PhD Student in Pharmaceutical Economics and Policy

This PhD position in pharmaceutical economics and policy at KU Leuven offers a unique opportunity to investigate the sustainability and effectiveness of pharmaceutical distribution systems across Europe. The research will be supervised by Professor Jeroen Luyten and Professor Steven Simoens, both leading experts in health economics and policy. The project is embedded within the Leuven Institute for Healthcare Policy and LUHTAR, KU Leuven’s interdisciplinary research unit on Health Technology Assessment, part of the Department of Public Health and Primary Care. These centers host a vibrant community of PhD students and provide a wide range of academic activities, teaching, and training relevant to the project. The core aim of the project is to explore how European healthcare systems can redesign public service obligations (PSOs) and pharmaceutical distribution models to ensure continuous, affordable, and equitable access to medicines. Key research topics include the economic sustainability of PSOs, costs of regulatory compliance and stockpiling, and the impact of medicine shortages. The project promises strong policy relevance, close engagement with real-world stakeholders, and opportunities for high-impact publications. It is particularly suited for students interested in health economics, European health systems, and pharmaceutical policy. Applicants should hold a master’s degree with at least 'distinction', preferably in applied economics, business or commercial engineering, pharmaceutical sciences, or biomedical sciences. Essential skills include analytical thinking, a strong foundation in statistics and quantitative research, excellent written and oral communication, and a keen interest in pharmaceutical policy. The position offers an initial one-year contract as a full-time scientific staff member within LUHTAR, with the intention to extend to a four-year doctoral study subject to positive evaluation. Part-time positions are possible if necessary. Successful candidates will receive intensive supervision from specialists in health economics and clinical experts, access to training sessions and conferences, and an attractive salary. Additional benefits include a shared office, laptop, and various employee perks such as free courses, training, bicycle allowance, and train subscription. KU Leuven is committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and socially safe environment, embracing diversity and equal opportunity for all. The provisional starting date is July 1, 2026, but flexibility is possible. The application deadline is March 27, 2026. For further information, applicants are encouraged to contact Prof. dr. Jeroen Luyten at [email protected]. More details about LUHTAR and the research environment can be found at the provided links. Interested candidates should apply online via the KU Leuven jobsite.