Summer Sale

Up to 30% off — ends 2 Aug

ONLY00h00m00s

Publisher
source

KU Leuven

Top university

PhD Candidate: Impact of Cancer Support Centres KU Leuven in Belgium

Degree Level

PhD

Field of study

Sociology

Funding

Full funding available

Deadline

Aug 31, 2026

Country flag

Country

Belgium

University

KU Leuven

Social connections

How do I apply for this?

Sign in for free to reveal details, requirements, and source links.

Meet Kite AI

More information can be found here

Official Email

Keywords

Sociology
Psychology
Longitudinal Study
Quality Of Life
Medical Science
Salud Pública
Social Welfare
Healthcare Utilization
Statistics

Suggested scholarships

About this position

LUCAS at KU Leuven is recruiting a PhD candidate for a four-year research project on the impact of cancer support centres (“inloophuizen”) in Belgium. LUCAS is KU Leuven’s interdisciplinary centre of expertise in care and welfare, with a strong track record of connecting research, practice, and policy to improve quality of life through meaningful innovations in healthcare practice and policy.

This project, carried out in collaboration with the Foundation against Cancer and the King Baudouin Foundation, investigates the psychosocial and societal impact of accessible support centres for people affected by cancer, as well as for their relatives and caregivers. These centres offer peer support, information, and supportive activities intended to improve quality of life and wellbeing. The doctoral research will address a key evidence gap by using a longitudinal research design to study how participation in a support centre influences psychosocial wellbeing, quality of life, coping, social connectedness, reintegration, and healthcare utilisation over time.

The PhD researcher will also examine which support-centre characteristics and modes of operation are associated with positive outcomes. The project involves close collaboration with a network of support centres across Belgium, with responsibilities including data collection, analysis of longitudinal and qualitative data, scientific reporting, publication in international peer-reviewed journals, conference presentations, and translation of findings into policy and practice recommendations.

Eligibility highlights include a Master’s degree in the social sciences, medical-social sciences, or a related discipline, with completion by 1 January 2027 at the latest. Applicants should demonstrate excellent academic performance, solid quantitative research skills, and a strong interest in healthcare and social welfare. Trilingual ability in Dutch, French, and English is required due to the research context. Experience in research and academic publishing is advantageous, as is affinity with cancer or chronic illness.

The position is based at LUCAS KU Leuven in Leuven, Belgium. It is a fully funded PhD scholarship for up to four years, with monthly remuneration determined by KU Leuven’s salary scales for doctoral scholarship holders. The application deadline is 31 August 2026 at 23:59 (Europe/Brussels). Interested candidates should consult the application link and may contact Mrs. Nele Van den Cruyce by email for additional information.

Funding details

Full funding including tuition fees and living expenses is available for this position. The scholarship covers all educational costs and provides a monthly stipend.

How to apply

Please submit your application including a cover letter, CV, academic transcripts, and contact information for two references. Applications should be sent via the online portal before the deadline.

Ask ApplyKite AI

Start chatting
Can you summarize this position?
What qualifications are required for this position?
How should I prepare my application?