Junior Researcher: Accelerating skills training for health professionals

Job description

There is a global shortage of healthcare personnel and many countries are exploring ways to accelerate healthcare professionals training while assuring that professionals can adequately perform in the workplace environment. Whilst clinical skills training has been studied for decades, research continues to show a rapid decline in skills over time. In this project, we will investigate the effect of applying key cognitive psychology concepts, such as interleaved practice, spacing and testing effects, on skills retention. We will also explore the use of physiological tools, such eye tracking, functional near-infrared spectroscopy and heart rate variability, to further understand the developmental acquisition process of clinical skills.

As a junior researcher, your primary responsibility is to conduct scientific research in collaboration with your interdisciplinary supervisory team, composed of researchers with diverse expertise and experience. Your role encompasses designing experimental protocols, collecting data and performing data analysis. Additionally, you will enhance your scientific writing skills, with the potential opportunity to serve as the first author on publications.

Beyond your research responsibilities, you will have the opportunity to enroll in relevant courses that align with both the project’s objectives and your personal academic interests. Finally, you will contribute to disseminating the research findings by presenting them at both national and international conferences.

Work environment

A healthy population and excellence in healthcare through research and education. This is what Erasmus MC stands for. Conducting groundbreaking work, pushing boundaries and leading the way. As the medical faculty of Erasmus University Rotterdam, Erasmus MC has a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programmes within the (bio)medical sciences: Medicine, Nanobiology (collaboration TU Delft) and Clinical Technology/Technical Medicine (in collaboration with TU Delft and LUMC), the entire spectrum of post-graduate medical training as well as training programs for paramedics. The Erasmus MC Graduate School provides outstanding Research Masters and PhD programmes.

The available position will be embedded at the Institute of Medical Education Research Rotterdam (iMERR), which is an institute for research in medical education within Erasmus MC. iMERR is positioned within the department of Public Health, which is dedicated to improve population health at local, national, and international level through excellent research and education. Research at iMERR is multidisciplinary, covering a wide range of topics, such as selection procedures, diversity, well-being, clinical reasoning, patient safety, self-regulated learning, and skill retention. It also incorporates various research methods, both qualitative and quantitative. iMERR offers a great opportunity for growth, learning from an interdisciplinary team, and collaborating on other projects.

Qualifications and skills

• A master's degree in Psychology, Educational Sciences, Health Sciences, Medicine, or a related field.
• Strong analytical and research skills.
• An interest in clinical skills training, cognitive psychology, physiological measurements and healthcare.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and preferably also Dutch.
• You should be able to work both independently and as a member of a large multidisciplinary team (physicians, psychologists, educationalists).
• Being able to present a certificate of good conduct is a condition for the appointment.

Before you apply please check our conditions for employment.

Terms of employment

• You will receive a temporary position for 2 years. A PhD trajectory may be possible if additional funding is secured. The gross monthly salary amounts a minimum of € 3.493,- and a maximum of € 5.504,- (scale 10).
• Excellent fringe benefits, such as a 13th month that is already paid out in November and an individual travel expense package.
• Pension insurance with ABP. We take care of approximately 70% of the monthly contribution.
• Special benefits, such as an incompany physiotherapist and bicycle repairer. And there is also a gym where you can work on your fitness after work.
• A stimulating and collaborative research environment where we support maintaining a good work-life balance (e.g. working from home is possible).

More information

For more information about this position, please contact Dario Cecilio Fernandes, via d.fernandes@erasmusmc.nl.

For more information about iMERR, please look at Institute of Medical Education Research Rotterdam (iMERR) - Department - Erasmus MC.

No agencies please.