Merel-Anne Brehm
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PhD Position: OPTI-CARE Trial in Child Rehabilitation at Amsterdam UMC Amsterdam UMC in Netherlands
Degree Level
PhD
Field of study
Health Economics
Funding
Paid PhD position with salary scale OIO €3,217 to €4,077 gross per month at full-time equivalent; current appointment is 0.87 FTE. Contract starts for 12 months with intent to extend to a total of 4 years and 7 months.
Deadline
Nov 9, 2026
Country
Netherlands
University
Amsterdam UMC
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About this position
The OPTI-CARE trial PhD position at Amsterdam UMC focuses on improving the care of children with cerebral palsy who use ankle-foot orthoses (EVO’s) to support gait, mobility, and prevention of secondary complications during growth. The project addresses wide variation in current orthotic care in the Netherlands and aims to develop and evaluate a more standardized, optimized treatment pathway.
As a PhD candidate, you will help coordinate and carry out a multicenter study in close collaboration with five other centers in the Netherlands. Your work will include recruiting participants, performing measurements, conducting physical examinations, and collecting questionnaire and interview data. You will also analyze the study results, write scientific papers, and present findings at national and international conferences.
The project sits within the Kinderrevalidatie team of the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at Amsterdam UMC, a leading center for orthotic care in children with cerebral palsy. The group works closely with clinicians and researchers across multiple disciplines, combining patient care, scientific research, and education. The project offers a strong translational environment with opportunities for collaboration across clinical centers, knowledge institutions, and companies.
You will work with senior researcher Merel-Anne Brehm, rehabilitation physicians Annemieke Buizer and Marc Nederhand, and research assistant Yvette Keij, with weekly in-person project meetings. The department also hosts around 15 other PhD candidates, creating a supportive peer community within Amsterdam UMC Research BV.
Funding details
Paid PhD position with salary scale OIO €3,217 to €4,077 gross per month at full-time equivalent; current appointment is 0.87 FTE. Contract starts for 12 months with intent to extend to a total of 4 years and 7 months.
What's required
Applicants should have a master’s degree in movement sciences, health sciences, physiotherapy sciences, or a comparable field. The advert seeks an enthusiastic, motivated candidate with scientific ambition, strong organizational skills, good communication skills, and a proactive approach. Affinity with rehabilitation, children, and walking aids/orthoses is required, along with experience conducting research measurements and using SPSS or a similar analysis program. Excellent Dutch and English language skills are required, and the candidate must be able to work both independently and in a team.
How to apply
Apply via the AcademicTransfer application link. Prepare for a first-round interview in mid-November 2026 and monitor any further communication from Amsterdam UMC. For questions about the vacancy, contact Merel Brehm by email.
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Professors
Professor Dr. at Amsterdam UMC
Netherlands
Research Interests
Statistics
Health Economics
Patient-reported Outcome
Pediatric Rehabilitation
Gait Analysis
Make your next move.
Prepare your application
Review drafts and confirm requirements with the university.