Vacancy: PhD position Epidemiologist: Determinants of COVID-19 vaccination uptake (english)

This vacancy has been recommended by RIVM

Functieomschrijving
Do you want to contribute to optimizing the uptake of vaccines for everyone who needs it? And are you interested in health equality? Then this PhD position might be something for you!

The Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Surveillance (EPI)

At RIVM, more than 2300 colleagues work towards a healthy population in a sustainable, safe and healthy living environment. The Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Surveillance (EPI) maps the state of public health with regard to infectious diseases in the Netherlands. Local, regional and national data on infectious diseases are collected, processed, analysed and then reported for the purpose of adequate implementation of infectious disease control. In addition, epidemiological research is initiated and carried out on the basis of the analysis of surveillance data and of substantive knowledge, in order to deepen insight into (determinants of) transmission and to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions. This is done to support control and policy. EPI, in close collaboration with the other departments within the RIVM Centre for Infectious Disease Control (CIb) and other partners, researches the impact of the National Immunisation Programme, as well as prevention and control of sexually transmitted infections, respiratory infections, gastrointestinal infections, pathogens that are transmitted by animals (zoonoses), antimicrobial resistance, and infections in hospitals and nursing homes. We also assess the burden and cost of disease and analyse the impact and effectiveness of control measures.

Purpose of the function

COVID-19 vaccination is an important intervention to prevent deaths and severe disease due to COVID-19. The beneficial impact of this can be maximized by improving vaccine coverage. Insights into determinants of vaccination is crucial for this, since it can directly inform health promotion activities and it is also a basis for further research into reasons for suboptimal coverage.

Initial studies by RIVM and others have found some evidence of determinants of vaccination, whereby documenting important heterogeneity in uptake in different population subgroups. For the latter it is relevant whether those groups with highest risks of severe outcomes are optimally reached. Also health equity is an important aim of the government to improve health and reduce overall nequity.

The data-infrastructure in the CBS Remote Access environment will be expanded with new data sources to further study determinants of COVID-19 vaccination, aiming to improve health related to covid-19. In this PhD, you will study the influence of for example socio-economic status, country of birth, ethnicity, household data, as well as environmental characteristics such as degree of urbanization. In addition, you will be involved in studies to assess the impact of interventions to improve uptake. This involves collecting relevant data, as well as methodological studies on causal inference.

You will have an appointment within the National Immunisation Programme (RVP) department.

In the proposed PhD trajectory, close collaboration will be sought with the ongoing PhD within EPI on determinants for vaccination in the National Immunisation Programme as well as other experts in Municipal Health Services, CBS and others, including academic groups.

Activities and tasks

Expand your knowledge on determinants of vaccination uptake, health promotion models and how this can contribute to improvement of health and reduction of health equity;
Perform data cleaning and validation;
Perform in depth epidemiological analyses on large databases;
Publish and share results in (international) scientific publications and/or conferences;
Work both independently and in a team on your projects.

Functie-eisen
Requirements

The ideal candidate will have:

A strong interest in epidemiology of infectious diseases;
Finished master degree in epidemiology, data science, statistics or another relevant degree;
Mastered quantitative research methods and analysis techniques;
A strong interest in developing complex statistical analyses, including causal inference;
Have a scientific mind-set and be a team-player;
Communicate and write scientifically in English.

Arbeidsvoorwaarden
Salarisomschrijving: Salary
The salary (36 hour working week) increases in 4 steps from scale 8, salary number 0 (€ € 2.817,- gross per month) to scale 8, salary number 8, (€ 3.344,- gross per month) in fourth year.
Dienstverband: Arbeidsovereenkomst voor bepaalde tijd
Contractduur: Temporary assignment for the duration of 48 months
Maximaal aantal uren per week: 36

Overige arbeidsvoorwaarden
Naast het salaris ontvang je een Individueel Keuzebudget (IKB). Het IKB bestaat uit geld (16,37% van je bruto jaarsalaris) en tijd. Met het IKB maak jij de keuzes die bij jou passen en kun je een deel van je arbeidsvoorwaarden zelf samenstellen. Je kunt er bijvoorbeeld voor kiezen om een deel van je maandinkomen te laten uitbetalen wanneer jij dat wenst. Ook kun je dit budget omzetten in verlof en andersom of besteden aan fiscaal vriendelijke doelen. De Rijksoverheid hecht sterk aan persoonlijke groei en loopbaanontwikkeling en biedt daarvoor tal van mogelijkheden. Tot de secundaire arbeidsvoorwaarden behoren onder meer verschillende studiefaciliteiten, bedrijfsfitness, volledige vergoeding van je OV-reiskosten woon-werkverkeer en gedeeltelijk betaald ouderschapsverlof.

Bijzonderheden
Additional information

Please address your (digital) motivation letter to Hester de Melker.

Acquisition in response to this vacancy is not appreciated.

Solliciteren?
RIVM nodigt je uit op hun site te solliciteren. Via deze knop verlaat je de site ga je direct naar het sollicitatieformulier. Het Rijk hecht waarde aan een diverse en inclusieve organisatie. Werken in divers samengestelde teams maakt ons effectiever, innovatiever en het werk leuker. Eenieder wordt daarom uitgenodigd te solliciteren.

Date of placement: 1 maart 2023