PhD researcher on sustainable kidney care Utrecht • UMC Utrecht

The healthcare sector is responsible for 7% of the total Dutch ecological footprint. According to the Green Deal 3.0 , this footprint must be reduced significantly within the next six years. Kidney care, in particular dialysis, has a disproportionately high ecologic footprint within healthcare through greenhouse emissions, natural resources depletion and waste generation. Dialysis is 18 times more resource intensive than the general healthcare emissions burden of a typical patient. A typical haemodialysis session uses ~400L of tap water and ~20 kWh per patient  and produces several kgs of waste. Thus, there is an urgent need to drastically lower the footprint of dialysis. KitNewCare is a Horizon Europe–funded project (2024–2027) focused on making kidney care more environmentally sustainable by reducing its carbon footprint through innovations in prevention, treatment, and infrastructure. It combines life-cycle assessment tools, clinical pilot sites, and training programs to cut emissions, save costs, and scale green practices across Europe. 

Within a multidisciplinary consortium of academic institutions, industry partners, and key stakeholders in kidney care and sustainability, you will apply a systemic and transdisciplinary approach and collaborate throughout the whole hospital ecosystem (from suppliers to hospitals, healthcare professional, patients, and waste management). You will map sustainability hotspots by applying Life Cycle Assessment methodology and work on the (co-)development of sustainable technological innovations for dialysis and the implementation of innovative green solutions into the new dialysis unit at UMC Utrecht. KITNEWCARE - Sustainable Care, Lasting Impact

Also see KITNEWCARE - Sustainable Care, Lasting Impact

This PhD project is based at the UMC Utrecht, with direct supervision from the departments of Nephrology (dr K Gerritsen, dr. R Vernooij and dr. Ir. Vollenbroek). In the UMC Utrecht, an advanced Dialysis Innovation Lab have been established, in which new ideas can be developed and tested, see Artificial Kidney Innovation Lab.

You will be member of the KitNewCare community, a highly motivated group of researchers and students, committed to a more sustainable healthcare. You will participate in regular meetings with the other PhD students and with the academic and industrial partners of the KitNewCare consortium.

• You have an MSc degree in (Technical) Medicine, Clinical Technology, Biomedical Science/ Engineering, Sustainable Development, Environmental Science/ Technology or a related study.
• You have skills and experience with studying medical pathways and technologies.
• You have affinity with sustainability and social impact.
• Knowledge and experience with sustainability assessments (e.g., life cycle assessment).
• You are able to think in and work with multidisciplinary research approaches.
• You have affinity with working as a team player, proactive in your work, involved actively in your working environment and capable of independently addressing and solving research problems.
• You are willing to supervise students.
• For this position your command of the English language is expected to be at C1 level. Sometimes it is necessary to submit an internationally recognized Certificate of Proficiency in the English Language.

• A salary between € 3108 and € 3939 gross per month (salary scale OIO), based on full-time employment (36 hours). 
• Year-end bonus of 8.3% and holiday allowance of 8%. 
• Pension insurance with ABP. We take care of approximately 70% of the monthly contribution. 
• 100% public transport reimbursement. Are you coming on foot, by bike or by car? You will then receive a reimbursement of € 0.18 per km (by car up to a max. of 40 km one way). 
• Possibilities to develop yourself personally and professionally. 
• The option to select additional employment benefits in exchange for gross salary, such as purchasing a bicycle and memberships.