Postdoctoral researcher Occupational health research on measuring return to work

As a postdoctoral researcher, you will contribute to an international two-year research project focused on improving how return to work and employment status are measured in occupational health research.

The project builds on the international Core Outcome Set for Work Participation. While the first phase identified which outcomes should be measured, this next phase focuses on how return to work and employment status can be assessed in a valid, practical and internationally comparable way. The project will result in a pilot-tested measurement instrument that can be applied in intervention studies and systematic reviews.

You will work within an international consortium led by Amsterdam UMC, together with researchers from the University of Bologna, the University of Manchester and INAIL. The project combines methodological research, international collaboration and stakeholder involvement. You will work at the intersection of occupational health, outcome measurement, psychometrics and evidence synthesis, contributing to research that can improve the quality and comparability of occupational health studies worldwide.

You will combine methodological research, instrument development, collaboration and project coordination. Your activities include:

• mapping existing definitions and measurement methods for return to work and employment status;
• conducting qualitative and cognitive interviews with workers and relevant stakeholders;
• developing a prototype measurement instrument, including questions, definitions, instructions and a coding manual;
• pilot testing the instrument among workers who are absent from work or returning to work;
• evaluating feasibility, clarity, comprehensibility and preliminary measurement properties of the instrument.

In addition, you will:

• coordinate input and collaboration within the international consortium;
• contribute to scientific publications, guidance materials, training activities and dissemination;
• support the development of future research proposals on work participation and outcome measurement.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and methodologically strong researcher who enjoys working in an international and collaborative environment. You are able to work independently, take initiative and develop ideas together with researchers, workers and other stakeholders.

You bring:

• a completed PhD in occupational health, health sciences, epidemiology, psychology, rehabilitation, public health or a related field;
• experience with research methodology and qualitative and/or quantitative research;
• an interest in developing, evaluating and implementing measurement instruments;
• strong analytical skills and the ability to translate complex methodological questions into practical solutions;
• excellent scientific writing and communication skills in English;
• the ability to coordinate activities, maintain oversight and collaborate effectively within an international research team;
• a proactive, organised and collegial working style.

The following experience is considered an advantage:

• experience with psychometrics, COSMIN methodology, questionnaire development, cognitive interviewing or pilot testing;
• experience with return to work, work participation, employment outcomes or occupational health research;
• experience with literature reviews, evidence mapping or evidence synthesis;
• experience with core outcome set development, systematic reviews, intervention research or stakeholder involvement.