English speaking vacancies in Holland: VACANCY: How safe should donor blood be?

Sunday, 3 March 2013

VACANCY: How safe should donor blood be? - PhD project in public health ethics

Sanquin is looking for a PhD student, department of Blood-borne Infections, Amsterdam (36 hours). How safe should donor blood be? - PhD project in public health ethics

Location	Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Function types	Technical, Laboratory positions, PhD positions, Research, Development, Innovation
Scientific fields	Natural Sciences, Health, Behaviour and Society
Hours	36.0 hours per week
Education	University Graduate
Job number	AT MK 05-13 EXTEW
Translations	en

Job description

How safe should donor blood be? - PhD project in public health ethics

Donated blood is screened for infectious agents to protect patients against infection. Such screening measures are effective in reducing risks to a minimum, but the quest for
safety comes at a cost. For example, the incremental cost-effectiveness of specific screening tests can be more than 1,000,000 euro/QALY, which is very high even compared to the most expensive medical treatments. How far should one go in preventing infection risks? This research project analyses this question from an ethical point of view. The project includes (a) clarification and review of the normative assumptions and arguments in current blood screening policies, (b) philosophical analysis of core concepts like precaution, safety, reasonable risk and responsibility, and (c) normative ethical analysis of obligations to maintain and promote blood safety. The study combines philosophical analysis with (focus group) interviews of stakeholders. The goal is to develop a sensible idea of obligatory and reasonable precautions against infection; and to define practical criteria for blood donor screening that are to be recommended to Sanquin.

Requirements

For this PhD research project we seek a graduated (MA level) philosopher/bioethicist with excellent skills in normative and conceptual analysis in practical ethics. The successful candidate will have a good mix of relevant skills and qualities, including:

curiosity and passion for studying practical philosophical problems, notably in relation to public health
excellence in academic writing
good communicative skills, notably capability to discuss ethical issues and arguments with medical professionals and policy makers
eagerness to work in a multidisciplinary context.

Preferably (s)he has knowledge of ethical discussions about risk and safety, and some experience with interviews and/or focus group studies.

Conditions of employment

salary and conditions are conform CAO Sanquin;
a 36-hour-week;
reimbursement of travel expenses;
a temporary appointment for a period of 1 year, if successful, will be extended to cover 4 years in total;
working hours are fixed by mutual agreement;
8,33% year-end;
by full-time employment 201 vacation hours;
PhD training and supervision according to the regulations of the Netherlands School for Research in Philosophy (Onderzoekschool Wijsbegeerte);
supervision by professor Hans Zaaijer (Sanquin and University of Amsterdam, Blood-borne Infections) and dr Marcel Verweij (as of May 1st 2013: professor of
philosophy, Wageningen University);
excellent conditions for research in public health ethics: lively debate, enthusiastic colleagues with an international focus, and a fruitful work environment at the Chair Group Philosophy at Wageningen University and at Sanquin (Amsterdam);

Contract type: Temporary, 1 year, if successful, will be extended to cover 4 years in total

Organisation

Sanquin

Sanquin performs basic, applied, and clinically oriented research in the field of blood and blood transfusion. Our research is focussed on haematology, blood coagulation, immunology, cellular therapies and donor studies. Sanquin offers an international, competitive, multidisciplinary research environment with state-of-the-art facilities.

With over 200 colleagues, our focus is on both fundamental and applied research. We are interested in meeting ambitious researchers with training in life sciences, cell biology, biochemistry, or health sciences.

Sanquin Blood Supply Foundation is responsible for the blood supply in the Netherlands, and is affiliated to the University of Amsterdam and other universities in the Netherlands.

Department

Blood-borne infections

At the department of Blood-borne infections, we study the epidemiology and detection of blood-transmittable agents. In addition we analyse decision-making and cost-effectiveness of preventive safety measures.

Additional information

For further information about the project itself you can contact Hans Zaaijer on email: h.zaaijer@sanquin.nl.
Canvassing in response to this advertisement is not welcome.

More information about employer Sanquin Blood Supply Foundation (Sanquin) on AcademicTransfer. Direct link to this job opening: www.academictransfer.com/17523

Original found here: http://www.academictransfer.com/employer/Sanquin/vacancy/17523/lang/en/

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As from 19 June 2011 the Netherlands has a new purpose of stay: the European Blue Card. The European Blue Card is a separate purpose of stay in addition to the existing National Highly Skilled Migrant Programme. The EU Blue Card Council Directive is intended for highly skilled foreign nationals who do not have EU, EEA or Swiss nationality, and who wish to work in one of the member states of the EU. The Directive is also meant to make it easier to settle in another EU member state. A residence permit will always be required in that other member state, however. To obtain this residence permit the employee must comply with the conditions applicable in that member state.

The conditions for residence in the Netherlands as an EU Blue Card holder are stricter than those for residence as a Highly Skilled Migrant. The employee must have a contract for highly qualified employment for at least one year, earning at least EUR 60,000 gross (in 2011). The employee must have completed a course of higher education lasting at least three years. The employee must prove this by having his diploma assessed by Nuffic. For a regulated profession, a competent authority will take decisions about the admission to that profession.

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