTreat consortium, you will identify prognostic markers to support personalized treatment, and assess their health economic impact through simulation modeling. Beyond this unique project, this position offers an exciting opportunity to advance simulation techniques in HTA!

Your profile

We look for a motivated, inquisitive researcher who meets the following criteria:

  • Holds or is about to complete a quantitative Master’s degree, for example in Health Economics, Econometrics, Industrial Engineering, Data Science, Technical Medicine, Biomedical Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Biostatistics, Systems Engineering, or Computer Science.
  • Technical Expertise: Proficient in programming languages such as R or Python, with strong skills in data analysis, modeling, and simulation.
  • Knowledge of machine learning techniques and flexible simulation methods – such as Agent-Based Simulation or Discrete Event Simulation – is considered an advantage, as is an interest in the dynamics of healthcare systems.
  • Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Thrives in an interdisciplinary environment, demonstrating strong teamwork, adaptability and a collaborative mindset.
  • Communication Skills: Communicates effectively with an excellent command of English. Dutch proficiency is desirable but not required.

Our offer

A 4-year PhD position (for at least 0.8 FTE) with a qualifier in the first year and flexibility to partially work from home. We offer the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues, researchers, university staff, and external partners. We provide excellent mentorship in a stimulating research environment, along with excellent facilities to support a healthy work-life balance.

  • Gross monthly salary of €2,901 in the first year, increasing each year up to €3,707 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 of the Twente Graduate School where you and your supervisors will define 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

Submit your application before June 30, 2025. We will fill this position as soon as we find the right candidate, so we encourage early applications.

Your application must include:

  • A cover letter (maximum 2 pages A4), explaining your specific interest, qualifications, and 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).

For additional information, please contact Prof. Dr. Erik Koffijberg at h.koffijberg@utwente.nl or Dr. Michelle Kip at m.m.a.kip@utwente.nl.

modeli Proficient in programming languages such as R or Python with strong skills in data analysis

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