PhD Candidate – Women's Health, Hormones and Reproductive Rheumatology

Job description

Why do some women with chronic inflammatory diseases experience difficulties with fertility, hormonal health, pregnancy or menopause, while others do not? Despite major advances in rheumatology, important questions about women’s health across the life course remain unanswered.

Erasmus MC is looking for an ambitious PhD candidate to join an international research consortium investigating hormonal, endocrine and reproductive health in women with axial spondyloarthritis and psoriatic arthritis.

The PhD candidate will work within the HER-SPA project (Hormones, Endocrine and Reproductive Health in axial Spondyloarthritis and Psoriatic Arthritis), funded by a prestigious € 600,000 FOREUM grant. Together with leading researchers from Erasmus MC, Karolinska Institutet (Sweden), the German Rheumatism Research Centre (DRFZ), University College London and Queen Mary University of London, you will generate new evidence to improve reproductive healthcare for women living with rheumatic diseases.

Your activities will include:

• Designing and conducting clinical and epidemiological research projects using international cohorts and registries.
• Analysing data on reproductive outcomes, hormonal health, pregnancy and disease trajectories.
• Collaborating with international experts, clinicians, epidemiologists and patient partners.
• Publishing scientific articles in international peer-reviewed journals and presenting findings at international conferences.
• Contributing to the development of future strategies and guidelines for women’s health in rheumatology.

A typical day may include analysing registry data, discussing results with international collaborators, preparing manuscripts, meeting with patients or researchers, and developing new research questions.

“The most exciting part of this position is the opportunity to work on a clinically important topic while being part of a truly international team. You are not only collecting data, you are helping shape the future of care for women with rheumatic diseases.”

Work environment

You will join the Department of Rheumatology at Erasmus MC, one of the leading university medical centres in Europe. Our department combines excellent clinical care with internationally recognized research in reproductive rheumatology.

The project is embedded within a multidisciplinary research environment focusing on reproductive health, patient-centred outcomes and inflammatory diseases. You will work closely with rheumatologists, epidemiologists, PhD candidates, researchers and patient representatives.

The HER-SPA consortium connects experts across Europe, offering unique opportunities for collaboration, international visits and scientific development.

Qualifications and skills

We are looking for an enthusiastic researcher who wants to contribute to impactful clinical research. You:

• Hold a Master’s degree in medicine, biomedical sciences, epidemiology, health sciences or a related field.
• Have an interest in rheumatology, women’s health, epidemiology or clinical research.
• Are motivated to develop advanced skills in study design, data analysis and scientific communication.
• Enjoy working independently while collaborating in an international multidisciplinary team.
• Have excellent written and spoken English skills.
• English is the primary working language of this international project. Knowledge of Dutch is an advantage, and candidates who do not yet speak Dutch are expected to be motivated to acquire a practical working knowledge of the language during the PhD to support work with clinical data and local collaborations.

Before you apply please check our conditions for employment.

Terms of employment

• A PhD position for 48 months at Erasmus MC within an internationally funded research programme.
• A salary according to the CAO Universitair Medische Centra (UMC) PhD salary scale.
• Excellent fringe benefits, such as a 13th month that is already paid out in November and a individual travel expense package.
• The opportunity to work in a leading academic medical center with international collaborators.
• Possibilities for research visits to partner institutions in Sweden and the United Kingdom.
• Access to international conferences, training courses and professional development opportunities.
• A stimulating environment to develop into an independent researcher.
• Pension insurance with ABP. We take care of approximately 2/3 of the monthly contribution.
• Special benefits, such as an incompany physiotherapist and bicycle repairer. And there is also a gym where you can work on your fitness after work.

More information

Would you like to contribute to the future of women’s health in rheumatology? Apply now and become part of an ambitious international research team.

For questions about this vacancy, please contact: Dr. Luis Fernando Perez Rheumatologist & Principal Investigator HER-SPA via l.perez@erasmusmc.nl.

No agencies please.