You will be using a range of quantitave methods to study the validity and performance of health-related quality of life instruments in the general population and among patient groups to help to improve these instruments.

Health-related quality of life is a valuable measure of overall health as it encompasses both physical and mental health conditions, as well as the effects of these conditions on an individual's quality of life. The EQ-5D instrument is widely used to measure health-related quality of life in patient populations and general populations. However, in some populations, such as persons with hearing problems or mental health problems, the psychometric performance of the EQ-5D is limited, resulting in impaired validity and discriminative power of the EQ-5D. Several solutions to improve the psychometric performance of the EQ-5D have been proposed, including adding extra questions to the EQ-5D instrument.

You will work on a project that aims to produce comparable quantitative evidence of the performance of additional questions alongside the EQ-5D in a large, multi-country sample of the general population.
In addition, you will investigate the validity and performance of other instruments that are used to measure health-related quality life. You will work in close collaboration with researchers from different universities with a comprehensive mixture of relevant backgrounds, including epidemiology, public health, economics and psychology to analyse and interpret health-related quality of life data. This project will allow you to gain experience with a broad range of quantitative research methods, applied to addressing a highly relevant challenge in population health and patient care.

• The position is offered to MSc graduates in Health Sciences, Public Health, Psychology, Epidemiology, Medicine, Health Economy or a related field.
• Key skills that the candidate will be developing and working with are quantitative analysis and scientific communication (oral and written).
• The department further highly supports the candidates who want to further develop their skills in acquisition, multidisciplinary collaboration, leadership, goal-oriented working, creativity, initiative, engagement, vision, and visibility.
• We offer the opportunity for candidates to deepen their affinity with quantitative research and acquire further experience in advanced data analysis, modelling, and writing of scientific papers.

• You will receive a temporary position for 1 year.
• The gross monthly salary is € 5.504,- (scale 10), depending on your level of education and relevant experience, based on a full-time working week of 36 hours.
• Excellent fringe benefits, such as a 13th month that is already paid out in November and a individual travel expense package.
• An International Office which aids you in preparing for you arrival and stay.
• Pension insurance with ABP. We take care of approximately 2/3 of the monthly contribution.
• Special benefits, such as a incompany physiotherapist and bicycle repairer. And there is also a gym where you can work on your fitness after work.

Erasmus MC

A healthy population and excellence in healthcare through research and education. This is what Erasmus MC stands for. Conducting groundbreaking work, pushing boundaries and leading the way. In research, education, and healthcare. We are practical people with a high level of expertise, working hard to improve and renew the healthcare of today and the public health of tomorrow.

At the department of Public Health, we are dedicated to improve population health at local, national, and international level through excellent research and education. Our research is characterised as highly multidisciplinary and is focused on the development and use of innovative methods. Collaboration with and direct impact on practice and policy are at the heart of our work. The research will be conducted within the research line Health Technology Assessment and Implementation. This research line harbours a great deal of expertise on methodology for developing quality of life and health technology assessment (HTA) research. Our research group has a strong focus on methodology of outcome measurements and the quantification of disease burden and costs. We collaborate with several clinical departments to conduct efficiency studies.