The research group of Prof.dr. C. Uyl-de Groot and V.P. Retèl conduct Health Technology Assessment (HTA) and health economic research alongside the translational pathway and aim to contribute to accelerate patient access in case of promising innovations. Health economic studies and HTA have become increasing important from early stages of research that lead to clinical innovations. They help to inform policy- and reimbursement decisions, to guide the translational research process, and to anticipate on technological and environmental developments.

The Project
HER2+ breast cancer affects around 390.000 women annually worldwide (i.e. 3 patients every 4 minutes). Over the last decade, polychemotherapy and HER2-targeted therapies have improved patient´s survival; however, the reality is that most patients could be cured with less intense, toxic, and costly drugs. The DEFINITIVE project is an European-wide, multidisciplinary project which will prospectively validate the clinical effectiveness of a new biomarker, proving its ability to significantly i) reduce toxicities, ii) improve quality of life and ii) reduce direct and indirect costs, while maintaining efficacy endpoints and survival outcomes in patients with early HER2+ breast cancer.

The ESHPM of the Erasmus University Rotterdam is responsible for the work package (WP) concerning Health Technology Assessment (including health economic, patient-related, organizational and ELSI aspects). A multi-center, international cost-effectiveness analysis will be performed, including implementation scenarios with relevant stakeholders.

We seek a highly motivated and ambitious PhD student with a strong affinity for health economics, healthcare policy and computational science.

PhD specific job requirements

We are searching for a researcher with the following expertise and experience:

• You have a Master degree in Health Sciences OR Health Economics OR Epidemiology OR Computational Science OR Econometrics OR related degree
• You are interested in applied decision modelling in the field of health care (our connection with the clinic is very strong);
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal (English). Dutch language skills are not required, but could be handy.

We offer you an internationally oriented and varied job in an enthusiastic team, with excellent working conditions in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU).

The start date of this position is 01-FEB-2025 and you will be based at [class.26087] in Erasmus School of Health Policy & Management (ESHPM). This position is for 1 fte. We offer a 1,5-year position which will be extended to 4 years based on performance. The salary ranges from a minimum of € 2.872 to a maximum of € 3.670 gross per month Scale PhD on a fulltime basis (38 hours), in accordance with the CAO-NU.

Everything else we offer you, you can find below!

• Everything you need for a good work-life balance: the option to work from home in consultation with your manager, 41 days of paid leave with a 40 hour contract, 8% holiday pay and an 8.3% end-of-year bonus, and a significant discount on a subscription for our on-campus sports centre!
• Sustainable, inclusive and diverse work environment with an open culture, where you can be yourself and we pay attention to each other and to the world around us. Make the most of our bicycle budget, or join networks such as Young@EUR, FAME or QuEUR.
• Time and space for your development in the broadest sense: development days and a personal career budget and free access to our university library.
• Good pension with ABP that EUR contributes 2/3rds towards, discounts on various collective insurances with Zilveren Kruis Achmea, Loyalis, and Allianz, and compensation for travel, working from home and home internet use.
• Are you currently combining your job with parenthood, or do you want to do so in the future? EUR offers partially paid parental leave and fully paid additional birth leave for partners, and our campus features a daycare (daycare not paid for by EUR).
• Moving to the Netherlands for your job with EUR? Then you may be eligible for the 30%-ruling if you meet the requirements of the Belastingdienst (Dutch tax agency), and with our Dual Career Programme we will also help your partner find the right job for them.

Erasmus University Rotterdam

Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR) is an internationally oriented university with a strong social orientation in its education and research, as expressed in our mission ‘Creating positive societal impact’. EUR is home to 4.100 academics and professionals and almost 33.000 students from more than 140 countries. Everything we do, we do under the credo The Erasmian Way – Making Minds Matter. We’re global citizens, connecting, entrepreneurial, open-minded, and socially involved. These Erasmian Values function as our internal compass and create EUR’s distinctive and recognizable profile. From these values, with a broad perspective and with an eye for diversity, different backgrounds and opinions, our employees work closely together to solve societal challenges from the dynamic and cosmopolitan city of Rotterdam. Thanks to the high quality and positive societal impact of our research and education, EUR can compete with the top European universities. www.eur.nl.

Faculty / Institute / Central service
Erasmus School of Health Policy & Management is part of Erasmus University Rotterdam and is responsible for a bachelor and three (international) master programs on healthcare management, policy, and economics, serving more than 1,600 students. The most recent international research audit has assessed ESHPM's research as excellent (20 out of 20 points). ESHPM values empirical, multidisciplinary research with high impact. It is firmly rooted in the world's leading Dutch health care system and actively participates in international research projects, in particular EU funded projects. The position offered is within the Department of ESHPM. ESHPM is located in the Bayle Building on the Woudestein campus of Erasmus University Rotterdam and has a strong connection to Erasmus MC. The research group of both Prof.dr. C Uyl-de Groot and Prof.dr. V.P. Retèl focus on Health Technology Assessments alongside the translational research process in oncology.