PhD Position: Leadership Development in Older Persons Care (ref. BAP-2025-591)

This PhD is positioned within a joint doctoral PhD project between the Academic Centre for Nursing and Midwifery (AccentVV), affiliated with the Department of Public Health and Primary Care at KU Leuven, and the Care and Ethics research group within the Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences at Hasselt University (UHasselt). The research will be supervised by promotors from both institutions, and the candidate will have access to the academic infrastructure of both universities.

https://gbiomed.kuleuven.be/en...

Project

You will conduct doctoral research on leadership development in older persons care. Your focus will be on understanding how leadership takes shape and can be strengthened within residential care settings. Under the guidance of an experienced supervisory team, you will take an active role in:

• designing and conducting studies;
• analyzing and interpreting data;
• publishing your findings;
• sharing insights with practice partners as well as the broader public.

In addition, you will actively contribute to the expansion of the current Network for Leadership Development in Care and support teaching activities within the Master of Nursing and Midwifery programme.

Profile

• You are curious, critical, and eager to grow as a researcher.
• You have a passion for leadership and older persons care. (Experience in the field is a plus.)
• You are motivated to deepen your understanding of scientific research. (Research experience is an asset, but not a requirement.)
• You have the desire and ability to further develop your methodological and statistical skills and are committed to completing a PhD.
• You hold a Master’s degree in one of the following domains: healthcare management and policy, psychological or educational sciences, medicine, nursing, rehabilitation sciences and physiotherapy, occupational therapy, biomedical sciences, social sciences/social work (or a similar field). You achieved an excellent academic record, with at least distinction in your final year.
• You have strong oral and written communication skills in both Dutch and English.
• You possess strong analytical skills and a critical mindset.
• You demonstrate solid project management abilities, problem-solving skills, and didactic qualities.
• You are well-organized, proactive, and capable of working independently.
• At the same time, you are flexible and enjoy working collaboratively in a team environment.

Offer

• A position within a socially relevant research project.
• An initial one-year appointment, with the possibility of extension up to a total duration of 4 or 6 years depending on full-time or part-time engagement.
• An excellent opportunity to follow the doctoral training programme of the faculty, sharpen your research skills, and obtain a PhD degree.
• Supervision within a dynamic team and access to a broad network in the healthcare sector.
• Professional development opportunities through seminars, the Doctoral School for Patient Related and Public Health Research at KU Leuven, and national and international summer schools and conferences.
• Attractive employment conditions and additional benefits via KU Leuven, including paid holidays, reimbursement of commuting costs by public transport, advantageous health and hospitalization insurance, discounts in university restaurants, and access to sports and cultural facilities.

https://gbiomed.kuleuven.be/en...