PhD Candidate: Midwifery Counseling & Cervical Cancer Screening

Job description

You will design, conduct, and analyze research aimed at increasing participation in the national cervical cancer screening program. The goal is to support women in making better informed decisions about participation, using personalized counseling provided by midwives.

This project investigates how midwives, through personalized education, can help more women participate in the cervical cancer screening program. Currently, many women do not participate especially those in large cities, with a migration background, or from lower socioeconomic groups. This is often due to a lack of knowledge or information. Since midwives see nearly all pregnant women in the Netherlands, they can play a crucial role in improving participation.

As a PhD candidate, you will:

• Develop the counseling program.
• Design a training for midwives.
• Conduct interviews with pregnant women.
• Collect and analyze research data.
• Use a computational model to predict long-term population-level effects.

You will work closely with a multidisciplinary team with expertise in gynecology, midwifery, public health, epidemiology, and biostatistics.

Work environment

At Erasmus MC, we strive for health for all, now and in the future. We combine research, education, and patient care to innovate and improve health outcomes. You will be appointed to two departments:

Gynecological Oncology. This department diagnoses, treats, and supports women with gynecological cancers. We see many young women with cervical cancer who did not participate in screening. Through better information and counseling, we hope more women will make an informed decision to participate.

Public Health. We conduct public health research both locally and globally. We use innovative methods, collaborate closely with policymakers, and aim for real-world impact.

You will be part of the research program Early Detection & Screening, which focuses on the effectiveness, feasibility, and cost of screening programs.


See www.publichealthrotterdam.nl for more information.

Qualifications and skills

We are looking for someone who has:

• A completed Master’s degree in Medicine, Midwifery, Health Sciences, Public Health, Epidemiology, or a related field.
• Interest in both quantitative and qualitative research.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• A collaborative mindset and enthusiasm for working across disciplines.
• Affinity with diversity and working with various target groups is a plus.
• Initiative, creativity, and a drive to create societal impact.

Before you apply please check our conditions for employment.

Terms of employment

• A temporary appointment for 4 years.
• Gross monthly salary between €3.108 and €3.939 (PhD candidate scale) or €3.598 and €5.669 (with a Master's in Medicine).
• A 13th-month bonus paid in November and travel expense reimbursement.
• Pension coverage with ABP; we cover 70% of the premium, resulting in a higher net salary.
• On-site sports facilities at Erasmus MC. Got a flat tire? Our bike repair service will fix it for you.

More information

Make this position your next career step apply now using the application button. Let’s start doing.

For content related questions about the role, please contact:

Dr. H.J. van Beekhuizen, Gynecologic Oncologist, 010 703 47 16. Dr. I.M.C.M. de Kok, Associate Professor of Public Health, 010 703 84 60. or via mail.

Interviews will take place on Tuesday, August 26. Invitations will be sent no later than August 19.

No agencies please.