PhD Candidate on Social Engagement in HIV Cure
Welcome to Maastricht University!
Do you want to contribute to global health by helping develop ethical and equitable HIV cure strategies? Are you passionate about social science research with real-world impact? Then this PhD position might be perfect for you.
PhD Candidate on Social Engagement in HIV Cure
- Our goal: HIV remains one of the greatest public health challenges of our time. Although biomedical research on HIV cure is advancing rapidly, ethical and equitable implementation across the globe requires an equally strong social scientific foundation. With this PhD project, we aim to close critical knowledge gaps and ensure that communities most affected by HIV are meaningfully involved in shaping the future of HIV cure research.
- Your colleagues: You will join an international and interdisciplinary consortium that brings together social scientists, biomedical researchers, clinicians, health economists, communication specialists, and members of the HIV community. The project involves close collaboration between Maastricht University, University Medical Centre Utrecht, and partner institutions in sub-Saharan Africa (Zambia, South Africa, Uganda). Together, you will work toward socially engaged and ethically responsible HIV cure strategies.
The HIV epidemic has tremendous impact on global health and there is an urgent need to develop globally accessible curative strategies for HIV. This PhD project is part of an international, interdisciplinary consortium that brings together social scientists, biomedical researchers, clinicians, health economists, communication specialists, HIV community members, and other global stakeholders in a concerted effort to close knowledge gaps and inform the design of ethical and equitable cure interventions. In this project, the candidate will work with social scientists based in various institutions in the Netherlands and sub-Saharan Africa (Zambia, South Africa, Uganda) to generate actionable insights for social engagement in HIV cure efforts through mixed methods social scientific research. The project includes comprehensive stakeholder analyses, followed by qualitative and quantitative research on 1) the awareness, importance, and meaning assigned to HIV cure by global stakeholders (e.g. governmental bodies, people with HIV, pharmaceutical companies, researchers); 2) the degree to which affected populations can and should be meaningfully engaged in HIV cure efforts; 3) the risk and benefit balance in HIV cure trials. The PhD candidate will be employed at Maastricht University and will also spend time at University Medical Centre Utrecht under the supervision of Dr. Kim Romijnders.
What you do
- Conducting a comprehensive analysis of international stakeholders in HIV cure efforts, their interests, and their relations.
- Conducting qualitative research with stakeholders via onsite and online interviews and focus group discussions, using thematic analyses.
- Conducting a Delphi study on criteria for an acceptable HIV cure.
- Collaborating with academic and non-academic stakeholders from various fields of work, both nationally and internationally.
- Presenting research output at national and international conferences, in academic articles, and, ultimately, in a dissertation.
- Engaging in science communication practices whereby research findings are actively conveyed to non-academic audiences.
- Providing input for the consortium’s internal monitoring and evaluation, and for periodic reports to funders.
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?
For this position, we are looking for someone who is keen to work in an interdisciplinary and international context. The candidate should feel comfortable working collaboratively in diverse teams. They should espouse a curious and open attitude that is marked by a willingness to learn and grow, and (sub-)cultural humility. Adaptability and resilience are clear assets in this project, as is conscientiousness and project management skills. Overall, we are looking for the following skills and qualifications:
- An MSc in the social sciences (e.g., global health, public health, health psychology, social psychology, health promotion, anthropology, international development).
- An interest in or affinity with the topic of HIV, which may include previously working or volunteering in the field of HIV or sexual and reproductive health and rights.
- The ability to network and build rapport with national and international stakeholders, and to liaise with researchers at other institutes.
- Analytical and critical thinking skills.
- Qualitative and quantitative research skills, and a willingness to further develop these skills.
- Resilience and the ability to embrace challenges and pivot as needed.
- Conscientiousness and organizational skills, including time and project management skills.
- Willingness to travel between Maastricht University and University Medical Centre Utrecht, and to partner institutes in Sub-Saharan Africa.
- Proficiency in English and, preferably, also Dutch.
What we offer
As A PhD Candidate 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 P according to UFO profile PhD Candidate, with corresponding salary based on experience ranging from €3059,00 and €3881,00 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 12 months with a scope of 0.8-1.0 FTE. Upon a positive evaluation, an extension of 3 years will follow.
- 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.
Curious?
Are you interested in this exciting position but still have questions? Feel free to contact Sarah Stutterheim at s.stutterheim@maastrichtuniversity.nl for more information.
Applying?
Or are you already convinced and ready to become our new PhD Candidate? Apply now, no later than 20 October 2025, for this position.
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.