PhD Position Safe and Effective Handover Practices in Sociotechnical Intensive Care Unit Context

Delft University of Technology; Delft; On-site; EUR 36,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

Delft University of Technology seeks a PhD candidate to study Safe and Effective Handover Practices in Sociotechnical ICU contexts. The project examines how ICU handovers are performed, how they can be improved, and their impact on patient safety and outcomes.

The research will explore structured handover tools (SBAR, I-PASS), sociotechnical factors, and practical implementation in clinical settings, with supervision through the TU Delft Graduate School and collaboration with healthcare partners.

Qualifications

• Background in Medicine or related field (Health Sciences, Epidemiology, Biomedical Engineering)
• Affinity with Healthcare and Safety Science is preferred
• Willingness to work with healthcare stakeholders and teams
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills
• Dutch proficiency prioritized for local interactions and English proficiency clear

Responsibilities

• Study ICU handover practices in sociotechnical ICU contexts
• Investigate implementation and effectiveness of handover interventions
• Analyze impact on patient safety and care outcomes
• Collaborate with healthcare organizations and supervisors
• Disseminate findings to academic and clinical stakeholders

Skills

Dutch proficiency

English proficiency

Excellent communication

Team player

Willingness to learn

Education

PhD-level background in Medicine/Health Sciences/Engineering

Job description

PhD Position Safe and Effective Handover Practices in Sociotechnical Intensive Care Unit Context: Safe and effective handover practices in sociotechnical Intensive Care Unit context

Job description

The Intensive Care Unit (ICU) is a highly complex and dynamic environment where critically ill patients require continuous monitoring and multidisciplinary care. Safe transfer of information during handovers between healthcare professionals is essential for maintaining continuity of care, reducing errors, and ensuring patient safety. ICU handovers occur frequently, including shift changes, transfers between units, and transitions of care involving physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals.

Despite increasing attention to patient safety, substantial variation exists in how handovers are performed across hospitals and clinical teams. Structured handover tools, electronic support systems, and standardized communication frameworks (e.g., SBAR, I-PASS) have been introduced to improve information transfer. However, the implementation and effectiveness of these interventions vary considerably, and handovers remain vulnerable to communication failures, interruptions, information loss, cognitive overload and sociotechnical challenges.

This PhD project aims to examine ICU handover practices in their sociotechnical context, how they are implemented and adapted in clinical settings, their impact on patient safety and care outcomes, and the system factors that facilitate or hinder effective communication during transitions of care.

Job requirements

• A background in Medicine, Health Sciences, Epidemiology, Clinical Technology, Technical Medicine, Biomedical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Management of Technology, Human Factors, Complex Systems Engineering and Management or related field
• A demonstrated affinity with Healthcare
• Preferably experience with Safety Science
• Willingness to work closely with stakeholders from healthcare organizations
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills
• Being open-minded, independent, eager to learn and a team player
• Dutch proficiency prioritized due to expected interactions in Dutch healthcare setting
• English proficiency - verbal and written

TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)

Working at TU Delft means contributing to solutions that really make a difference.

At TU Delft, our people make the difference. With their knowledge and curiosity, our staff provide a high-quality education and conduct pioneering research that extends beyond the campus. You will have the opportunity to take the initiative, work with others, and grow as a professional. Working at TU Delft means join an international community of professionals and students. Together, we create knowledge, innovations, and solutions that help move the world forward.

Faculty Technology, Policy & Management

The Faculty of TPM provides an important contribution to solving complex technical-social issues, such as energy transition, mobility, digitalisation, water management and (cyber) security. TPM does this with its excellent education and research at the intersection of technology, society and policy. We combine insights from both engineering and social sciences as well as the humanities. TPM develops robust models and designs, is internationally oriented and has an extensive network of knowledge institutions, companies, social organisations and governments.

Conditions of employment

Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1,5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months. Followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2,5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from €3204 - €4051 gross per month, from the first year to the fourth year based on a fulltime contract (38 hours), plus 8% holiday allowance and an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%.

As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills. The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.

Will you need to relocate to the Netherlands for this job? TU Delft is committed to make your move as smooth as possible! Coming to Delft Service offers information to help you prepare your relocation. In addition, Coming to Delft Service organises events to help you settle in the Netherlands, and expand your (social) network in Delft. A Dual Career Programme is available, to support your accompanying partner with their job search in the Netherlands.

• Hours per week: 36-40
• FTE: 1,0

Knowledge security

As part of knowledge security, TU Delft conducts a risk assessment during the recruitment of personnel. The assessment is based on information provided by the candidates themselves, such as their motivation letter and CV, and takes place at the final stages of the selection process. When the outcome of the assessment is negative, the candidate will be informed.