Postdoc Preventing health inequalities by improving socioeconomic positions

Job description

Are you passionate about understanding how social policies shape health inequalities? Join us as a Postdoctoral Researcher and help uncover the true impact of policies aimed at improving socioeconomic opportunities.

While it is often assumed that policies aimed at expanding socioeconomic opportunities reduce health inequalities, there is still a striking lack of empirical evidence on how and to what extent they do so. One of the main reasons for this gap is the complex methodological challenge of evaluating these effects — particularly how to account for the socioeconomic shifts caused by the very policies under study.

As a result, current research often concludes that we’ve made little progress in reducing health inequalities, because the health gaps between education and income groups seem to persist across generations. But this view overlooks a crucial fact: many people have substantially improved their socioeconomic position and with that likely gained significant health benefits. If we manage to properly account for these compositional changes, we may find that much more progress has been made in reducing health inequalities than is currently believed.

We are seeking a motivated postdoctoral researcher to help tackle these questions and develop innovative ways to assess the long-term impact of social policies on health inequalities.

You will be supervised by dr. Joost Oude Groeniger based at the department of Public Health and dr. Jeremy Labrecque based at the department of Epidemiology of Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam.

Work environment

At the department of Public Health, we are dedicated to improve population health at local, national, and international level through excellent research and education. Our research is characterised as highly multidisciplinary and is focused on the development and use of innovative methods. Collaboration with and direct impact on practice and policy are at the heart of our work.

Qualifications and skills

We are looking for a researcher with strong quantitative skills and affinity with health inequalities research. Preferably, you have experience with causal inference or microsimulation techniques and the analysis of large data sets. Experience with R, Stata or comparable software is highly recommended.

We offer the opportunity for candidates to deepen their affinity and acquire further experience with relevant methodologies and substantive discussions. The department further highly supports candidates who want to further develop their skills in acquisition, leadership, goal-oriented working, creativity, initiative, engagement, vision, and visibility. 

The candidate should have good command of the English language, both verbally and in writing. A background in epidemiology or health economics is beneficial, but anyone with the necessary quantitative skills and an interest in public health and health inequality is invited to apply. A PhD degree is required for this position.

Before you apply please check our conditions for employment.

Terms of employment

• You will receive a temporary position for approximately 2.5 years, which can be extended if additional funding becomes available.
• The gross monthly salary amounts a maximum of € 5.504,- (scale 10).
• A salary increase of 3% from July 2025, according to the collective labor agreement (cao).
• Excellent fringe benefits, such as a 13th month that is already paid out in November and a individual travel expense package. 
• An International Office which aids you in preparing for you arrival and stay. 
• Pension insurance with ABP. We take care of approximately 70% of the monthly contribution. 
• Special benefits, such as a incompany physiotherapist and bicycle repairer. And there is also a gym where you can work on your fitness after work. 

More information

For more information about this position, please contact dr. Joost Oude Groeniger or dr. Jeremy Labrecque, assistant professors, via j.oudegroeniger@erasmusmc.nl or j.labrecque@erasmusmc.nl.

No agencies please.