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Junior or Postdoc Researcher: Label2Scale - Supporting Safe and Equitable Access to Health Apps

  • Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences
  • 15524
  • Master's
  • €3,706 - €6,682
  • 19 hours
  • Closes on
    15-10-2026
Apply

Junior or Postdoc Researcher: Label2Scale - Supporting Safe and Equitable Access to Health Apps

  • Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences
  • 15524
  • Master's
  • €3,706 - €6,682
  • 19 hours
  • Closes on
    15-10-2026
Apply

Working at the UvA

Join us!

Health apps and other person-centred digital health technologies are increasingly central to sustainable health systems, improved care, and public health. Yet their benefits are not equally accessible: people who use health apps tend to be younger, more highly educated, more affluent, and more digitally literate. How can we verify the efficacy, quality, and safety of health apps—and ensure that users can make informed choices regardless of their background or level of digital health literacy?

The Horizon Europe project Label2Enable (2022–2024), involving several ASCoR colleagues, developed a standardized quality assessment framework and user-friendly quality label for health apps. The label provides accessible information on key dimensions of app quality, including the veracity of health benefit claims, safety, ease of use, data security, and software quality. Label2Scale builds on this work, with the aim of supporting the equitable uptake and effective use of the label across diverse user groups.

Working at the UvA

Join us!

Health apps and other person-centred digital health technologies are increasingly central to sustainable health systems, improved care, and public health. Yet their benefits are not equally accessible: people who use health apps tend to be younger, more highly educated, more affluent, and more digitally literate. How can we verify the efficacy, quality, and safety of health apps—and ensure that users can make informed choices regardless of their background or level of digital health literacy?

The Horizon Europe project Label2Enable (2022–2024), involving several ASCoR colleagues, developed a standardized quality assessment framework and user-friendly quality label for health apps. The label provides accessible information on key dimensions of app quality, including the veracity of health benefit claims, safety, ease of use, data security, and software quality. Label2Scale builds on this work, with the aim of supporting the equitable uptake and effective use of the label across diverse user groups.

All about this vacancy

Your tasks

You will contribute to the broader research programme by designing and conducting an eye-tracking experiment investigating how the design, placement, size, timing, and visual presentation of quality labels in an app-store environment shape users’ attention and understanding, with a particular focus on people with low levels of (digital) health literacy. You will also liaise with stakeholders across the international consortium and disseminate findings transparently to both academic and practitioner audiences, in line with the open science principles of the Label2Scale project.

Tasks:

  • Design the research study outlined above based on a thorough literature review and in consultation with the project supervisers and relevant stakeholders within the Label2Scale consortium
  • Conduct the research adopting experimental methods including survey and eye-tracking methodologies
  • Prepare findings, materials and data for publications in academic journals, and for internal reports to diverse stakeholders within the Label2Scale project following agreed upon open science principles;
  • present your work at (inter)national conferences;

What you have to offer

The ideal candidate has strong quantitative and experimental research skills and an interest in digital health, (digital) health literacy, and equity. Experience with eye-tracking, user-centred design, and/or health-app evaluation is an advantage. The candidate should be able to work independently while collaborating effectively in an international, interdisciplinary consortium, and should have excellent English communication skills and a strong commitment to open science. Candidates who hold either a (research) master’s or PhD degree may apply.

What we offer you

The position concerns temporary assignment of 19 hours per week for a maximum term of one year starting January 1st 2027 as part of or in addition to your current employment contract. The assignment may be combined with another postdoctoral project or with teaching duties (current position as Researcher or Teacher). In consultation with the project team, it may also be possible to complete the project in a shorter timeframe by working more hours per week.

All about this vacancy

Your tasks

You will contribute to the broader research programme by designing and conducting an eye-tracking experiment investigating how the design, placement, size, timing, and visual presentation of quality labels in an app-store environment shape users’ attention and understanding, with a particular focus on people with low levels of (digital) health literacy. You will also liaise with stakeholders across the international consortium and disseminate findings transparently to both academic and practitioner audiences, in line with the open science principles of the Label2Scale project.

Tasks:

  • Design the research study outlined above based on a thorough literature review and in consultation with the project supervisers and relevant stakeholders within the Label2Scale consortium
  • Conduct the research adopting experimental methods including survey and eye-tracking methodologies
  • Prepare findings, materials and data for publications in academic journals, and for internal reports to diverse stakeholders within the Label2Scale project following agreed upon open science principles;
  • present your work at (inter)national conferences;

What you have to offer

The ideal candidate has strong quantitative and experimental research skills and an interest in digital health, (digital) health literacy, and equity. Experience with eye-tracking, user-centred design, and/or health-app evaluation is an advantage. The candidate should be able to work independently while collaborating effectively in an international, interdisciplinary consortium, and should have excellent English communication skills and a strong commitment to open science. Candidates who hold either a (research) master’s or PhD degree may apply.

What we offer you

The position concerns temporary assignment of 19 hours per week for a maximum term of one year starting January 1st 2027 as part of or in addition to your current employment contract. The assignment may be combined with another postdoctoral project or with teaching duties (current position as Researcher or Teacher). In consultation with the project team, it may also be possible to complete the project in a shorter timeframe by working more hours per week.

Your place at the UvA

You will work in this team

The project will be supervised by Dr. Christin Scholz and Dr. Annemiek Linn. You will be part of the program group Persuasive Communication the Amsterdam Center for Health Communication/ACHC, and the greater Label2Scale consortium.

About the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences

The Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences (FMG) is the largest educational and research institution in the field of social and behavioural sciences in Europe. Here, we explore societal and human-centered issues, driven by scientific curiosity but also with an eye for current themes. For example, the impact of media and communication on individuals and society, healthcare challenges, global urbanization, human development, the role of political institutions, understanding the human mind, growing inequality, diversity issues, and changing social relationships.
In Europe and beyond, the FMG holds a leading position, thanks in part to its more than 1,300 staff members who contribute to education and research. Will you be one of them?
Read more about the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences

Your place at the UvA

This is where you will be working

You will work in this team

The project will be supervised by Dr. Christin Scholz and Dr. Annemiek Linn. You will be part of the program group Persuasive Communication the Amsterdam Center for Health Communication/ACHC, and the greater Label2Scale consortium.

About the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences

The Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences (FMG) is the largest educational and research institution in the field of social and behavioural sciences in Europe. Here, we explore societal and human-centered issues, driven by scientific curiosity but also with an eye for current themes. For example, the impact of media and communication on individuals and society, healthcare challenges, global urbanization, human development, the role of political institutions, understanding the human mind, growing inequality, diversity issues, and changing social relationships.
In Europe and beyond, the FMG holds a leading position, thanks in part to its more than 1,300 staff members who contribute to education and research. Will you be one of them?
Read more about the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences

Important to know

Your application & contact

Do you recognize yourself in the job profile? Then we look forward to receiving your application (including motivation letter and CV) by October 15 2026. Questions about the project content can be addressed to dr. Christin Scholz ([email protected]), or dr. Annemiek Linn ([email protected]).

Acquisition in response to this vacancy is not appreciated.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

As an employer, the UvA maintains an equal opportunities policy. We value diversity and are fully committed to being a place where everyone feels at home. We nurture inquisitive minds and perseverance and allow room for persistent questioning. With us, curiosity and creativity are the prevailing culture.
Read more
Studies show that women and members of underrepresented groups only apply for jobs if they meet 100% of the qualifications. Do you meet the educational requirements but not yet all of the requested experience? The UvA encourages you to apply anyway.

Important to know

Your application & contact

Do you recognize yourself in the job profile? Then we look forward to receiving your application (including motivation letter and CV) by October 15 2026. Questions about the project content can be addressed to dr. Christin Scholz ([email protected]), or dr. Annemiek Linn ([email protected]).

Acquisition in response to this vacancy is not appreciated.
As an employer, the UvA maintains an equal opportunities policy. We value diversity and are fully committed to being a place where everyone feels at home. We nurture inquisitive minds and perseverance and allow room for persistent questioning. With us, curiosity and creativity are the prevailing culture.
Studies show that women and members of underrepresented groups only apply for jobs if they meet 100% of the qualifications. Do you meet the educational requirements but not yet all of the requested experience? The UvA encourages you to apply anyway.

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