[applied-ethics] How safe should donor blood be? - PhD project in public health ethics

From: Marcel Verweij <M.F.Verweij@xxxxx>
To: applied-ethics@xxxxxxxxxxxxx, studethics@xxxxxxxxxx, interphen@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Date: Tue, 12 Feb 2013 09:59:58 +0100
Job advertisement PhD position.

How safe should donor blood be? - PhD project in public health ethics

Donated blood is screened for infectious agents to protect patients against 
infection. Such screening measures are effective in reducing risks to a 
minimum, but the quest for safety comes at a cost. For example, the incremental 
cost-effectiveness of specific screening tests can be more than 1,000,000 
euro/QALY, which is very high even compared to the most expensive medical 
treatments. How far should one go in preventing infection risks? This research 
project analyses this question from an ethical point of view. The project 
includes (a) clarification and review of the normative assumptions and 
arguments in current blood screening policies, (b) philosophical analysis of 
core concepts like precaution, safety, reasonable risk and responsibility, and 
(c) normative ethical analysis of obligations to maintain and promote blood 
safety. The study combines philosophical analysis with (focus group) interviews 
of stakeholders. The goal is to develop a sensible idea of obligatory and 
reasonable precautions against infection; and to define practical criteria for 
blood donor screening that are to be recommended to Sanquin.

For this PhD research project we seek a graduated (MA level) 
philosopher/bioethicist with excellent skills in normative and conceptual 
analysis in practical ethics. The successful candidate will have a good mix of 
relevant skills and qualities, including:
-       curiosity and passion for studying practical philosophical problems, 
notably in relation to public health
-       excellence in academic writing
-       good communicative skills, notably capability to discuss ethical issues 
and arguments with medical professionals and policy makers
-       eagerness to work in a multidisciplinary context.
Preferably (s)he has knowledge of ethical discussions about risk and safety, 
and some experience with interviews and/or focus group studies.

We offer 
–      a PhD position (AiO) at Sanquin, based upon a 12 months contract which, 
if successful, will be extended to cover 4 years in total.
–      Salary as defined in “CAO” of Sanquin Blood Supply Foundation.
–      PhD training and supervision according to the regulations of the 
Netherlands School for Research in Philosophy (Onderzoekschool Wijsbegeerte).
–      Supervision by professor Hans Zaaijer (Sanquin and University of 
Amsterdam, Blood-borne Infections) and dr Marcel Verweij (as of May 1st 2013: 
professor of philosophy, Wageningen University).
–      Excellent conditions for research in public health ethics: lively 
debate, enthusiastic colleagues with an international focus, and a fruitful 
work environment at the Chair Group Philosophy at Wageningen University and at 
Sanquin (Amsterdam).

Application procedure

Send your application letter, curriculum vitae and grade average to Sanquin – 
HRM  (werk@xxxxxxxxxx , see below) before April 1st, 2013.
Please refer to ‘MK 05-13’ in all correspondence.

More information
About the project itself:         h.zaaijer@xxxxxxxxxx
About the application procedure:   

Sanquin  Blood Supply Foundation
Human resources management
Plesmanlaan 125
1066CX Amsterdam
werk@xxxxxxxxxx
[applied-ethics] How safe should donor blood be? - PhD project in public health ethics

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