Postdoc Healthcare Governance, Innovation and Transdisciplinarity

At the Athena Institute of the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam we invite applications for a postdoctoral researcher in the EU Horizon project Nature-based interventions for improving health and well-being.

This position is part of a European research project in which you will lead a transdisciplinairy study that explores the needs and expectations of key stakeholders within and beyond healthcare systems in Portugal, Germany, Greece, Peru and the Netherlands to engage with so-called nature-based therapies (NBTs). Nature-based therapies (NBT) are seen as treatments that promote well-being and support health prevention and rehabilitation through dedicated programmes in green spaces. Successful uptake of such therapies in present-day healthcare systems in Europe requires transformations in health care governance.

Your duties
You will lead the co-design of interaction platforms and guidelines that enable context-sensitive uptake NBTs in healthcare practices. The stakeholders you will engage with include authorities and regulators of green spaces, private and public healthcare sector representatives, planning authorities, representatives from the food, education and innovation sectors, and more.

Furthermore, you will work with an assistant researcher on the same topic as well as facilitate an Amsterdam-based field study in the Bijlmermeer neighbourhood of Amsterdam-Zuidoost, performed by partners in the project, which investigates the short-, medium- and long-term benefits of nature-based therapeutic programmes in a quantitative manner.

Requirements:

• A completed PhD in science, technology & society studies, governance transformations, participatory design, innovation studies, or a related (inter)discipline; an additional background in the sciences is a plus;
• Experience with participatory research methods that co-shape technologies and practices to address societal challenges in an equitable way;
• Proven ability to be a strong collaborator within interdisciplinary teams (listening, flexible, adaptive, pro-active);
• An (inter)national network relevant to the position;
• Good command of Dutch and excellent command of English. Given the extensive collaboration with both international as well as Dutch partners, a good command of Dutch language is required for the position.

As a university, we strive for equal opportunities for all, recognising that diversity takes many forms. We believe that diversity in all its complexity is invaluable for the quality of our teaching, research and service. We are always looking for talent with diverse backgrounds and experiences. This also means that we are committed to creating an inclusive community so that we can use diversity as an asset.

We realise that each individual brings a unique set of skills, expertise and mindset. Therefore we are happy to invite anyone who recognises themselves in the profile to apply, even if you do not meet all the requirements.

Salary Benefits:

A challenging position in a socially engaged organisation. At VU Amsterdam, you contribute to education, research and service for a better world. And that is valuable. So in return for your efforts, we offer you:

• a salary of minimum € 3.378,00 (Scale 10) and maximum € 5.331,00 (Scale 10) gross per month, on a full-time basis. This is based on UFO profile Researcher 4. The exact salary depends on your education and experience.
• a position for 0.6 FTE. Your employment contract will initially last 1 year with a possible extension conditional upon assessment of adequate functioning until the end of the project: 30-11-2027. If new funding is acquired after that date, it is possible to extend the appointment to a maximum duration of 4 years. The starting date can be as soon as possible.

We also offer you attractive fringe benefits and regulations. Some examples:

• A full-time 38-hour working week comes with a holiday leave entitlement of 232 hours per year. If you choose to work 40 hours, you have 96 extra holiday leave hours on an annual basis. For part-timers, this is calculated pro rata.
• 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus
• solid pension scheme (ABP)
• child daycare facilities available on campus
• the possibility to work partly from home

De Boelelaan 1105