Doctor in pharmaceutical sciences, Doctor in biomedical sciences, Doctor in medicine, Doctor in bioengineering, Doctor in law, Doctor in bioethics, or Doctor in social sciences with outspoken interest in regulatory sciences, public/patient preferences. Candidates with a Doctoral degree in another field may apply if they can demonstrate their expertise and interest in public/patient preferences, regulatory sciences, market access and/or health economics..
You will engage yourself with enthusiasm and perseverance. You are ambitious, dynamic, flexible and take an open attitude towards problems and evolutions. You are directed towards innovation and patient access. You are able to work independently and take decisions. You have excellent social and communication skills to deal with all stakeholders in this field. You are able to work in an international multidisciplinary team and cooperate with other team members. You have good written and oral knowledge of English. (Native) Dutch or French speaking background is a plus. You have good didactic skills and you can coach and motivate other persons.
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Screening with low-dose CT scans has been shown in large clinical trials to significantly reduce lung cancer mortality. However, the success of such screening programs depends not only on their clinical effectiveness but also on sufficient participation by eligible individuals. Participation rates remain low, partly due to a lack of clear and accessible information. To address this, screening programs must be implemented through a structured approach that supports informed decision-making by clearly communicating the benefits, risks, and potential outcomes of screening. One proven strategy is shared decision-making (SDM), a collaborative process where individuals are actively supported to make healthcare decisions that align with their values and preferences. Patient Decision Aids (PtDAs) are important tools in facilitating SDM. Available in formats such as brochures, videos, or digital tools, PtDAs provide balanced, easy-to-understand information about screening. Research shows that these tools improve knowledge, reduce decisional conflict, and support more personalized choices.
In Flanders, population-based screening programs already exist for breast, cervical, and colorectal cancers. Despite the high burden of lung cancer, no organized screening program is currently in place. As discussions on the potential implementation of such a program continue, it is essential to ensure that future participants are adequately informed and supported in making decisions. This highlights the importance of developing and evaluating effective SDM strategies and PtDAs tailored specifically to lung cancer screening.
This project will be conducted in close collaboration with clinical researchers, healthcare providers, policymakers, and patient representatives to ensure that the developed tools and strategies are fit-for-purpose in real-world healthcare settings.
The first key component of this project focuses on conducting a Discrete Choice Experiment (DCE) to gain insight into how eligible individuals weigh the benefits and risks of participating in lung cancer screening. Given that there is currently no lung cancer screening program in Flanders, it is crucial to first understand how the target population approaches the decision to participate. This knowledge will be essential for designing and implementing SDM strategies that encourage informed, values-based decision-making. Without a solid understanding of how individuals view the pros and cons of screening, it would be difficult to implement an effective and widely accepted lung cancer screening program.
This work will provide a strong evidence base to inform future screening policies and shared decision-making strategies. The postdoctoral researcher will actively contribute to:
Designing and executing the Discrete Choice Experiment (DCE)
1. Support the development of the DCE to explore which attributes most influence individuals’ decisions regarding lung cancer screening.
2. Analyze data to identify preference patterns and critical trade-offs made by potential screening participants.
Preparations for the evaluation of a patient decision aid (PtDA)
3. Based on insights from the DCE and in collaboration with clinical partners, help prepare the groundwork for implementing and testing the PtDA in the clinical context of lung cancer screening.
4. Contribute to the development of study protocols, outcome measures, and ethical submissions needed for a future clinical study evaluating the PtDA.
5. Play a key role in identifying and pursuing funding opportunities to support this next phase, including writing and contributing to grant proposals.
Contributing to broader research and implementation planning
6. Support efforts to explore how SDM strategies can be sustainably integrated into emerging lung cancer screening policies
7. Work closely with stakeholders, including public health authorities and patient organizations, to ensure alignment with broader healthcare priorities.
8. Contribute to academic publications, conference presentations, and knowledge dissemination activities.
Description of function
9. You perform and co-supervise research in the described research domain. You are involved in the design, set-up, and execution of the research, and you report on the results in scientific publications.
10. You are motivated to collaborate with external stakeholders to formulate widely supported solutions.
11. You coach master students and PhD students carrying out their master and doctoral thesis.
12. You are open to teaching activities
The unit Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy at KU Leuven is looking for a Postdoctoral researcher to contribute to the development, implementation, and evaluation of shared decision-making (SDM) strategies for lung cancer screening. We are a dynamic research group within the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, working on various projects in regulatory science, market access, and clinical decision-making. This project provides the opportunity to collaborate with KU Leuven and UZ Leuven researchers, healthcare professionals, and external partners, including governmental representatives, regulatory authorities, patient organizations, and industry stakeholders at national and international levels.
A full-time position starting from September 1st, 2025within a highly motivated research group with relevant experience and expertise. For this job, a one-year contract is offered that, after a positive evaluation, can be extended.