Doctoral research fall and fracture prevention, implementation and cost-effectiveness

Offer Description

Academic Centre for Nursing and Midwifery

Organisation/Company KU LEUVEN Department Academic Centre for Nursing and Midwifery Research Field Medical sciences » Medicine Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Final date to receive applications 16 Feb 2026 - 23:59 (UTC) Country Belgium Type of Contract To be defined Job Status Full-time Offer Starting Date 20 Apr 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Reference Number BAP-2026-23 Marie Curie Grant Agreement Number 0 Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

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, qualifications and offers:

• Conduct an in-depth review of the research topic through systematic study of the scientific literature and relevant research findings.
• Actively contribute to the design, implementation and follow-up of the PhD project, including data collection and coordination across participating organisations.
• Lead and coordinate meetings, report orally and in writing, and monitor the progress of the project and its sub-studies.
• Plan, organise and support - together with colleagues and partners - research and implementation activities in an efficient and structured manner.
• Develop, disseminate and implement scientifically grounded methods and materials in real-world practice settings.
• Perform quantitative and qualitative scientific analyses and interpret the results in relation to clinical and implementation outcomes.
• Write and publish scientific papers as well as other relevant reports and policy-oriented publications.
• Present research findings at workshops, seminars and (inter) national conferences.
• Provide training for different target groups and translate complex scientific insights into clear and accessible communication for practice and policy.
• 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).
• At the time of appointment, have a maximum of two years of scientific seniority.
• Have a strong scientific mindset and good analytical and organisational skills.
• Have a solid foundation in statistics and in quantitative and qualitative research methods.
• Have (basic) knowledge of or a demonstrable interest in implementation science.
• Have affinity with primary and community care and enjoy working in a practice-oriented research context.
• Have excellent written communication skills and are able to write scientific texts fluently.
• Are able to clearly present complex research findings, both orally and in writing.
• Communicate…