PhD candidate in the field of cancer screening

PhD candidate in the field of cancer screening

Estimate and compare benefits, harms and cost-effectiveness of cancer screening programmes of various countries in Europe with the use of microsimulation.

Job description

You will estimate and compare benefits, harms and cost-effectiveness of cancer screening programmes of various countries in Europe. Furthermore, you will evaluate the impact of new technologies, new programmes such as lung and prostate cancer screening, or risk-based programmes. You will further develop a tool in which countries can simulate their own screening programmes and help countries in the interpretations of the model results.

Cancer is the second leading cause of mortality in European Union: there are more than 1.3 million cancer deaths each year, accounting for 26% of all deaths. One of the most effective and cost-effective interventions to reduce cancer mortality is screening for cancer. Many European countries have implemented screening programmes for breast, cervical and colorectal cancer. However, these programmes are not implemented optimally.

In the EUCanScreen project, collaborators across Europe aim to assure sustainable implementation of high-quality screening for breast, cervical and colorectal cancers, as well as implementation of the recently recommended screening programs - for lung, prostate and gastric cancers and therefore facilitate the reduction of cancer burden and achieving equity across the EU. You will evaluate the current cancer screening programmes with the use of a microsimulation model and extend the model to incorporate new technologies and settings. In addition, you will further develop a web-based tool to allow countries to use the simulation model by themselves.

In addition, you will collaborate with consortium members and attend consortium meeting at various places in Europe. The results of the project will be published in international journals and will lead to policy recommendations.

Work environment

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 evaluation of screening research line group is involved in a large number of projects investigating the effectiveness of screening to prevent cancer or death from cancer. We use microsimulation modeling to quantify the effects of screening for a wide range of diseases to guide public health policy on the optimal implementation fo screening and help individuals make an informed choice about screening participation. Our department has a high reputation in this field, both among national policy makers (Ministry of Health, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM)) as well as internationally (United States National Cancer Institute, European Commission).

Qualifications and skills

The position is offered to MSc graduates in Health Sciences, Public Health, Epidemiology, Medicine, Mathematics, Econometrics, Biostatistics or a related field. Key skills that the candidate will be developing and working with are quantitative/qualitative analysis, scientific communitcation (oral and written), programing, and working in a team.

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.

Before you apply please check our conditions for employment.

Terms of employment

• The gross monthly salary amounts a maximum of € 3677,- (scale OIO), depending on your level of education and relevant experience, based on a fulltime working week of 36 hours.
• You will receive a contract for 4 years.
• Excellent fringe benefits, such as a 13th month that is already paid out in November and a individual travel expense package.
• An international officewhich aids you in preparing for you arrival and stay.
• Pension insurance with ABP. We take care of 70% of the monthly contribution.
• Special benefits, such as a incompany physiotherapist and bicycle repairer. Also there is a gym where you can work on your fitness outside of work.

More information

For more information about this position, please contact professor Eveline Heijnsdijk via e.heijnsdijk@erasmusmc.nl. 

If you are excited by the thought of this position and would like to apply, please do so by using the application form on our website. No agencies please.