1. You hold a university Master’s degree in a healthcare-related field (e.g. MSc in Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy, MSc in Occupational Therapy, MSc in Nursing and Midwifery, MSc in Healthcare Management and Policy, MSc in Gerontology, a Master of Advanced Studies in General Practice, or an equivalent degree).
2. At the time of appointment, you have a maximum of two years of scientific seniority.
3. You have a strong scientific mindset and good analytical and organisational skills.
4. You have a solid foundation in statistics and in quantitative and qualitative research methods.
5. You have (basic) knowledge of or a demonstrable interest in implementation science.
6. You have affinity with primary and community care and enjoy working in a practice-oriented research context.
7. You have excellent written communication skills and are able to write scientific texts fluently.
8. You are able to clearly present complex research findings, both orally and in writing.
9. You communicate fluently in Dutch and have a good command of English, both spoken and written (e.g. for publications and presentations at (inter)national conferences).
10. You have the personal competencies required to function successfully in an academic research environment, such as flexibility, curiosity and perseverance.
11. You work accurately and in a quality-oriented manner, with respect for academic standards, ethical guidelines and agreed deadlines.
12. You are able to cope with the inherent uncertainty of scientific research and remain motivated in the face of setbacks.
13. You are willing to further develop yourself both substantively and methodologically within the research domain.
14. You are flexible, able to respond to changing project needs, and can work both independently and as part of a team.
15. You take initiative, assume responsibility and are able to co-lead projects.
16. You are a team player who collaborates constructively with researchers and practice partners and is open to supervision and constructive feedback.
17. You have a critical, analytical and reflective attitude and can function efficiently in a dynamic working environment with changing priorities.
The research group is looking for a motivated PhD candidate to conduct implementation research in fall prevention among community-dwelling older adults. Falls represent a major global public health problem, particularly in ageing societies. Although strong scientific evidence exists for effective fall prevention programmes, these interventions are still insufficiently implemented in everyday practice.
This PhD project builds on BE-EMPOWERed, a systematically developed Belgian programme aimed at increasing the uptake of a multifactorial fall prevention intervention among community-dwelling older adults. The programme consists of a group-based intervention for older adults, workshops for healthcare professionals, and an implementation plan at the level of primary care zones.
BE-EMPOWERed has previously been successfully evaluated in a non-randomised mixed-methods study in four primary care zones. This PhD project represents the next step by simultaneously evaluating the (cost-)effectiveness on clinical outcomes as well as the implementation process and implementation outcomes of BE-EMPOWERed. This will be conducted through a pragmatic cluster-randomised effectiveness–implementation hybrid type 2 trial. The project is funded by the Research Foundation – Flanders (FWO; senior research project G033126N) and offers a unique opportunity to contribute to both scientific knowledge and societal impact.
Responsibilities
18. Conduct an in-depth review of the research topic through systematic study of the scientific literature and relevant research findings.
19. Actively contribute to the design, implementation and follow-up of the PhD project, including data collection and coordination across participating organisations.
20. Lead and coordinate meetings, report orally and in writing, and monitor the progress of the project and its sub-studies.
21. Plan, organise and support - together with colleagues and partners - research and implementation activities in an efficient and structured manner.
22. Develop, disseminate and implement scientifically grounded methods and materials in real-world practice settings.
23. Perform quantitative and qualitative scientific analyses and interpret the results in relation to clinical and implementation outcomes.
24. Write and publish scientific papers as well as other relevant reports and policy-oriented publications.
25. Present research findings at workshops, seminars and (inter)national conferences.
26. Provide training for different target groups and translate complex scientific insights into clear and accessible communication for practice and policy.
The FWO-funded PhD project will be conducted within the research group of Prof. Dr. Koen Milisen at the Academic Centre for Nursing and Midwifery. This research group specializes in the development, evaluation, and implementation of fall prevention interventions. The PhD researcher will work closely with the Flemish Centre of Expertise on Fall and Fracture Prevention (EVV), which is funded by the Flemish government. Within the EVV, six staff members focus on various outcome areas related to fall and fracture prevention among both community-dwelling older adults and older adults living in residential care facilities.
27. A one-year PhD scholarship, renewable based on performance and in accordance with KU Leuven doctoral regulations.
28. A challenging and varied position within an organisation with strong societal impact.
29. A motivated and enthusiastic multidisciplinary team that highly values collaboration, knowledge sharing and innovation.
30. The opportunity to combine scientific research with practice-oriented implementation in a dynamic research environment.
31. Ample opportunities for professional development, including training courses, workshops and participation in (inter)national conferences.
32. Appointment as a doctoral researcher at KU Leuven (PhD scholarship holder; see further information).
33. Preferred start date: April 2026, negotiable by mutual agreement.