PhD Implementation project for the conservative treatment of knee and/or hip osteoarthritis
1 - Working at the VUB
For more than 50 years, the Vrije Universiteit Brussel has stood for freedom, equality and solidarity, and this is very much alive on our campuses among students and staff alike.
At the VUB, you will find a diverse collection of personalities: innovators pur sang, but above all people who are 100% their authentic selves. With some 4,000 employees, we are the largest Dutch-speaking employer, in the private sector, in Brussels; an international city with which we are only too happy to connect and where (around) our 4 campuses are located.
Add to this our principle of free research - in which self-reflection, a critical attitude and an open, creative mind around scientific and social issues are central - and you have a university that is fundamentally groundbreaking and pioneering in education and research. In short: the VUB all over again.
Moreover, the VUB is a member of EUTOPIA, an alliance of like-minded European universities, all ready to reinvent themselves.
2 - Position description
The Faculteit Lichamelijke Opvoeding & Kinesitherapie, Department Kinesitherapie, Menselijke Fysiologie en Anatomie, is looking for a PhD-student with a doctoral grant.
More concretely your work package, for the preparation of a doctorate, contains:
Title: Implementation project for the conservative treatment of knee and/or hip osteoarthritis
Content: Knee and hip osteoarthritis (KHOA) are highly prevalent chronic conditions that impose a significant burden on individuals and society1. The growing prevalence, coupled with the heightened risk of reduced work capacity in OA patients, will intensify the strain on healthcare services and associated societal costs2. While there is no cure for OA, patient education, exercise, and weight management are key strategies for symptom reduction and functional improvement, aligning with international recommendations for managing KHOA3-6. Complementary approaches may involve the use of walking aids and pharmacological interventions. Joint replacement surgery is a clinically and cost-effective option7,8, but it should primarily be considered for patients who do not respond to non-surgical treatments4. In spite of the presence of these international treatment recommendations, the majority of OA patients do currently not undergo the core treatment modalities as recommended in international guidelines9. Therefore, the department of health care of the Federal Government of Belgium invests in appropriate implementation work to increase the number of people with KHOA being treated according to the current evidence and therefore guideline-based care. This project aims at developing multidisciplinary and monodisciplinary trainings and training materials; developing educational materials for patients with KHOA; exploration of options for supporting digital tool for patient self-management; exploration of options for digital tools for interprofessional communication; training trainers to provide the multidisciplinary and physiotherapist trainings; and finally training 600 healthcare providers (mainly general practitioners and physiotherapists) in guideline-based care for patients with KHOA.
For this function, our Brussels Health Campus (Jette) will serve as your home base.
3 - Profile
What do we expect from you?
You have a Master of Science degree in a field relevant to this project (e.g. rehabilitation sciences & physical therapy, clinical psychology, medicine, occupational therapy sciences).
- You are intrinsically motivated for the PhD topic and work accurately.
- You are intrinsically motivated to implement evidence-based guidelines for the conservative treatment of knee and hip osteoarthritis within the Belgian health care system.
- You are fluent in Dutch and English and have an academic writing style.
- You are quite proficient in French.
- You have good communication and teamwork skills.
- You have not performed any works in the execution of a mandate as an assistant, paid from operating resources, over a total (cumulated) period of more than 12 months.
The VUB wants to be a reflection of the society where everyone's talent is valued, regardless of gender, age, religion, skin color, migration background, disability and neurodiversity.
4 - Offer
Are you going to be our new colleague?
You’ll be offered a full-time PhD-scholarship, for 12 months (extendable up to max. 48 months, on condition of the positive evaluation of the PhD activities), with planned starting date 01/05/2025.
You’ll receive a grant linked to one of the scales set by the government.
IMPORTANT: The effective result of the doctorate scholarship is subject to the condition precedent of your enrolment as a doctorate student at the university.
At the VUB, you’re guaranteed an open, involved and diverse workplace where you are offered opportunities to (further) build on your career.
As well as this, you will also enjoy various other benefits:
- Extensive homeworking options, a telework allowance of 50 euros per month OR an internet fee of 20 euros per month;
- An open and informal working environment where attention is paid to work-life balance, and exceptional holiday arrangements with 35 days of leave (based on a fulltime contract), closure between Christmas and New Year and 3 extra leave days;
- Cost-free hospitalisation insurance;
- Full reimbursement of your home-to-work commute with public transport according to VUB-policy, and/or compensation if you come by bike;
- A wide selection of meals in our campus restaurants at attractive prices;
- Excellent and affordable facilities for sport and exercise, a range of discounts via Benefits@Work (in all kinds of shops, on flights, in petrol stations, amusement parks...) and Ecocheques;
- Nursery near campus, discount on holiday camps;
- The space to form your job content and to continuously learn through our VUB learning platforms and training courses;
- And finally: great colleagues with a healthy drive.
5 - Interested?
Is this the job you’ve been dreaming of?
Then apply, at the latest on 19/03/2025, via e-mail to liesbet.debaets@kuleuven.be & jo.nijs@vub.be and upload the following documents:
- your CV;
- your motivation letter in English;
- an overview of your study results for all subjects taken in Bachelor and Master (including graduation degrees);
- your diploma (not applicable for VUB alumni).
The selection interview will take place on 24/03/25 in the morning in Jette.
Do you have questions about the job content? Contact Jo Nijs / Liesbet De Baets at jo.nijs@vub.be / liesbet.debaets@kuleuven.be.
Would you like to know what it’s like to work at the VUB? Go to jobs.vub.be, and find all there is to know about our campuses, benefits, strategic goals and your future colleagues.
Would you like more information about EUTOPIA? Go to eutopia-university.eu, and read more about the role of the VUB in the development of the EUTOPIA alliance.
