Amsterdam Public Health (APH) research institute has launched the 2026-2027 postdoc fellowships, awarding four two-year fellowships to talented postdoctoral researchers. This initiative supports postdocs in advancing their careers while contributing to APH’s strategic goals and research programs.

The scope of the research projects must be linked to at least one of APH’s three core values as described in the APH Strategic Plan 2024–2027:

  • Sustainable scientific excellence – research integrity and sustainability for planet and people.
  • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion – research fostering inclusiveness and reducing health disparities.
  • Engaging partnerships – collaboration across sectors, disciplines, and stakeholders.

Congratulations to the winners of the APH postdoc fellowships 2026-2027! Read more about their research projects below:

Bob van de Loo

Postdoctoral researcher at the Epidemiology & Data Science department, Amsterdam UMC

Co-creation in the context of the Dutch framework agreement on care for older people: Exploring birth cohort differences and self-organization capacity in relation to long term care

The 2025 "Hoofdlijnenakkoord Ouderenzorg" (HLO) sets the strategic direction for long-term care in the Netherlands. Its implementation has revealed several knowledge gaps, which we aim to address using data from the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (LASA). To determine the most appropriate research methods, we will employ a participatory research approach (i.e., co-creation) in which policy makers and older adults are closely, intensively, and equally involved throughout all stages of the project. Key knowledge needs we seek to address include: (1) understanding how birth cohort differences affect long-term care use; and (2) gaining insight into cohort differences in the ability to self-organize care. Addressing these gaps will help policymakers and care systems better support older adults and more effectively target assistance to those most in need.

Tinka Bakker

Postdoctoral researcher at the Public and Occupational Health department, Amsterdam UMC

Risk factors and longitudinal overview of workers’ trajectories of long-term sickness absence and work disability due to mental health conditions

An increasing number of individuals are entering work disability benefit schemes, with significant personal, social, and economic consequences. Among younger employees, this trend is largely attributed to mental health issues. To improve employees' mental health care and prevent long-term sickness absence and work disability, identifying risk factors is important. Combining data from HumanTotalCare, Dutch Employee Insurance Agency (UWV) and Statistics Netherlands (CBS) can provide a longitudinal overview of workers’ trajectories, complementing data on sickness absence with data on work disability. These analyses may provide insight into potential risk factors that could inform early interventions aimed at preventing long-term sickness absence and work disability.

Charlotte Eijkelboom

Postdoctoral researcher at the department ‘Huisartsgeneeskunde’, Amsterdam UMC

Responding to unheard voices - improving general practice through feedback from people with low health literacy

Health inequities remain a major challenge in the Netherlands. People with low health literacy (LHL) experience poorer health, which puts pressure on general practice care. Additionally and concerningly, general practice is not well tailored towards the needs of this group. Patient feedback can provide a solution, as it contributes to aligning care with patients’ needs. However, current patient-feedback methods often do not reach people with LHL, as these methods are often designed for (and by) health-literate people. To address this gap, we will use participatory action research to develop a method that enables people with LHL to provide feedback and that supports general practitioners to effectively use this feedback.

Thao Minh Lam

Postdoctoral researcher at the Epidemiology & Data Science department, Amsterdam UMC

Understanding the complexity of the obesogenic environment through a vulnerability lens: towards a more equitable and healthful living environment

With reduction in inequalities of obesity (and other NCDs) as the main goal, this proposal’s goal is two-fold. First, to better understand the obesogenic environment through the lens of vulnerability, which combines environmental exposure, socioeconomic sensitivity, and urban planning adaptive capacity. The product is compelling indices that might explain health inequalities in dimensions beyond built features. Second, I aim to improve dissemination of these indices to relevant stakeholders by (1) involving them in the development and validation of these indices and (2) co-creating accessible platforms to visualize and customize these indices. The product is an interactive, actionable, empowering tool guide urban planning and public health advocate across the Netherlands.