Postdoc: Responsible scaling of digital innovation in mental healthcare

Your job

During the development of many new products and services, insufficient thought is given to how these innovations could scale in a socially responsible way. We assume that innovators, together with a broad group of stakeholders, must think about important conditions for successful scaling at an early stage of the innovation process. At the moment, there is a need for a better understanding how to approach responsible scaling.

In the project you will learn about how innovations can improve local day-to-day practice in mental healthcare, and about the systemic conditions to facilitate this local implementation, such as regulations, participation, governance, funding, etc. For this, a new theory for responsible scaling needs to be developed, resulting in diffusion pathways allow for contextualization and tailored implementation. These pathways should include various societal perspectives and values (ethics, public values, company’s interests) from the very start. They should also be able to align with – or recommend changes for – institutional boundaries in the (mental) healthcare system.

As a postdoctoral researcher in this project, you will conduct in-depth empirical studies on the dynamics of responsible scaling in digital mental healthcare. Broadly, the following research activities are foreseen for this project:

• Conceptualizing diffusion and scaling theories of innovation;
• Investigating scaling pathways in the context of existing cases in mental health, by looking at routines, values, assumptions of the different organizations and users involved in the development and upscaling of digital innovations;
• Exploring possible future scaling pathways for responsible scaling and recommendations on how to build them and under which circumstances to use them;
• Uncovering success and failure factors that facilitate or hinder scaling specifically in eHealth for mental health.

As a postdoctoral researcher you will become embedded in a larger project on responsible scaling of digital innovation in mental healthcare, and interact with a wide range of interesting stakeholders, including technology developers, mental health organizations, patient groups, reimbursement agencies, etc. You will also be involved in exciting scientific communities on innovation and technology assessment.

The project will be supervised by Dr Lotte Krabbenborg and Prof. Wouter Boon.

Requirements

You are a motivated and goal-oriented researcher who would like to work in an interdisciplinary research environment. Specifically, you bring the following:

• You have a successfully completed PhD degree. Relevant disciplines include (but are not limited to) science and technology studies (STS), transition studies, innovation studies, information science, medical humanities, and sociology;
• You are interested in responsible upscaling of digital innovations;
• You have an affinity with in-depth social research and innovative methodologies with a mixed-methods or qualitative focus;
• You have an affinity and experience with engagement and communication of scientific research;
• You enjoy working in an interdisciplinary team, and can showcase a critical attitude, intellectual independence, and good organizational skills;
• You are interested in collaborating with societal partners as part the research project;
• You have excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.

Conditions of employment

We offer:

• a temporary position (0.8-1.0 FTE), initially for one year with an extension to a total of four years (29 months in total) upon a successful assessment in the first year, and with the specific intent that it results in a doctorate within this period;
• a working week of 32 - 40 hours and a gross monthly salary between €3.706 and €5.760 (salary scale 10 under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU)). The salary is based on a 38-hour working week;
• 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus;
• a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU.

In addition to the terms of employment set out in our collective labour agreement, we offer attractive additional benefits, including opportunities for personal and professional growth, flexible leave arrangements, and extra vacation days. Through the UU Terms of Employment Options Model, you can tailor your employment package to your needs. In this way, we encourage you to grow in what you do, both in your work and in your development. Read more about our terms of employment.

Employer

Universiteit Utrecht

A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University, the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major strategic themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Pathways to Sustainability. Sharing science, shaping tomorrow.

Utrecht University’s Faculty of Geosciences studies the Earth: from the Earth’s core to its surface, including man’s spatial and material utilisation of the Earth – always with a focus on sustainability and innovation. With 3,400 students (BSc and MSc) and 720 staff, the faculty is a strong and challenging organisation. The Faculty of Geosciences is organised in four Departments: Earth Sciences, Human Geography & Spatial Planning, Physical Geography, and Sustainable Development.

The city of Utrecht is one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands, with a charming old centre and an internationally oriented culture that is strongly influenced by its century-old university. Utrecht has been consistently ranked as one of the most livable cities in the Netherlands.

Additional information

For more information about this position, please contact Prof. Wouter Boon at w.p.c.boon@uu.nl

Candidates for this vacancy will be recruited by Utrecht University.

Working at Utrecht University

At Utrecht University, we work together towards a better future for all of us. You are invited to contribute to a better world. Will you join us?