PhD Candidate in Women's Health & Bleeding Disorders

Welcome to Maastricht University!
Are you passionate about haemostasis, women’s health, and patient-centered research? Join our interdisciplinary team as a PhD candidate within the national BDUC-iN study and the ‘Bloedserieus’ women’s health initiative, and contribute to innovative research aimed at improving care for patients with unexplained bleeding symptoms!

PhD Candidate in Women's Health & Bleeding Disorders - Advancing Diagnosis, Quality of Life and Care Pathways in BDUC-iN and Bloedserieus

• • Our goal: Our goal is to improve the lives of individuals with unexplained bleeding symptoms by reducing diagnostic delay, improving quality of life, and advancing personalised care. Through the national BDUC-iN study and the Bloedserieus women’s health initiative, we aim to improve the recognition, diagnosis, and management of bleeding disorders, with a particular focus on women and girls. By combining patient-centered research, innovative diagnostics, and multidisciplinary collaboration, we address important unmet needs in bleeding disorders and women’s health.
  • Your colleagues: You will join an enthusiastic and multidisciplinary team of hematologists, laboratory specialists, gynecologists, researchers, research nurses, and fellow PhD candidates working at Maastricht UMC+ and within the national BDUC-iN network. You will work closely with fellow PhD candidates, clinicians, laboratory specialists, and national collaborators, taking a central role in the execution of these innovative projects. The BDUC-iN study is embedded within a strong collaborative national and international research network, including all Dutch Haemophilia Treatment Centres, Sanquin Research, and the SYMPHONY consortium, providing an inspiring environment to connect with experts across disciplines. Within the Bloedserieus initiative, you will also collaborate with general practitioners, GP specialists with expertise in women’s health, gynecologists, and healthcare professionals across primary, intermediate (1.5-line), and tertiary care settings. Together, we aim to improve awareness, recognition, referral pathways, and multidisciplinary care for girls and women with bleeding symptoms. Within the team, there is a strong focus on collaboration, personal development, scientific excellence, and translating research findings into meaningful improvements in patient care.

Study summary 
Despite advances in laboratory diagnostics, current standard hemostasis tests identify a hemostatic defect in only 25–50% of individuals referred for evaluation of bleeding symptoms. These patients receive a diagnosis of Bleeding Disorder of Unknown Cause (BDUC). Although no clear laboratory abnormality is identified, patients with BDUC experience bleeding symptoms and risks comparable to those of patients with known bleeding disorders, significantly affecting quality of life and daily functioning. 
To address these unmet clinical and scientific needs, the prospective multicenter BDUC-iN study was established. Within this nationwide collaboration between Dutch Haemophilia Treatment Centres, we evaluate patient-reported outcomes, quality of life, healthcare utilisation, diagnostic strategies, and treatment approaches in patients with BDUC. In parallel, innovative laboratory diagnostics, multi-omics, and fundamental research are being used to improve understanding of the underlying mechanisms of bleeding.

Alongside the BDUC-iN study, the “Bloedserieus” women’s health initiative, focused on improving early recognition and diagnostic pathways for girls and women with heavy menstrual bleeding and postpartum haemorrhage who may have an underlying bleeding disorder. The project combines patient-centered screening tools, qualitative research, and implementation of targeted haemostasis diagnostics across primary, secondary, and tertiary care.
This PhD position is embedded within both projects and has a strong focus on qualitative and patient-centered research. The candidate will contribute to improving quality of life, reducing diagnostic delay, and optimising multidisciplinary care pathways for individuals with unexplained bleeding symptoms, with a particular focus on women’s health and patient experiences.

What you do

We offer a position for a clinically oriented PhD candidate with a strong focus on qualitative and patient-centered research. You will explore patient experiences and healthcare needs through interviews, focus groups, and patient-reported outcomes, generating insights that directly contribute to improving clinical care. In addition, you will evaluate and optimise current diagnostic and care pathways and contribute to the implementation of innovative screening strategies for women with possible inherited bleeding disorders.
The position includes direct patient contact during recruitment, inclusion, and follow-up of study participants. You will collect and analyse qualitative and quantitative data, prepare scientific manuscripts, present findings at national and international conferences, and contribute to educational activities and future grant applications.
The BDUC-iN study is embedded within a strong collaborative national and international research network, providing an inspiring environment to connect with experts across disciplines. As a PhD candidate, you will also have access to comprehensive training programs to support your academic and professional development. Ultimately, this position encompasses working towards a doctorate degree.

Your tasks:

• Lead and contribute to the day-to-day execution of the multicenter BDUC-iN study and the Bloedserieus initiative.
• Design and conduct qualitative research, including patient interviews, focus groups, and patient-reported outcome studies.
• Explore patient experiences, quality of life, diagnostic delay, and healthcare needs in individuals with unexplained bleeding symptoms.
• Evaluate and optimise diagnostic and clinical care pathways across primary, secondary, and tertiary care settings.
• Contribute to innovative screening strategies for women with heavy menstrual bleeding and postpartum haemorrhage who may have an underlying bleeding disorder.
• Recruit and follow study participants, collect clinical and patient-reported outcome data, and collaborate closely with patients and healthcare professionals.
• Analyse qualitative and quantitative data and translate findings into meaningful improvements in clinical practice and patient care.
• Prepare scientific manuscripts, present findings at national and international conferences, and contribute to educational activities, dissemination of knowledge, and future grant applications.

Are you ready to set the course for the years ahead? Then we’d love to meet you.

What you bring 
We’re not looking for checkboxes; we’re interested in who you are and what you bring. Do you recognize yourself in this?

• A Master's degree in a related field (e.g., Medicine, Biomedical Science).
• Affinity with haemostasis, women’s health, qualitative research, or patient-centered care.
• Experience working with human subjects and patients in research or clinical care.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills.
• Basic statistical analysis skills and proficiency in relevant software (such as Excel, SPSS, R).
• Proficiency in written and spoken English and Dutch.
• Willingness to travel to international network events and consortium partners.

If you are passionate about improving care for individuals with unexplained bleeding symptoms, advancing women’s health, and contributing to impactful patient-centered research, we encourage you to apply. Join us in making a meaningful difference in the lives of patients with BDUC and girls and women with inherited bleeding disorders!

 What we offer 
At Maastricht University, you’ll work in an international, open, and engaged environment. We offer:

• A 12-month contract (0,8 - 1,0 fte) with the prospect of a three-year extension.
• A gross monthly salary between €3059,00 and €3881,00 (based on full-time employment of 38 hours per week). 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% year-end bonus.
• 29 vacation days (based on full-time), four additional days off (Carnival Monday and Tuesday, Good Friday, and Liberation Day), and the possibility to accrue up to 12 extra days through compensation hours.
• Flexible working hours, a home office allowance, and the option to work from home.
• Freedom and space to shape your work independently and develop your ideas.
• A close-knit community of colleagues to collaborate and grow with.
• A solid pension plan via ABP, company fitness schemes, and access to various university sports facilities.
• An inspiring work environment in the heart of Europe.

About the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences (FHML)
FHML is committed to health in the broadest sense: from molecule to human, and from healthcare to prevention. We train healthcare professionals and researchers through innovative educational programmes and conduct groundbreaking research in health and well-being. As part of Maastricht UMC+ (MUMC+), our international and interdisciplinary community forms a unique collaboration between university and academic hospital, where education, research, and care come together.

Interested?
Want to know more about this position or what it’s like to work at our university? Reach out to dr. Floor Heubel-Moenen at floor.moenen@mumc.nl, or Amber van Dulmen, one of the current PhD students on the BDUC-iN project, at amber.van.dulmen@mumc.nl. The end date of the publication is 30 June 2026.

First interviews will take place between July 1st and July 8th, with the intended start date on August 1st, 2026.

Apply now via the button below. We look forward to getting to know you!

About Maastricht University
At Maastricht University, we collaboratively seek solutions to help move the world forward. We do this with 23,300 students and 5,400 employees across 5 regional locations, 6 faculties, and more than 70 research institutes. We encourage you to push boundaries and discover new opportunities for yourself and the world around you. Together, we can find the answers for tomorrow.

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

At Maastricht University, we prefer to contact potential candidates directly. We therefore kindly ask that no agencies or intermediaries submit offers or approaches.

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.