Junior Researcher on evidence translation into vaccine promotion policies

Within the EU funded co-OPERATOR project on vaccination hesitancy we are searching for a junior researcher for 14 months/0.8fte. Your main function will be to support the research and co-creation activities translating the research evidence collected into policy recommendations to counter vaccination hesitancy for Covid 19.

Job Description/ What are you going to do?

• (Support to) planning and execution of data collection and analysis
  • Conduct of expert interviews and their analysis 
  • Conduct of stakeholder focus groups and their analysis 
  • Support the planning of focus groups in other partner countries 
  • Reporting of findings in form of scientific publications and project reports
• Participation and preparation of project meetings 
• Support to scientific and stakeholders’ events

Background 
The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed important obstacles when promoting vaccinations. Whilst most people wanted to get vaccinated, approximately one in five individuals were likely to be hesitant. In addition, vaccination strategy/policy, targeted population, accessibility to immunization service delivery and trust in healthcare professionals and policymakers who decide on the needed vaccines may impact on vaccine uptake. Policymakers still struggle to understand what motivates or hinders people to get vaccinated. Tailored campaigns are proposed to target the psychological dimensions that can hinder vaccination uptake. Moreover, the role of healthcare professionals is paramount in the general public’s decision to vaccinate. Recommendations by healthcare professionals was among the strongest predictors of getting vaccinated during the pandemic. Countries are currently prioritizing training for healthcare  professionals to effectively communicate with patients about vaccines. When messages are clear and credible in a language the target group can understand, this is associated with higher acceptability of vaccines. Still, healthcare professionals remain one of the most trusted advisors in vaccination decisions, highlighting the importance of their engagement in the fight against vaccine hesitancy and shall be at the forefront of efforts to counteract disinformation and to improve health literacy (and vaccine literacy in particular) among patients and citizens at large. Therefore, tackling the decline in vaccination confidence is one of the key areas for action. To do so, it is imperative for actions to help decision-makers to first understand what hinders and help both the people to get vaccinated and the healthcare professionals to provide expert advice and inform their vaccination campaigns. 

The co-OPERATOR project: 
Against this background, the co-OPERATOR project is currently collecting and disseminate knowledge, related to stakeholders’ strategies used and needs towards vaccination against COVID-19 with an emphasis on advancing communication and tackling systemic barriers and facilitators for promoting vaccination messages to the population. The aim of the project is to develop an online Country-Observatory to share best practices and linked training systems in participating countries. As Maastricht University we are in the lead of the work package on translating research evidence to 
policy recommendations (WP6) which engages with stakeholders through various methods to understand barriers, knowledge gaps and needs to then co-create practical solutions for implementation 
at regional and national and European level. We ultimately strive for evidence-based recommendations to decision makers and guidance to health authorities to increase vaccination coverage in target 
populations. 

Requirements/What you offer?

• A completed MSc in public health, health sciences, healthcare management or social sciences
• First experiences in either conducting research to provide policy advice or in qualitative research methods and analysis as proven by a Master (and Bachelor) thesis or other activities
• Interest in vaccination promotion/countering vaccine hesitancy
• Intention to publish research results, interest in other forms of science communication
• Flexible, proactive and independent
• A team player in an interdisciplinary and international setting
• Able to work in a planned and structured manner and meeting deadlines
• High level of fluency in written and spoken English. 

What we offer
As Junior Researcher on evidence translation into vaccine promotion policies at Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, you will be employed by the most international university in the Netherlands, located in the beautiful city of Maastricht. In addition, we offer you:

• Good employment conditions. The position is graded in scale 10 according to UFO profile Researcher, with corresponding salary based on experience ranging from €3378,00 and €5331,00 gross per month (based on a full-time employment of 38 hours per week). In addition to the monthly salary, an 8.0% holiday allowance and an 8.3% year-end bonus apply.
• An employment contract for a period of 14 months with a scope of 0.8 FTE.
• At Maastricht University, the well-being of our employees is of utmost importance, we offer flexible working hours and the possibility to work partly from home if the nature of your position allows it. You will receive a monthly commuting and internet allowance for this. If you work full-time, you will be entitled to 29 vacation days and 4 additional public holidays per year, namely carnival Monday, carnival Tuesday, Good Friday, and Liberation Day. If you choose to accumulate compensation hours, an additional 12 days will be added. Furthermore, you can personalize your employment conditions through a collective labor agreement (CAO) choice model. 
• As Maastricht University, we offer various other excellent secondary employment conditions. These include a good pension scheme with the ABP and the opportunity for UM employees to participate in company fitness and make use of the extensive sports facilities that we also offer to our students. 
• Last but certainly not least, we provide the space and facilities for your personal and professional development. We facilitate this by offering a wide range of training programs and supporting various well-established initiatives such as 'acknowledge and appreciate'. 
   

The terms of employment at Maastricht University are largely set out in the collective labor agreement of Dutch Universities. In addition, local provisions specific to UM apply. For more information, click here.

Maastricht University
Why work at Maastricht University?
At Maastricht University (UM), everything revolves around the future. The future of our students, as we work to equip them with a solid, broad-based foundation for the rest of their lives. And the future of society, as we seek solutions through our research to issues from all around the world. Our six faculties combined provide a comprehensive package of study programmes and research.

In our teaching, we use the Problem-Based Learning (PBL) method. Students work in small groups, looking for solutions to problems themselves. By discussing issues and working together to draw conclusions, formulate answers and present them to their peers, students develop essential skills for their future careers.

With over 22,300 students and more than 5,000 employees from all over the world, UM is home to a vibrant and inspiring international community.

Are you drawn to an international setting focused on education, science and scholarship? Are you keen to contribute however your skills and qualities allow? Our door is open to you! As a young European university, we value your talent and look forward to creating the future together.

Click here for more information about UM. 

Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences
At the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences (FHML), everything revolves around healthy living. Our research and education are not solely focused on recovery, but place a strong emphasis on prevention, health preservation, and health promotion. Our aim is to use our knowledge and expertise to genuinely contribute to the well-being of individual people as well as society in total. 

In, research, and healthcare, FHML is closely collaborating with the academic hospital in Maastricht, together forming the Maastricht University Medical Center (MUMC+).  FHML is strongly connected in education, research, and care with the Maastricht academic hospital, together with which it forms the Maastricht University Medical Centre (MUMC+). 

FHML, which is the largest faculty of Maastricht University, is formed by an (inter)national community of employees and students. The faculty offers a wide range of Dutch and English-taught bachelor's and master's programs in innovative educational concepts in which the emphasis is always on building bridges to practice.
 

The multidisciplinary research of the FHML focuses on a number of carefully chosen topical current themes. In addition to research aimed at gaining new insights, it also concerns research whose results can be directly translated into concrete applications and innovations. The implementation of the various research programs is organized in our six graduate schools and two institutes.

 
Department

The FHML Department of International Health focusses on health policy and workforce development in public health to support policy-makers and practitioners in evidence-informed decision making. We do this by interdisciplinary, innovative education and research with societal relevance addressing health and societal challenges and proposing solutions with impact at the local, national and international level. 

CAPHRI – Care and Public Health Research Institute 
CAPHRI works towards better health for everyone through innovative solutions for healthcare and public health care. CAPHRI builds bridges between science and society by conducting research with an 
inclusive and participatory approach. The research focuses on prevention and innovation ranging from public - and primary health care, to person-oriented long-term care. 

Our research has a strong multidisciplinary approach with attention to local, regional and global themes embedded in six research lines: Ageing and Long-Term Care, Creating Value-Based Health Care, 
Functioning, Participation and Rehabilitation, Health Inequities and Societal Participation, Optimising 
Patient Care; and Promoting Health and Personalised Care. 

Working at CAPHRI means being engaged in an active and inspiring academic setting and making a real contribution to the improvement of care and public health. CAPHRI attracts top scientists from around the world and is known for its comprehensive PhD training programme for young talented scientists. 
https://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/research/care-and-public-health-research-institute 

Curious?
Are you interested in this exciting position but still have questions? Feel free to contact Timo Clemens at  timo.clemens@maastrichtuniversity.nl for more information.

Applying?
Or are you already convinced and ready to become our new Junior Researcher? Apply now, no later than June 17, 2025 for this position. 

Please upload your CV, motivation letter, grade list, contact information of 2 referees, and evidence of first research experiences.

 
The first interviews preferably take place in the second half of June. 

The vacancy is open for internal and external candidates. In case of equal qualifications, internal candidates will be prioritized.

Maastricht University is committed to promoting and nurturing a diverse and inclusive community. We believe that diversity in our staff and student population contributes to the quality of research and education at UM, and strive to enable this through inclusive policies and innovative projects led by teams of staff and students. We encourage you to apply for this position.