In the research project 'The use of closed doors in dementia wards. Comparing cultural and moral perspectives as well as contexts for mutual learning in the cross-border region', you will explore if and when a closed door is acceptable for residents with advanced dementia, how this is dealt with in practice and if/how this can be improved. To this end, you will conduct comparative social research in the regions of North Netherlands and North-West Germany (Niedersachsen), investigating for which residents the question is relevant, what interventions are already in place and what differences and similarities (cultural, moral and legal) exist.

This project forms an excellent opportunity to conduct cross-border scientific research to develop improvement strategies based on the exchange of knowledge and learning from each other. In addition, it will include strong collaboration with the field and therefore will directly contribute to the clarification of pressing questions on how to deal with wandering behavior in persons with advanced dementia.

The project is a subproject of the larger cross border research project Comparison of healthcare structures, processes and outcomes in the Northern German and Dutch cross-border region II (CHARE-GD II). This project is a collaboration of the UMCG, department of General practice & elderly care Medicine with the University of Oldenburg, Department of Health Services Research of the School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Division of Ethics in Medicine. The postdoctoral researcher will be supervised by both research groups and may use support from research assistants.

Main responsibilities
As a Postdoctoral researcher in this project, your job is to:
- Conduct a literature study on strategies to deal with wandering behavior among residents with advanced dementia in nursing homes.
- Coordinate and execute qualitative and quantitative data collection at 8 nursing home wards (4 in Groningen region, 4 in Oldenburg region).
- Analyze the data together with the research team.
- Organize site visits between the regions.
- Work in close collaboration with researchers in the project team, as well as stakeholders in the nursing homes.
- Report and present your findings for both scientific and non-scientific audiences.

For the execution of this research project, we are looking for a postdoctoral researcher. We are searching for a candidate with a PhD degree and a background in social sciences (e.g., empirical ethics, health sciences, medical anthropology or psychology), with knowledge of/ experience in qualitative and quantitative research methods and a good language skills of the Dutch, German and English languages.

Specific requirements that are desired are that:
- You have knowledge of (or affinity with) one or more of the following themes: dementia, nursing home care, empirical ethics, cultural and psychological dynamics as well as legal contexts.
- You are analytically minded, independent, with self-confidence, perseverance and organizational skills.
- You are able to cooperate with various stakeholders, such as care providers and client representatives (client council), while keeping the various interests in mind.
- You have good social skills and can communicate clearly with all stakeholders.
- You are willing to travel between the regions of Groningen en Oldenburg.

We offer a temporary position (25,2 - 28,8 hours a week) for 18 months in an international working environment.

Your salary will be a maximum of € 4.615,- gross per month (scale 10), depending on your qualifications and relevant experience, based on a full-time appointment. In addition, the UMCG will offer you 8% holiday pay, and 8.3% end-of-year bonus. The conditions of employment comply with the Collective Labour Agreement for Medical Centres (CAO-UMC).

Department of General Practice and Elderly Care Medicine

The postdoctoral research will be affiliated to the department of General Practice and Elderly Care Medicine, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen. The section of Elderly Care Medicine takes part in the Academic Network Elderly Care UMCG existing of 20 elderly care organizations in the North and East of the Netherlands. For more info: www.UNO-UMCG.nl. Its mission is to improve quality of care for people with dementia and other vulnerable elderly in the nursing homes and at home. With the use of academic research, knowledge transfer and support for implementing knowledge in practice.