The section Business Analytics of the Amsterdam Business School (University of Amsterdam) invites applications for a multidisciplinary PhD position at the intersection of technology, operations management and healthcare management. The research project aims to make a contribution to urgent and complex challenges facing the Dutch healthcare system. The project will look into new technologies, such as predictive analytics and AI, and established technologies from operations management and management information systems, that have the potential to improve the delivery of care. The objective is to understand what it takes to successfully integrate such technologies in the complex environment of a healthcare system.

We are looking for candidates with the ambition to do impactful academic research applying sound research approaches to understand complex problems in society.

What are you going to do

The PhD position is a full-time position for a period of four years, salary is in accordance with fixed salaries prescribed by the Dutch labor agreements for universities.

Healthcare systems are under pressure. For the Dutch healthcare system, maybe the most urgent problem are staff shortages and the underlying problem of falling productivity, but safety, access and costs are also high on the list. Such challenges are not primarily medical in nature, but instead, concern the delivery of care and are about the performance of healthcare institutions as a production system. The design, control and improvement of production systems is a scientific field of study called operations management. Theory and principles from this field are applied in almost every industry for creating dependable, safe, fast, flexible and efficient operations. Technology has always played a prominent role in improving operations. From the 1980s onwards, most industries have adopted IT and ERP (enterprise resource planning) systems and in the current decade, new technologies such as AI, robotics, IoT (internet of things), big data and the cloud are having a profound impact on how operations are run.

On face value, it is plausible that operations-management theory and established and emerging technologies may help in improving the operational performance of healthcare systems. It is also acknowledged, however, that successfully implementing such interventions, especially in healthcare, is a difficult and complex challenge. In business schools, the complex process of implementing interventions is studied in the field of organizational development, which emphasizes the complex nature of change implementations. In medicine, psychology and education, the notorious difficulty in the implementation of policy and innovation has inspired the emergence of the field of implementation science.

You will/tasks:

The PhD student will work in close collaboration with the supervisory team and other faculty on tasks that include:

• Studying and taking classes to improve research skills and deepen one’s understanding of healthcare systems, operations management theory, and IT and management information systems;
• identifying relevant research questions and translating these to a sound research approach;
• publishing research results in international academic journals, and presenting them at international conferences;
• participating in and contributing to departmental research functions, including research seminars and research meetings;
• teaching-related activities, including undergraduate tutorials and the supervision of MSc and/or BSc thesis projects.

Starting date of the position: preferably July 1, 2023.

What do we require

• Master’s degree in operations management, healthcare management, management science, technology management, organizational behavior, or a related field;
• GMAT or GRE score of no more than five years old (for students with a Master’s degree obtained from a non-Dutch university). An indication of the minimum score required is 85%;
• proof of English proficiency through a TOEFL test (score of at least 100 on the internet based test and 600 on the paper based test) or IELTS test (minimum score of 7.5), where the scores were obtained no more than two years before the application;
• excellent speaking and writing ability in English, ideally with experience writing for a scientific audience;
• willingness and motivation to independently formulate research projects and carry them through to completion;
• experience conducting empirical research;
• strong motivation to pursue an international career as a leading scholar;
• talent for structuring complex problems and translating them into sound, analytical approaches;
• intellectual curiosity, eagerness to learn, and openness to criticism.

Our offer

The compensation package is competitive at the European level and includes several secondary benefits. Favorable tax agreements may apply to non-Dutch applicants. To know more about working at the University of Amsterdam, please check this link and uva.nl/working-at-eb.

The employment contract will be for an initial period of 12 months, with an intermediate evaluation after 18 months with a possibility to extend it for 36 months (4 years total). The end-result should be a PhD thesis. An educational plan will be drafted that includes attendance of courses and (international) conferences.

The gross monthly salary will range from €2,541 in the first year to €3,247 in the last year. The Collective Labour Agreement (CAO) for Dutch Universities applies.

Employer

About UvA Economics and Business

Education and research at UvA Economics and Business (EB) covers a wide range of fields that includes economics, data science, business administration, business analytics, accountancy, control, econometrics, finance and entrepreneurship. This is organised in 2 Schools: the Amsterdam Business School (ABS) and the Amsterdam School of Economics (ASE). Over 7,000 students are enrolled in our UvA Economics and Business programmes and around 500 employees provide education and support.

Find more information about Economics and Business on uva.nl/eb.

Find more information about the Amsterdam Business School on abs.uva.nl.

Find more information about the Amsterdam School of Economics on ase.uva.nl.

Department

The PhD position is with Prof. Jeroen de Mast and Dr. Bart Lameijer within the section Business Analytics at the Amsterdam Business School (University of Amsterdam). The Amsterdam Business School provides an inspiring and truly international research environment. This manifests itself in the ties its members have with major schools around the globe, and its international seminar program. 

A Financial Times ranking places Amsterdam Business School (ABS) at number 7 among European business schools in terms of research output focusing on the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Amsterdam Business School is also the only Dutch institution to be listed in the top-10.

Questions

Do you have any questions or do you require additional information? Please contact:

• Bart Lameijer (b.a.lameijer@uva.nl)

Job application

Do you recognize yourself in the job profile? Then we look forward to receiving your application. Closing date is 15 February 2023.

Applications in one pdf should include:

• a curriculum vitae;
• a letter of motivation including a description of the candidate’s primary research interests and ambitions.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited for a job interview and may be asked to present their (thesis) research work. Shortlisted candidates may be asked to provide two reference letters.

The UvA is an equal-opportunity employer. We prioritise diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for everyone. We value a spirit of enquiry and perseverance, provide the space to keep asking questions, and promote a culture of curiosity and creativity.

No agencies please.