Postdoctoral Fellow

**Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences**:

- **Department: GE39 - Volksgezondheid en Eerstelijnszorg**:

- **Occupancy rate:100%**:

- **Number of positions: 1**:

- **Type of employment: Contract of limited duration**:

- **Term of assignment: 1 jaar**:

- **Wage scale: PD1 to PD4 (doctoral degree)**:

- **Required diploma:PhD**

**ABOUT GHENT UNIVERSITY**

Ghent University is a world of its own. Employing more than 15,000 people, it is actively involved in education and research, management and administration, as well as technical and social service provision on a daily basis. It is one of the largest, most exciting employers in the area and offers great career opportunities. With its 11 faculties and more than 80 departments offering state-of-the-art study programmes grounded in research in a wide range of academic fields, Ghent University is a logical choice for its staff and students.

**About ICRH**

The International Centre for Reproductive Health (ICRH) is an international leading centre in the field of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR). Founded in the wake of the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development in Cairo, and based within the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at Ghent University, ICRH has spent over 30 years addressing some of the most pressing global SRHR challenges. Through innovative research, education, and community engagement, we focus on key areas including gender and violence, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), reproductive, neonatal, maternal, and child health (RNMCH), and sexual wellbeing, especially among vulnerable and hard-to-reach populations. As a WHO Collaborating Centre, ICRH is committed to translating evidence into action and creating lasting, meaningful impact at global level.

**YOUR TASKS**

As part of the expansion of mid-level management at ICRH, this position plays a key role in advancing international research, education, and societal outreach in alignment with the identified priority thematic areas of SRHR. The role closely supports the implementation and operationalization of the ICRH strategy, ensuring that activities are effectively aligned with strategic objectives. You will be primarily responsible for:

- Initiating and coordinating the development of competitive international research proposals in line with SRHR priorities of ICRH.
- Provide methodological guidance for both qualitative and quantitative research in hard to reach populations, in at risk situations and in the global South.
- Assess and contribute to SRHR-related projects and consultancies.
- Coordinate the annual planning and implementation in line with ICRH strategy.
- Oversee operational procedures and monitoring systems; provide guidance on necessary improvements and establish new procedures where needed.
- Co-organize staff and management meetings, ensuring follow-up on action points.
- Support the centre directors in people management and relevant follow-ups.
- Facilitate communication with visiting professors and international PhD students.
- Foster collaborations with international partners and UN bodies.
- Coach junior researchers in proposal development, publication drafting and career prospects.
- Mentor interns and volunteers, focusing on their specific SRHR areas.
- Supervise master’s students, enhancing their research direction and progress.

**WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR**

**Research, Education, and Societal Outreach**
- PhD in Health Sciences (or equivalent doctoral degree) with a focus on a SRHR related topic.
- Over 8 years of experience in both qualitative and quantitative methods; proficient in mixed-methods research and relevant data analysis software.
- Research experience with focus on health, gender issues, and gender-based violence from a rights-based perspective.
- Demonstrated ability to work with vulnerable and hard-to-reach populations, and facilitation of patients involvement in participatory research in the Global South.
- Experience working on sensitive research topics in lower and middle-income countries, and in settings with conflict and emergencies.
- Collaboration on research projects with non-academic partners.
- A track of peer-reviewed publications as (co-)author
- Proven active participation/presentations in public health related fora and conferences.
- Demonstrated experience in research valorization.
- Supervision of master’s students and mentoring of interns.
- Led research projects in partnership with organizations in the Global South.

**Management & Leadership**
- Over 10 years of demonstrated experience in program and project management within international and multidisciplinary teams.
- Prior experience working with UN bodies on health-related matters with vulnerable populations, involving multiple stakeholders.
- Proven track record in developing, coordinating, and managing projects in the health sector, including in low
- and middle-income countries, conflict-affected areas, and emergency contexts.
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