You will be assessing the value of AI for early breast cancer. Moreover, you will be part of the KEMTA evidence assessment group, directly contributing to NICE decision making on the reimbursement of health technologies in the UK.

Job Description
We are seeking a junior researcher/PhD candidate on the topic of (early) Health Technology Assessment (HTA). HTA is a multidisciplinary process that uses explicit methods to determine the value of a health technology at different points in its lifecycle. The purpose is to inform decision-making to promote an equitable, efficient, and high-quality health system. Specifically, you will be involved as a member of the PRE-ACT project focusing on the cost-effectiveness of predicting radiotherapy side effects using explainable AI for patient communication and treatment modification, and as a member of the Maastricht External Assessment Group (EAG) supporting reimbursement decisions made by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). This combination of projects will provide you with excellent opportunities to develop your skills and knowledge while working in inspiring multidisciplinary teams with highly experienced scientists and on societally relevant cutting-edge topics.

The PRE-ACT project (https://preact-horizoneurope.eu/) will use rich datasets from three patient cohorts to design and implement an AI tool that predicts the risk of side effects, including arm lymphedema in breast cancer patients, and provides an easily understood explanation to support shared decision-making between the patient and physician. The PRE-ACT consortium combines the expertise in computing, AI, radiation oncology, medical physics, genetics, psychology and health economics that is necessary to adequately tackle this issue. The PhD research will focus on the health economics with the objective to demonstrate the cost-effectiveness of the AI-assisted approach compared with current clinical practice in terms of cost per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) gained by also considering the utility beyond health outcomes.

NICE provides guidance to the NHS in England on the clinical and cost effectiveness of selected new and established technologies. NICE carries out appraisals of health technologies at the request of the Department of Health. Guidance produced by NICE on health technologies is also applied selectively in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. For more information on the technology appraisal and diagnostic assessment programs, see www.nice.org.uk. NICE works with external independent academic organizations and EAGs. Since 2011, KEMTA is part of this. Currently, 9 persons at KEMTA are participating in the NICE project. Their work as part of the evidence assessment group (EAG) consists of the assessment of the health economic part of company submissions (single technology appraisals (STA)), as well as the development of assessment reports of, mostly diagnostic, interventions (Diagnostic Assessment Reports (DAR)). Within the STA framework, their role is to critically assess and report about model-based cost-utility analyses that have been produced by a third party (the pharmaceutical company) within a strict 8-week time frame. The decision model may be programmed in MS Excel or R. A representative of the EAG attends the NICE committee meetings. The DAR framework involves the development of a de novo health economic decision model for a pre-specified problem, as well as writing a report and presenting the work at NICE committee meetings in the UK. You will participate in the NICE project and perform STAs and DARs in collaboration with health economic colleagues in Maastricht and the colleagues in the UK who are responsible for the clinical part of the STAs and DARs. The work consists of developing and critically assessing model-based health economic evaluations and reporting on this. This work presents an opportunity to play a role in health policy making at a national level.

Requirements
We are looking for a curious, proactive, and ambitious academic (MSc) in health sciences (HTA, epidemiology, economics, econometrics, statistics or equivalent) with:

• A strong quantitative and analytical streak;
• Experience with health economic modelling is considered an advantage;
• You are expected to have the ambition to obtain a PhD in HTA;
• You are able to communicate clearly about complex topics, allowing you to work in an interdisciplinary setting;
• You have the ability to work individually, but at the same time you are excited to be part of a multidisciplinary international team;
• The job requires the ability to work in a structured way and meet deadlines;
• Proficiency in English is required.

What we offer
As a PhD candidate at the 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 PhD according to UFO profile PhD, with corresponding salary based on experience ranging from €2770,00 in the first year and €3539,00 gross per month in the fourth year (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
You will be positioned at the department of Clinical Epidemiology and Medical Technology Assessment (KEMTA) and the Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI).

KEMTA is part of the Maastricht University Medical Center+ and participates in various clinical research projects and initiates independent research. The employees of the department are also involved in teaching activities. See for more information: https://www.mumc.nl/research/kemta

CAPHRI is a UM research school and works towards better health for everyone through innovative solutions for healthcare and public health care. CAPHRI builds bridges between science and society by conducting research with an inclusive and participatory approach. The research focuses on prevention and innovation ranging from public - and primary health care, to person-oriented long-term care. See for more information: www.caphri.nl

Curious?
Are you interested in this exciting position but still have questions? Feel free to contact Manuela Joore at m.joore@mumc.nl or Bram Ramaekers at bram.ramaekers@mumc.nl for more information.

Applying?
Or are you already convinced and ready to become our new PhD candidate? Apply now, no later than June 30, for this position.

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

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. We encourage you to apply for this position.