Do you find it important that education is inclusive and equitable? Would you like to contribute to current insights on identity safety in the context of health professions education? This PhD project focuses on gaining understanding of identity safety among students in health professions programmes and the role of educators in fostering this construct.

Job Description
One of the priorities of the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is to ‘ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all’. In the context of health professions education (HPE), this has resulted in pleas for the diversification of the student population. However, students from underrepresented groups tend to experience less sense of belonging within their HPE learning environments and they are more likely to experience identity threat. Hence, the importance of ‘identity safety’ is increasingly emphasised. But, how could health professions educators foster identity safety among students? And how could faculty development support educators in doing so?

To address these timely questions, we offer a PhD position of 1.0 fte for 4 years. In this position, you will conduct four studies in which you will identify and integrate the perspectives of students and educators. In addition, you will explore and use a variety of theoretical frameworks and research methods throughout your project.

You will collaborate with an (international) team of PhD supervisors, as well as with colleagues affiliated with the Taskforce Faculty Development within the Department of Educational Development and Research of the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences.

Requirements
We are looking forward to welcoming a candidate with a (research) master of science (MSc) in education, psychology, health or any related domain, with a particular interest in educational research. Do you have experience with conducting research? Do you feel comfortable with discussing sensitive topics professionally? Do you consider yourself a creative thinker? Are you independent, but open to receiving feedback? We might be looking for you!

Are you motivated about the project but unsure if you are ticking all the boxes described above? Please apply for the position. Maastricht University is committed to promoting and nurturing a diverse and inclusive community. We believe that diversity in our staff and student population contributes to the quality of research and education at UM, and strive to enable this through inclusive policies and innovative projects led by teams of staff and students.

What we offer
As PhD candidate at SHE on the role of health professions educators in fostering identity safety at Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, you will be employed by the most international university in the Netherlands, located in the beautiful city of Maastricht. In addition, we offer you:

• Good employment conditions. The position is graded in scale P according to UFO profile PhD, with corresponding salary based on experience ranging from €2770,00 and €3539,00 gross per month (based on a full-time employment of 38 hours per week). In addition to the monthly salary, an 8.0% holiday allowance and an 8.3% year-end bonus apply.
• An employment contract for a period of 12 months with a scope of 1,0 FTE. Upon a positive evaluation, an extension of 3 years will follow.
• At Maastricht University, the well-being of our employees is of utmost importance, we offer flexible working hours and the possibility to work partly from home if the nature of your position allows it. You will receive a monthly commuting and internet allowance for this. If you work full-time, you will be entitled to 29 vacation days and 4 additional public holidays per year, namely carnival Monday, carnival Tuesday, Good Friday, and Liberation Day. If you choose to accumulate compensation hours, an additional 12 days will be added. Furthermore, you can personalize your employment conditions through a collective labor agreement (CAO) choice model.
• As Maastricht University, we offer various other excellent secondary employment conditions. These include a good pension scheme with the ABP and the opportunity for UM employees to participate in company fitness and make use of the extensive sports facilities that we also offer to our students.
• Last but certainly not least, we provide the space and facilities for your personal and professional development. We facilitate this by offering a wide range of training programs and supporting various well-established initiatives such as 'acknowledge and appreciate'.

The terms of employment at Maastricht University are largely set out in the collective labor agreement of Dutch Universities. In addition, local provisions specific to UM apply. For more information, click here.

Maastricht University
Why work at Maastricht University?
At Maastricht University (UM), everything revolves around the future. The future of our students, as we work to equip them with a solid, broad-based foundation for the rest of their lives. And the future of society, as we seek solutions through our research to issues from all around the world. Our six faculties combined provide a comprehensive package of study programmes and research.

In our teaching, we use the Problem-Based Learning (PBL) method. Students work in small groups, looking for solutions to problems themselves. By discussing issues and working together to draw conclusions, formulate answers and present them to their peers, students develop essential skills for their future careers.

With over 22,300 students and more than 5,000 employees from all over the world, UM is home to a vibrant and inspiring international community.

Are you drawn to an international setting focused on education, science and scholarship? Are you keen to contribute however your skills and qualities allow? Our door is open to you! As a young European university, we value your talent and look forward to creating the future together.

Click here for more information about UM.

Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences
At the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences (FHML), everything revolves around healthy living. Our research and education are not solely focused on recovery, but place a strong emphasis on prevention, health preservation, and health promotion. Our aim is to use our knowledge and expertise to genuinely contribute to the well-being of individual people as well as society in total.

In, research, and healthcare, FHML is closely collaborating with the academic hospital in Maastricht, together forming the Maastricht University Medical Center (MUMC+). FHML is strongly connected in education, research, and care with the Maastricht academic hospital, together with which it forms the Maastricht University Medical Centre (MUMC+).

FHML, which is the largest faculty of Maastricht University, is formed by an (inter)national community of employees and students. The faculty offers a wide range of Dutch and English-taught bachelor's and master's programs in innovative educational concepts in which the emphasis is always on building bridges to practice.

The multidisciplinary research of the FHML focuses on a number of carefully chosen topical current themes. In addition to research aimed at gaining new insights, it also concerns research whose results can be directly translated into concrete applications and innovations. The implementation of the various research programs is organized in our six graduate schools and two institutes.

Department of Educational Development and Research
This department supports innovation and research of bachelor’s, master’s and postgraduate training programs within the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences (FHML), Maastricht University in various domains, such as instruction and e-learning, assessment, faculty development, and evaluation or quality improvement.
https://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/research/educational-development-research

School of Health Professions Education (SHE)
The School of Health Professions Education (SHE) is a graduate school for research, education and innovation in health professions education. SHE’s ambitions are captured in our vision: excellent healthcare requires evidence-informed models for the education of future and current healthcare professionals.
https://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/research/school-health-professions-education-0

Curious?
Are you interested in this exciting position but still have questions? Feel free to contact Dr. Boukje Compen at b.compen@maastrichtuniversity.nl for more information.

Applying?
Or are you already convinced and ready to become our new PhD candidate at SHE on the role of health professions educators in fostering identity safety? Apply now, no later than August 5, 2024, for this position.

The vacancy is open for internal and external candidates. In case of equal qualifications, internal candidates will be prioritized.