PhD on Realizing the first European Health Data Space focused on Prevention

at  TU Eindhoven

JOB DESCRIPTION

In spring 2024, the European Parliament and the Council reached a political agreement on the Commission proposal for the European Health Data Space (EHDS). The EHDS is the first common EU data space in a specific area to emerge from the European strategy for data. Overall, the leading initiatives focus on clinical data. At the same time, governments have started acknowledging the importance of health promotion and prevention. Our project aims to take a pioneering role in the Flanders-Netherlands border region by facilitating the interoperability of health-promoting technologies and the resulting personal data on lifestyle, well-being, and daily functioning. By creating a cross-border data space for prevention, we seek to optimize health benefits and innovation capacity while fostering collaboration among citizens, healthcare professionals, local governments, and businesses in the lifestyle and well-being sector.
As a fully funded PhD candidate, you will be part of two key work packages: first, you will contribute to Work Package 3 (WP3) focused on shaping the technical and ethical-legal-social (ELSA) conditions for a comprehensive “Prevention Data Space.” Your responsibilities will include investigating how data on lifestyle, well-being, and daily functioning can be uniformly measured, stored, and exchanged through digital applications. Additionally, you will play a crucial role in addressing the structural role of citizens in data collection and reuse for research and innovation, ensuring trust and ethical considerations are paramount. Second, you will take a leading role in WP4, where you will demonstrate to partners how personalized gamification strategies can be realized across borders. For that, you will prototype demonstrators (e.g., based on gamebus.eu), and lead partners such as selfcare.nl and bibopp.be into small- and large-scale living lab experiments.

Key Responsibilities:

• Conduct design science research on technical aspects of data exchange in health technology applications.
• Investigate ethical, legal, and social implications of health data collection and usage.
• Collaborate with project partners to develop and evaluate digital applications in field labs
• Engage with end-users to ensure acceptance and intentions to long-term use.
• Promote sustainability of project outcomes by disseminating findings to policy stakeholders and research infrastructure providers (e.g., health-ri.nl).
• Publish articles in impactful internationally peer-reviewed outlets (conferences and journals)

JOB REQUIREMENTS

• Fluency in Dutch/Flemish
• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Information Systems, Computer Science, Health/Clinical Informatics, or related fields.
• Strong background in data management/interoperability, privacy, and ethics.
• Proficiency in programming languages (e.g., Python, Java) and web technologies.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to work in interdisciplinary teams.
• A research-oriented attitude.
• Ability to work in an interdisciplinary team and interested in collaborating with industrial partners.
• Motivated to develop your teaching skills and coach students.
• Fluent in spoken and written English (C1 level).

ABOUT US

Eindhoven University of Technology is an internationally top-ranking university in the Netherlands that combines scientific curiosity with a hands-on attitude. Our spirit of collaboration translates into an open culture and a top-five position in collaborating with advanced industries. Fundamental knowledge enables us to design solutions for the highly complex problems of today and tomorrow.
Curious to hear more about what it’s like as a PhD candidate at TU/e? Please view the video.

• Conduct design science research on technical aspects of data exchange in health technology applications.
• Investigate ethical, legal, and social implications of health data collection and usage.
• Collaborate with project partners to develop and evaluate digital applications in field labs
• Engage with end-users to ensure acceptance and intentions to long-term use.
• Promote sustainability of project outcomes by disseminating findings to policy stakeholders and research infrastructure providers (e.g., health-ri.nl).
• Publish articles in impactful internationally peer-reviewed outlets (conferences and journals