Junior researcher: implementation of a positive psychology group course for people with bipolar disorder in mental healthcare

Job description

There is a growing need among people with bipolar disorder, their relatives, and professionals for a more integrated approach to mental health recovery. This means a greater focus on promoting well-being and personal recovery in addition to reducing symptoms. In collaboration with several mental healthcare institutes (Dimence, GGZ inGeest, Mediant, GGNet, GGZ Drenthe), the Dutch knowledge center for bipolar disorders (KenBiS), and the patient association for people with bipolar disorder and their relatives (Plusminus), our research group has developed and evaluated the positive psychology course "Living well with bipolar disorder”. The course is offered as an 8-week group course within mental health institutes and consists of eight sessions including different topics, such as self-compassion, positive relationships and meaning. Our previous research has shown that the course is effective in sustainably promoting well-being and personal recovery https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/bdi.13313. We were also able to show that broad implementation of the course would result in cost savings. Although the program is (cost)effective and fits well with the needs of patients and professionals, it has not yet been widely and sustainably implemented in mental healthcare.

The current project is about the nationwide and sustainable implementation of the program "Living well with bipolar disorder" in mental healthcare. The project will last two years and includes three phases. In the first phase you will explore implementation factors and develop implementation materials and strategies together with patients (ervaringsdeskundige) and professionals. In the second phase, you will work on the large-scale implementation of the course. This will be based on the materials and strategies developed in the previous phase. The goal is to sustainably implement the program in at least half of all mental healthcare institutes in the Netherlands that provide care for people with bipolar disorders. You will evaluate the implementation using quantitative and qualitative methods. In the third phase you will prepare a process report. This will incorporate experiences from the implementation process and recommendations to ensure continuous and effective implementation after the project. You will also publish results from the implementation process in international scientific journals.

With this project you will make a direct contribution to improving mental healthcare. Implementation of evidence-based interventions is a very complex and challenging process that requires a lot of creativity, resilience and patience. If successful, this project will have a great clinical and societal impact because the broad and sustainable implementation will result in many patients benefiting from an effective intervention. You will work in an interdisciplinary project involving several partners, including many different mental healthcare institutes, KenBiS and Plusminus. During the project you will also actively collaborate with both professionals and patients. The project therefore also offers an optimal opportunity to build up a broad network in mental healthcare and to develop yourself further in skills around communication and project management.

Your profile

• MSc-degree in psychology or a related discipline (candidates close to graduating are also encouraged to apply)
• interest in mental healthcare, with a specific focus on positive psychology
• enthusiasm for research in clinical practice and implementation
• command of the Dutch language (at least C1)
• strong communication and social skills related to working in interdisciplinary environments and with patients and therapists
• skills in tools for quantitative data analysis, such as Atlas.ti or SPSS
• experience with or affinity with qualitative research
• demonstrably good writing skills
• a proactive, assertive, creative, practical, and resilient attitude towards research

Our offer

• as a junior researcher at the UT, you will be appointed for 38 hours for 2 years (1.0 fte)
• you will be working on an innovative research topic and in collaboration with an interdisciplinary team of researchers, clinicians, and patients
• your salary and associated conditions are in accordance with the collective labour agreement for Dutch universities (CAO-NU)
• you will receive a gross monthly salary ranging from €3.226,- (first year) to € 3.377,- (second year)
• there are excellent benefits including a holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary, an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%, and a solid pension scheme
• a family-friendly institution that offers parental leave (both paid and unpaid)
• we encourage a high degree of responsibility and independence, while collaborating with close colleagues, researchers and other staff

Information and application

Are you interested in this position? Please send your application via the ‘Apply now’ button below before 09-09-2024 and include:

• a motivation letter
• a detailed cv
• names of 2 people that we can contact for additional information

For more information regarding this position, you are welcome to contact Dr. Jannis Kraiss (j.t.kraiss@utwente.nl).

About the department

More information about the department of Psychology, Health & Technology (PHT) is available from the website: https://www.utwente.nl/en/bms/pht

About the organisation

The Faculty of Behavioral, Management and Social sciences (BMS) aims to play a key role in understanding, jointly developing and evaluating innovations in society. Technological developments are the engine of innovation. As a technical university that puts people first, we tailor them to human needs and behavior and use social engineering to integrate them into society. We also ensure adequate governance at public and private level, and robust, inclusive and fair organizational structures. We do this by developing, sharing and applying high-quality knowledge in Psychology, Business Administration, Public Administration, Communication Sciences, Philosophy, Educational Sciences and Health Sciences. Our research and education in these disciplines revolves around tackling and solving societal challenges. The research programs of BMS are closely linked to the research of the UT institutes Mesa+ Institute for Nanotechnology, TechMed Center and Digital Society Institute.

As an employer, the Faculty of BMS offers work that matters. We equip you to create new possibilities for yourself and for our society. With us, you will become part of a leading technical university with increasing, positive social impact. We offer an open, inclusive and entrepreneurial atmosphere, in which we encourage you to make healthy choices, for example through our flexible, adaptable benefits.