The Department of Public Health and Primary Care at KU Leuven is seeking a Senior Postdoctoral Researcher with expertise in primary health care. The focus of the position is on psychosocial care, prevention, and lifestyle-oriented interventions.
Within KU Leuven's Group of Biomedical Sciences, the Department of Public Health and Primary Care conducts research on the societal aspects of health care. Its members include experts with experience in disease prevention, health protection, health promotion, quality of care, health care policy, bioethics, health law, health economics, health communication, biostatistics, epidemiology, geriatrics and gerontology, nursing and midwifery, emergency medicine, and general practice medicine.
Members of the Department carry out interdisciplinary research with significant impact at both the national and international levels. They are also responsible for delivering high-quality education across various fields of study. In addition, they provide health care professionals and institutions with insights, concepts, and techniques that enable them to better respond to the needs and expectations of patients and society in the field of health care. Furthermore, they strive to strengthen collaboration with clinical medicine and research and are closely involved in national and international partnerships.
The Department of Public Health and Primary Care offers a dynamic research environment that fosters interdisciplinary collaboration.
Website unit
Responsibilities
Research
You will strengthen the research line in psychosocial health care within primary care and actively contribute to the further development of a research programme focusing on preventive health care, mental health, and lifestyle-oriented interventions.
You have expertise in one or more relevant research domains, such as:
- Psychosocial care in primary care;
- Prevention of mental health problems;
- Stress, anxiety, and depression management;
- Lifestyle and behavioural interventions;
- Early detection and follow-up of alcohol, medication, and substance misuse;
- Mental health and well-being of health care professionals;
- Innovative care models and integrated primary care.
Teaching and Student Supervision
You will develop and coordinate research projects, publish in international scientific journals, and support the acquisition of external research funding through national and international funding schemes. You will collaborate closely with researchers both within and outside KU Leuven and build a strong national and international network.
You possess strong teaching skills and preferably have demonstrable teaching experience.
You have excellent communication and organisational skills and are a team player.
You contribute to educational activities within the Bachelor's and Master's programmes in Medicine and to the interuniversity training programme in General Practice. This contribution mainly consists of teaching activities, thesis supervision, and the development and support of course components aligned with your expertise and the department's research and educational activities.
You supervise Master's students, medical residents, and PhD candidates in their research activities.
Scientific Service
You are an ambitious, internationally oriented researcher in the field of primary health care, with particular attention to psychosocial health care and preventive and lifestyle-related themes.
You have experience in a relevant research domain within primary care, such as preventive programmes (e.g. stress and depression management, lifestyle and behavioural interventions in primary care), innovations in care processes related to psychosocial health care, detection and follow-up of alcohol, medication and substance misuse, and the mental health of health care professionals.
You represent the research group in relevant scientific networks, working groups, and collaborative partnerships.
You contribute to the dissemination of knowledge to practitioners, policymakers, and societal stakeholders, and support initiatives that enhance the societal impact of research.
Profile
- You hold a PhD in Health Sciences, Medicine, Psychology, Educational Sciences, or a related field.
- You have a strong research background in one or more areas relevant to psychosocial health care, preventive health care, or primary care.
- Your scientific excellence is demonstrated through publications in internationally peer-reviewed journals.
- Experience in writing research proposals and securing research funding is considered an asset.
- Experience in project coordination and the supervision of early-career researchers is a significant advantage.
- International research experience is an asset.
- You possess excellent communication skills and enjoy working in a multidisciplinary team environment.
- You have an excellent command of spoken and written English.
- A good knowledge of Dutch is required given the collaboration with professional stakeholders and the supervision of Dutch-speaking students.
Offer
We offer a full-time appointment as a Senior Postdoctoral Researcher in a challenging and internationally oriented research environment.
This is a temporary appointment for two years, with the possibility of extension depending on performance and the availability of funding.
You will become part of a strong research group within a research-intensive university with an excellent international reputation.
You will have the opportunity to further develop your own research portfolio and to actively contribute to the development of new research initiatives.
You will be given the opportunity to further strengthen your teaching competencies and to play an active role in educational innovation, student supervision, and the academic training of future health care professionals.
You will work in Leuven, a historic and vibrant university city in the heart of Europe.
Career Perspective
Subject to the successful development of an independent research line and depending on future staffing and funding opportunities, the candidate may apply for potential future vacancies within the Independent Academic Staff (ZAP).
However, this appointment does not confer any automatic entitlement to a future appointment as a member of the Independent Academic Staff (ZAP).
Interested?
KU Leuven places great importance on scientific integrity, ethical conduct, and social responsibility.
For further information, please contact:
Prof. Dr. Birgitte Schoenmakers – [email protected]
Prof. Dr. Pascal Borry – [email protected]
KU Leuven strives for an inclusive, respectful and socially safe environment. We embrace diversity among individuals and groups as an asset. Open dialogue and differences in perspective are essential for an ambitious research and educational environment. In our commitment to equal opportunity, we recognize the consequences of historical inequalities. We do not accept any form of discrimination based on, but not limited to, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, ethnic or national background, skin colour, religious and philosophical diversity, neurodivergence, employment disability, health, or socioeconomic status. For questions about accessibility or support offered, we are happy to assist you at this email address.
