Postdoc A. Pandemic Preparedness

Introduction

The Pandemic & Disaster Preparedness Centre (PDPC), initiated by the Erasmus University Rotterdam, the Erasmus Medical Centre, and the Delft University of Technology, is looking for a Postdoctoral researcher in Pandemic Preparedness of Underserved Groups.   

Job description

Erasmus MC, TU Delft and Erasmus University Rotterdam have joined forces in the Pandemic and Disaster Preparedness Center (PDPC). The PDPC aims to prepare society for future pandemics and disasters by carrying out research on how to build resilience through effective disaster prevention, preparedness and recovery measures. Convergence of the technical, medical and social sciences is essential for developing the next generation of approaches to disasters and pandemics. In the foreseeable future, our society can expect many more and unforeseen virus outbreaks and extreme events because of climate change. But how do we protect society from the next pandemic or disaster? Which of the lessons learnt could help develop prevention and intervention measures, and how could research contribute to preparedness?

The PDPC is based on the unique combination of world-renowned expertise on infectious diseases, climate research, research into floods and other water-related emergencies, empirical sociology, and crisis management. One of the Centre’s components is the PDPC Academy, which engages in knowledge transfer and education, has an academic workplace for short-term research projects, and carries out research on targeted interventions.

We are seeking a motivated postdoctoral researcher to lead the Underserved Groups project. This project aims to identify individual and contextual barriers and drivers for underserved groups towards the support for and compliance with public health and social measures implemented during a pandemic, using the recent COVID-19 pandemic as a case, in order to design tailored interventions for pandemic preparedness.

To do so, the WHO Tailoring Health Programmes Approach (THP) will be used, consisting of four phases: situation analysis, research, intervention design, implementation and evaluation. Phase 1 (situation analysis) has been completed (see report and webinar). The aim of phase 2 is to conduct qualitative research into the barriers and drivers to COVID-19 PHSM within a specific prioritized group. Based on the situational analysis and advice of the WHO, phase 2 the study will focus on gain insight into the individual and contextual factors contributing to the support for and compliance with public health and social measures implemented during a pandemic, using the recent COVID-19 pandemic as a case, of older people with a migrant background residing in Rotterdam. These behavioural and cultural insights are used to design tailored interventions for pandemic preparedness.

As a postdoctoral researcher, you will initiate, develop, and execute research (Phase 2) with a primary focus on qualitative methodologies. This includes conducting focus groups and interviews. You will translate these findings into interventions (Phase 3), followed by implementation and evaluation (Phase 4), collaborating with various stakeholders throughout the process. Additionally, you will write scientific papers. You will also be a part of the PDCP NEXT network together with other PhD candidates and postdoc researchers in the PDPC. As part of your position, you will have the opportunity to engage in teaching and to work on your teaching portfolio for University Teaching Qualification (UTQ).

As a postdoctoral researcher you will: 

• Design and conduct qualitative research activities, such as focus groups and interviews;
• Analyse qualitative data, and interpret the findings into concrete interventions for policy and practice;
• Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of researchers and professionals;
• Collaborate with other members of the research team and contribute to their projects when necessary;
• Write scientific articles and reports based on research findings;
• Present research outcomes at national and international conferences.

Job requirements

• A PhD in behavioral sciences, social or health psychology, sociology, or a related field;
• Affinity with the field of behaviour and infectious diseases/pandemics;
• Strong affinity and preferably experience with qualitative and quantitative research methods, particularly focus groups and interviews among vulnerable groups;
• Excellent analytical skills and the ability to interpret qualitative data effectively;
• Good communication skills with professional oral and written command of English (C1-level CEFR or equivalent) and also Dutch (C1);
• Well organized with attention to detail;
• Professional attitude and keenness for working with external parties;
• Enthusiastic team player. Eager to work in a multidisciplinary team, yet also able to work independently.

Employment conditions and benefits

We offer you an internationally oriented and varied job in an enthusiastic team, with excellent working conditions in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU).

The start date of this position is 1 November 2024 or earlier if possible and you will be based at Campus Woudestein in Rotterdam at Erasmus School of Social and Behavioural Sciences (ESSB). This position is for 0.8 fte - 1 fte. The salary is dependent on your experience and knowledge and ranges from a minimum of € 4.492 to a maximum of € 6.148 gross per month, scale 11, on a fulltime basis (38 hours), in accordance with the CAO-NU. The contract is entered into for the duration of one year, to be extended with another year if performance is good and the organizational circumstances remain unchanged.

Everything else we offer you, you can find below!

-        Everything you need for a good work-life balance: the option to work from home in consultation with your manager, 41 days of paid leave with a 40 hour contract, 8% holiday pay and an 8.3% end-of-year bonus, and a significant discount on a subscription for our on-campus sports centre!

-        Sustainable, inclusive and diverse work environment with an open culture, where you can be yourself and we pay attention to each other and to the world around us. Make the most of our bicycle budget, or join networks such as Young@EUR, FAME or QuEUR.

-        Time and space for your development in the broadest sense: development days and a personal career budget and free access to our university library.

-        Good pension with ABP that EUR contributes 2/3rds towards, discounts on various collective insurances with Zilveren Kruis Achmea, Loyalis, and Allianz, and compensation for travel, working from home and home internet use.

-        Are you currently combining your job with parenthood, or do you want to do so in the future? EUR offers partially paid parental leave and fully paid additional birth leave for partners, and our campus features a daycare (daycare not paid for by EUR).

-        Moving to the Netherlands for your job with EUR? Then you may be eligible for the 30%-ruling if you meet the requirements of the Belastingdienst (Dutch tax agency), and with our Dual Career Programme we will also help your partner find the right job for them.

Employer

Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR) is an internationally oriented university with a strong social orientation in its education and research, as expressed in our mission ‘Creating positive societal impact’. EUR is home to 4.100 academics and professionals and almost 33.000 students from more than 140 countries. Everything we do, we do under the credo The Erasmian Way – Making Minds Matter. We’re global citizens, connecting, entrepreneurial, open-minded, and socially involved. These Erasmian Values function as our internal compass and create EUR’s distinctive and recognizable profile. From these values, with a broad perspective and with an eye for diversity, different backgrounds and opinions, our employees work closely together to solve societal challenges from the dynamic and cosmopolitan city of Rotterdam. Thanks to the high quality and positive societal impact of our research and education, EUR can compete with the top European universities. www.eur.nl.

Faculty / Institute / Central service

The Erasmus School of Social and Behavioural Sciences is home to a vast diversity of scientific disciplines: public administration, pedagogical sciences, psychology and sociology. In addition, the Erasmus University College, IHS, and two research institutes RISBO and DRIFT are linked to the faculty. This also reflects in the content of the (international) bachelor's and master's programs and in research.  Our activities are always focused on people and society. At the ESSB fundamental, internationally oriented research is of paramount importance. In addition, social research for professionals, policy makers, and the society is part of our research activities. ESSB offers a stimulating research environment where major national and international research grants are received. Appealing guest researchers and ambitious PhD candidates come along to conduct their research. Our education is small-scale and works with innovative forms of education such as Problem-Based Learning (PBL). Both the Dutch and English programs are highly ranked by students and alumni. ESSB is home to over 4000 students and more than 400 staff-members. The different disciplines are supported by the Faculty Office (for more information, please visit www.eur.nl/essb).

Group

Department of Public Administration and Sociology (DPAS)

DPAS encompasses the disciplines Public Administration and Sociology: two related scientific fields each with a unique profile. Public Administration studies governance capacity and policy interventions. It focuses on institutional power to organize and intervene in the relations between different social, political and economic actors. Public Administration in Rotterdam goes far beyond the public realm to also pay attention to public-private cooperation and the networks of organizations. Sociology investigates the social structures of societies and the way these evolve. Sociologists in Rotterdam focus, inter alia, on processes of globalization and individualization, and the effects of these processes on international social relations, the labor market and family relations. Social issues that are studied under this banner include migration, flexibilization and solidarity. The perspectives of Public Administration and Sociology complement each other. Together they guarantee a highly relevant and scientific approach to topical administrative and social issues. The bachelor- and master programs of DPAS are built on this profile and develop students into scientifically schooled professionals.

Department

Team Public Issues & Imaginaries (PI&I) consists of more than 30 interdisciplinary teachers and researchers with backgrounds in, amongst others, Sociology, Science & Technology Studies, Public Administration, and Media Studies, and with connections to partners both within and beyond the university. We are committed to the production of knowledge for imagining (more-than-human) living together in ways that are less exploitative, extractive, unequal, and more democratic, sustainable, and liberating. That is why we develop teaching and research on major contemporary public issues (urban politics, work & digitalization, migration, race, gender, class & inequality, global warming & sustainability), as modes of engagement with a variety of publics. Our ways of working together, for and with publics, can be captured in our three core signatures:

1. We seek critical interrogations of and constructive interventions in public issues;

2. We see teaching and research into public issues as modes of engagement;

3. We seek to transform scientific and academic practice by emphasizing quality over quantity, engagement over disinterestedness, diversity over monoculture, and good work relations over a competitive rat race.

Additional information

You can find more information about the EUR on our website www.eur.nl.

For more information about this vacancy, please contact Tom Emery via tom@odissei-data.nl.

Please be aware we have another similar postdoc vacancy. Where this postdoc position is in the lead of the Underserved groups project, the other one focusses on the impact of school closures on educational performance and school to work transitions.

Applying

Please submit your application, consisting of a motivation letter and CV, before the vacancy closing date.

The selection procedure consists of two interviews. Interviews are expected to be held in the week of the week of 30 September. 

We look forward to receiving your application.

Persons of all gender identities or expressions, sexual orientations, religions, ethnicities, ages, neurodiversities, functional impairments, citizenships, or any other aspect are welcome to apply and join the EUR community.