PhD candidate: implementation of digital tools and AI-driven scheduling in the OR

Job description

Optimizing the utilization of OR resources is critical for the sustainability of surgical care. The demand for surgical care is increasing and surpasses the supply, which is unable to grow due to budgetary restrictions and a shortage of operating room staff.

This PhD position focuses on the implementation, evaluation and scaling up digital tools and AI-driven scheduling in the OR. Technical advances will be intertwined with implementation research to support broad adoption, increase sustainability, and create insights for scaling-up. Therefore, a close collaboration with the other two PhD candidates is necessary.

Your day-to-day activities will include:

• Collaborating and engaging with OR staff and technicians.
• Identifying the facilitators and barriers for the implementations of digital tools (e.g., AI-based image processing, 3D-printing, Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality) and AI-driven scheduling in the OR.
• Developing implementation strategies for digital tools and AI-driven OR scheduling.
• Evaluating the implementation, process, and clinical outcomes.
• Scaling up the use of digital tools and AI-based scheduling in the OR.

The result of this project will be an increase in efficiency, safety, and quality of care, and a decrease in perceived workload and healthcare costs.  

Work environment

This position is part of the Sustainable Health Program 'Smart OR2030' within Convergence Health & Technology. Three PhD positions will be available, which will focus on leveraging technological advancements to optimize the use of surgical care resources and thereby improve the sustainability of surgical care. This project is a collaboration between Erasmus MC, Erasmus University, and Delft University of Technology.

You will be supervised at the Erasmus University Rotterdam, located at the Erasmus School of Health Policy & Management (ESHPM). As a multidisciplinary faculty, ESHPM internationally has a strong presence in health technology assessment, health economics, health services & health systems research, healthcare governance, and health insurance. The most recent international research audit has assessed ESHPM's research as excellent (20 out of 20 points). ESHPM values empirical, multidisciplinary research with high impact. It is firmly rooted in the world's leading Dutch healthcare system and actively participates in international research projects.

ESHPM is responsible for a bachelor, pre-master and three (international) master programs on healthcare management, policy, and economics, serving more than 1500 students.

Qualifications and skills

You have the following qualifications:

• A master's degree in health care management, HRM, (organizational) psychology, organizational behavior, organizational science or a related field.
• Good command of the Dutch and/or English language.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively in an interdisciplinary team.

Nice-to-haves:

• Strong affinity or experience within the field of health care.
• Passion for improving surgical efficiency and enhancing the well-being of healthcare professionals.

Join us in shaping the future of surgery through innovative automation. If you are a forward-thinking Research Engineer with a passion for healthcare technology, we invite you to contribute to our mission.

Before you apply please check our conditions for employment.

Terms of employment

• You will receive a temporary position for 4 years.
• The gross monthly salary is € 3.017,- in the 1st year and increases to € 3.824,- in the 4th year (scale OIO).
• Working from home is an option.
• Excellent fringe benefits, such as a 13th month that is already paid out in November and an 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 2/3 of the monthly contribution.
• Special benefits, such as an in-company physiotherapist and bicycle repairer. There is also a gym where you can work on your fitness after work.

More information

If you are excited by the thought of this position and would like to apply, please do so by using the application form on our website.

For more information about this position, please contact Dr. Martina Buljac, associate professor,  buljac@eshpm.eur.nl.

No agencies please.