PhD Position in Mental Health

Your job

During the development of many new products and services, insufficient thought is given to how these innovations could scale in a socially responsible way. Who can use these products, who is left out, what characteristics are important? We assume that innovators, together with a broad group of stakeholders, must think about important conditions for successful scaling at an early stage of the innovation process. At the moment, there is a need for a better understanding how to approach responsible scaling.

In the project you will learn about how innovations can improve local day-to-day practice in mental healthcare, and about the systemic conditions to facilitate this local implementation, such as regulations, participation of prospective users in decision making, governance, funding, etc. For this, a new theory for responsible scaling needs to be developed, resulting in diffusion pathways allow for contextualisation and tailored implementation. These pathways should include various societal perspectives and values (ethics, public values, company’s interests) from the very start. They should also be able to align with – or recommend changes for – institutional boundaries in the (mental) healthcare system.

As a PhD candidate in this project, you will conduct in-depth empirical studies on the dynamics of responsible scaling in digital mental healthcare. Broadly, the following research activities are foreseen for this project:

• conceptualising diffusion and scaling theories of innovation;
• investigating scaling pathways in the context of existing cases in mental health, by looking at routines, values, assumptions of the different organizations and users involved in the development and upscaling of digital innovations;
• exploring possible future scaling pathways for responsible scaling and recommendations on how to build them and under which circumstances to use them;
• uncovering success and failure factors that facilitate or hinder scaling specifically in eHealth for mental health.

As a PhD candidate you will become embedded in a larger project on responsible scaling of digital innovation in mental healthcare, and collaborate with a wide range of interesting stakeholders, including technology developers, mental health organizations, patient groups, reimbursement agencies, etc. You will also be involved in exciting scientific communities on innovation and technology assessment.

Your qualities

You are a motivated and goal-oriented researcher who would like to work in an interdisciplinary research environment. Specifically, you bring the following:

• You have a successfully completed Master’s degree. Relevant disciplines include (but are not limited to) science and technology studies (STS), transition studies, innovation studies, information science, medical humanities, and sociology.
• You are interested in responsible development and upscaling of digital innovations.
• You have an affinity with in-depth social research and innovative methodologies with a mixed-methods or qualitative focus.
• You have an affinity and experience with public engagement and communication of scientific research.
• You enjoy working in an interdisciplinary team, and can showcase a critical attitude, intellectual independence, and good organizational skills.
• You are interested in collaborating with societal partners as part the research project. For this, Dutch language proficiency is a plus.
• You have excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.

Our offer

We offer:

• a temporary position, initially for one year with an extension to a total of four years upon a successful assessment in the first year, and with the specific intent that it results in a doctorate within this period;
• a working week of 36 hours and a gross monthly salary between €2,901 and €3,707 in the case of full-time employment (salary scale P under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU)); 
• 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus; 
• a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU. 

In addition to the terms of employment laid down in the CAO NU, Utrecht University has a number of schemes and facilities of its own for employees. This includes schemes facilitating professional development, leave schemes and schemes for sports and cultural activities, as well as discounts on software and other IT products. We also offer access to additional employee benefits through our Terms of Employment Options Model. In this way, we encourage our employees to continue to invest in their growth. For more information, please visit Working at Utrecht University.

About us

A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University, the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major strategic themes under the banner of Sharing science, shaping tomorrow. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Pathways to Sustainability.  You can watch the Utrecht University Campus Tour to get an impression of our university.

Utrecht University's Faculty of Geosciences studies the earth, with a focus on sustainability and innovation. With 3,400 students (BSc and MSc) and 720 staff members, the Faculty of Geosciences is a strong and challenging organisation. The Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development is part of the Faculty of Geosciences. The institute investigates and develops processes and opportunities for innovative change towards sustainability.

The city of Utrecht is one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands, with a charming old centre and an internationally oriented culture that is strongly influenced by its century-old university. Utrecht has been consistently ranked as one of the most livable cities in the Netherlands.

More information

For more information, please contact Professor Wouter Boon at w.p.c.boon@uu.nl.

The project will be supervised by Dr Lotte Krabbenborg and Professor Wouter Boon.

Candidates for this vacancy will be recruited by Utrecht University.

Apply now

As Utrecht University, we want to be a home for everyone. We value staff with diverse backgrounds, perspectives and identities, including cultural, religious or ethnic background, gender, sexual orientation, disability or age. We strive to create a safe and inclusive environment in which everyone can flourish and contribute.

To apply, please send us the following documents via the 'apply now' button:

• your curriculum vitae (CV), including appendixes with grade transcripts for your Bachelor’s and Master’s programme, and the names and contact details of 2-3 references;
• a motivation letter of no more than two A4 pages explaining your interest and suitability for the position.

The application deadline is 28 February 2025.