"PhD Candidate: Writing Therapy for PTSD in General Practice"

Job Summary

After experiencing traumatic events, some individuals develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. While effective treatments exist, not everyone accesses them due to barriers and long waiting lists. PTSD patients are first seen by general practitioners and often assisted by mental health practice support workers (POH GGZ). Writing therapy is a proven, low-threshold, short-term treatment for PTSD. This ZonMW-funded STAP study, a randomized trial, investigates whether writing therapy, delivered by POH GGZ in general practice with specialist mental health support, is a cost-effective treatment. The project collaborates with general practitioners, POH-GGZs, specialist psychologists, implementation experts, and health economists to improve access and effectiveness of care for PTSD patients.

Responsibilities

• Design, execute, and analyze a randomized clinical trial on the cost-effectiveness of writing therapy in general practice.
• Collaborate with a large research team, including patients, healthcare providers, and scientists.
• Conduct quantitative research on the cost-effectiveness of writing therapy in two regions in the Netherlands (North South Holland and North Holland).
• Assist in the inclusion of POH-GGZs and patients, and organize and execute data collection.
• Maintain contact with patients, POH GGZs, general practitioners, psychologists, and supervise students.
• Present research at national and international conferences and symposia.
• Write at least four peer-reviewed publications and complete a PhD thesis in English.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Completed university-level (research) master’s degree in clinical psychology, medicine, health sciences, health management, or a related field.
• Preference for practice-oriented research and enthusiasm for intensive collaboration with patients and healthcare professionals.
• Proactive attitude and energy for working in a large project with organizational responsibilities.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and organizational skills.
• Strong written and oral communication skills in both Dutch and English.

What the Employer Offers

• An employment contract for 38 hours per week, initially for one year, with the possibility of extension to four years upon satisfactory performance; a 32-hour contract is negotiable.
• Salary ranging from €2,901 to €3,707 gross per month for a full-time position (scale P), based on the Dutch Universities collective labor agreement.
• Holiday allowance (8%), end-of-year bonus (8.3%), and an attractive pension scheme with ABP.
• Minimum of 29 vacation days for a full-time week of 38 hours, with options to build extra leave.
• Flexible secondary benefits, including possibilities for sabbatical, paid parental leave, sports subscriptions, bicycle schemes, and childcare support.
• Hybrid working options within the Netherlands, including a home working allowance, laptop, and mobile phone.
• Start date at the earliest on December 1, 2025.
• A transparent and inclusive work environment with opportunities for personal development and health initiatives.