We are looking for a highly motivated and curious PhD candidate who will work on the integration of technology into the professional identity of students in (mental) healthcare. The successful applicant will join the Psychology, and Technology section of the Human Institutional Behavior (HIB) department at the Faculty of Behavioural Management and Social Sciences.
Students in the field of (mental) health are driven by their passion to make a profound, positive impact on the lives of patients. As technology-enhanced healthcare continues to advance, it presents us with exciting opportunities to enhance healthcare efficiency and extend our reach to more patients. On the other hand, technological advancements can also challenge the traditional role of the healthcare professional as a careprovider, and thereby threaten their professional identity (e.g., Jussupow, Spohrer, Heinzl, & Link, 2018).
To pave the way for the successful integration of innovative technologies in (mental) healthcare, our students must not only embrace these new tools but also embark on a journey to refine and reaffirm their professional identities: What does it mean to be a health care professional with increasing technological innovations that are reshaping the landscape of patient care?
In close collaboration with study programs in (mental) healthcare, this PhD project aims to examine the professional identity development of students as future health professionals in relation to the implementation of innovative health technologies. In this way, the PhD research will contribute to supporting future (mental) healthcare professionals in dealing effectively and in a meaningful way with the expanding role of technology in (mental) healthcare, ensuring their effectiveness and meaningful engagement in patient care.
Your job
As a PhD student, you will implement mixed methods to understand the different ways students in the (mental) healthcare field give meaning to their professional identity and the role of technology within it. Our ultimate goal is to develop tools and interventions that will guide and support these students in seamlessly integrating technology into their professional identities.
You will start with conducting focus groups and interviews to identify and develop personas representing different types of students in the (mental) healthcare field and how they integrate technology into their professional identity. These personas will inform the adaptation of a tool called the Career Compass (see https://thecareercompass.app/cc-1) that, in the current form, provides insight into STEM students’ professional identity. The adapted version will measure students’ personality, values, interests, competencies and technology-related attitudes and aims to identify the diversity in professional identities in (mental) healthcare in relation to technology.
Next, you will conduct a large-scale cross-sectional study across students in (mental) healthcare to validate the Career Compass and use Latent Profile Analysis to identity the different health care students’ professional identities in relation to technology. Based on the outcomes of the analyses, you will develop a feedback tool for health care students to provide insight in their professional identity and develop interventions to facilitate students’ further development in relation to the integration of technology in their studies or internship.
The research will have an interdisciplinary approach, which is also mirrored in the composition of the supervision team. The main supervisors will be dr. Marlon Nieuwenhuis, prof. dr. Matthijs Noordzij and prof. dr. Maaike Endedijk.
Reference: Jussupow, E., Spohrer, K., Heinzl, A., & Link, C. (2018). I am; we are-conceptualizing professional identity threats from emerging technologies.
YOUR PROFILE
An MSc-degree in (social, health or educational) psychology, health sciences, educational science or a related discipline (also candidates close to graduating are encouraged to apply)
Experience with (advanced) quantitative research methods and data management
Experience with or an interest in developing interventions and tools
Demonstrably good (scientific) writing skills
Good English conversation skills, writing skills, and presentation skills. As you will be working with students and teachers in degree programs in the Netherlands, proficiency in Dutch is a pre
A professional attitude and conduct that includes organisational sensitivity, pragmatism, and good communication skills
The ability to think independently
A hands-on mentality, good team spirit and likes to work in an interdisciplinary and internationally oriented environment
OUR OFFER
A fulltime 4-year PhD position (1.0fte), starting between January – April 2024.
Gross monthly salary of € 2.770,- in the first year to € 3.539,- in the fourth year
Excellent benefits including a holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary, and end-of-year bonus of 8,3%, a solid pension scheme and health care benefits
29 holidays per year in case of fulltime employment
Excellent mentorship in a stimulating research environment with excellent facilities
A personal development program within the Twente Graduate School. You will have a training programme as part of the Twente Graduate School where you and your supervisors will determine a plan for a suitable education and supervision
A green campus with free access to sports facilities and an international scientific community
A family-friendly institution that offers parental leave (both paid and unpaid)
INFORMATION AND APPLICATION
Are you interested to be part of our team? Please submit your application via the ‘Apply now’ button below and include:
A cover letter (maximum 2 pages A4 in English or Dutch) which explains your interest in the position and your qualifications for it;
A curriculum vitae;
A copy of your Master’s thesis or, if it is not yet available, an outline and summary of your thesis.
The application deadline is December 3. The interviews will take place in the week of the 11th of December. For more information regarding this position, or to receive the PhD proposal you are welcome to contact Marlon Nieuwenhuis (m.nieuwenhuis@utwente.nl / +31644363077).
More information about the Psychology, Health and Technology section can be found on the following website: https://www.utwente.nl/en/bms/pht/ More information about the HIB department and the organization can be found below.
ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT
At the department of Technology, Human and Institutional Behaviour (HIB), we are specialists in the science of behaviour change and the interplay between human behaviour and technology. Why do we behave the way we do, and how does our behaviour change? Why is it that some people can successfully adapt their diet or lifestyle, and others seem unable to? What drives behavioural changes among people and groups? How can our governments help us to behave in ways that are healthy, sustainable and inclusive, or that will make our countries, societies and cities a safer place to live? What role can technologies play – from virtual reality or artificial intelligence to human-media interaction and value-based design – in influencing our behaviour for the better? And, conversely, what does our behaviour tell us about how these new technologies should be developed? These are some of the key questions we deal with as researchers, educators and societal problem solvers at the HIB department.
ABOUT THE ORGANISATION
The Faculty of Behavioral, Management and Social sciences (BMS) aims to play a key role in understanding, jointly developing and evaluating innovations in society. Technological developments are the engine of innovation. As a technical university that puts people first, we tailor them to human needs and behavior and use social engineering to integrate them into society. We also ensure adequate governance at public and private level, and robust, inclusive and fair organizational structures. We do this by developing, sharing and applying high-quality knowledge in Psychology, Business Administration, Public Administration, Communication Sciences, Philosophy, Educational Sciences and Health Sciences. Our research and education in these disciplines revolves around tackling and solving societal challenges. The research programs of BMS are closely linked to the research of the UT institutes Mesa+ Institute for Nanotechnology, TechMed Center and Digital Society Institute.
As an employer, the Faculty of BMS offers work that matters. We equip you to create new possibilities for yourself and for our society. With us, you will become part of a leading technical university with increasing, positive social impact. We offer an open, inclusive and entrepreneurial atmosphere, in which we encourage you to make healthy choices, for example through our flexible, adaptable benefits.