PhD in MSCA Network: Studying Puberty in Individuals Sex Variations

Overview

Join the Marie Curie Doctoral Network Gender-InSIGHT. A PhD opportunity at Amsterdam UMC. Investigate puberty in adolescents with variations in sex characteristics. Contribute to interdisciplinary research in a dynamic environment. Gender-InSIGHT is an international network for investigating the biopsychosocial influences on gender during hormonal transitions, such as puberty and menopause. The network brings together disciplines including psychology, history, ethics, endocrinology, neuroscience, and public health.

Through co-creation and mixed methods research, the project aims to expand understanding of biopsychosocial factors during hormonal transitions in the general population and in individuals with variations in sex characteristics, as well as in trans and gender-diverse individuals.

The historical, clinical, and societal lenses will guide the research:

• The historical lens explores the ethical and historical implications of changing perceptions of gender and hormones over time.
• The clinical lens provides guidelines for healthcare providers on addressing gender-related biopsychosocial factors in clinical settings.
• The societal lens investigates societal pressures and media communication surrounding gender and its biopsychosocial nature across cultures.

This project falls within the clinical lens.

Note:

If you would like to know more about the different phases within the PhD trajectory, additional information can be found on the Gender-InSIGHT page.

In this project, you will contribute to understanding the factors that influence gender experience in individuals with variations in sex characteristics (VSC) during puberty. You will combine subjective and objective measures to study bodily changes such as breast development, hair growth, and voice changes, determining which factors are significant for gender experience. This research will provide essential insights into improving care and counseling.

• Collect data on pubertal changes and gender experience in adolescents with VSC.
• Analyse data to identify factors related to care satisfaction and quality of life.
• Organize co-creation sessions with healthcare professionals and patients to develop personalized care models.
• Collaborate with international expert teams, including Rigshospitalet in Copenhagen.
• Participate in two secondments in the UK with DSD families to translate knowledge into patient tools and with SDM registries.

• A Master’s degree in medicine.
• Strong communication skills with adolescents.
• Scientific curiosity and keen interest in studies on VSC.
• Fluent in spoken and written English.

Experience with clinical work in pediatrics or research is a plus, as is knowledge of Dutch or willingness to learn the basics of the language.

Note: Important eligibility criteria according to Marie Skłodowska-Curie programs:

If you have not already done so, please visit the Gender-InSIGHT webpage to complete the eligibility screening questions for this application.

• A contract for 12 months, with the intention to extend to a total of 4 years. The Guideline PhD contract applies to this vacancy.
• Salary scale OIO: €3,108 to €3,939 gross per month based on full-time employment (depending on education and experience) with a year-end bonus of 8.3%.
• Vacation hours: 190.4 per year based on full-time employment; possibility to save additional hours.
• Free and unlimited access to the online learning environment Good Habitz.
• Pension accrual with ABP, with 70% of the premium paid by the employer.
• Reimbursement of public transport expenses; bicycle scheme available.
• Active staff association and…