Scientist Child Health

Want to make your mark on our time? Come work as a Scientist Child Health at TNO in Leiden!

About this position

A healthy start in life lays the foundation for lifelong health and well-being. Within TNO's Child Health expertise group, we develop innovative solutions that contribute to the physical, mental, and social health of children and adolescents. Our work focuses on preventing health problems, reducing health inequalities, and creating the conditions for children to grow up healthy, safe, and with equal opportunities.

As a Researcher Child Health, you will contribute to applied research at the intersection of behavioural science, prevention, digital innovation and implementation. You will work on projects that support municipalities, youth healthcare organisations, schools, parents and young people in improving health and well-being. This includes initiatives in personalised prevention and care, where data, technology and behavioural insights are used to tailor preventive support to individual needs. You may also contribute to innovations within Youth Health Care (YHC), including digital tools, data-driven approaches and new methods for early identification and promotion of health.

Within Child Health, health scientists, psychologists, pedagogical experts, epidemiologists, physicians, data scientists and statisticians work closely together on societal challenges. What connects us is our ambition to translate scientific knowledge into practical solutions that make a real impact.

What will be your role?

As a Researcher Child Health, you will collaborate with colleagues and external partners, including youth healthcare organisations, municipalities, universities, research institutes and companies on research and innovation projects that contribute to a healthier future for children and young people.

You will be involved in the development, validation, implementation and evaluation of social and technological innovations. Your work will focus on topics such as mental health, healthy lifestyles, parenting, resilience, health equity and prevention. You will also contribute to projects that explore how digital technologies, data and AI can enhance preventive healthcare and support healthier development.

You will work on multiple projects simultaneously within multidisciplinary teams and will have ample opportunities to further develop your research skills and expertise.

Your responsibilities include:

• Collecting data through interviews, focus groups, surveys and other research methods.
• Analysing qualitative and quantitative research data.
• Developing and substantiating behavioural interventions based on scientific theories and evidence-based methodologies.
• Contributing to innovative prevention and health projects, including initiatives within Youth Health Care and personalised prevention.
• Supporting the implementation, adoption, usability and accessibility of interventions and digital health solutions.
• Translating research findings into practical recommendations for professionals, policymakers and other stakeholders.
• Organising co-creation sessions, workshops and stakeholder meetings with healthcare professionals, parents, young people and partner organisations.
• Presenting and reporting research findings to clients and stakeholders.
• Contributing to research proposals and business development activities.

The team

You will become part of a multidisciplinary team of researchers and specialists with backgrounds in health sciences, psychology, pedagogy, epidemiology, medicine and data science. Within Child Health, we collaborate intensively with colleagues across TNO and with external partners in healthcare, education and the public sector.

The team combines scientific excellence with a strong focus on creating societal impact. We value collaboration, initiative and continuous learning, and we offer an environment where you can grow professionally while contributing to meaningful innovations for children and families.

What we expect from you

You are curious, analytical and socially engaged. You enjoy translating scientific knowledge into practical applications and feel comfortable working with professionals from different disciplines and sectors.

In addition, you bring:

• A completed Master's degree in Health Sciences, Psychology, Health Psychology, Behavioural Sciences or a related field.
• Knowledge of behaviour change theories and determinants of health-related behaviour.
• Affinity with intervention development, implementation research and preventive healthcare.
• Interest in digital innovation, eHealth, data-driven approaches and AI applications in health and prevention.
• Experience with or knowledge of qualitative and/or quantitative research methods.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to bridge the gap between research and practice.
• Excellent command of both Dutch and English, written and spoken.

Experience within youth healthcare, public health or the broader youth domain is considered a strong advantage.

You have a passion for applied scientific research and the ambition to further develop yourself within an organisation that focuses on creating measurable societal impact.

What you'll get in return

Challenging and varied work with a real impact. And plenty of opportunities as, at TNO, you are in charge of shaping your career. We offer a gross monthly salary between € 3,500 and € 4,150 (based on your knowledge and experience), 8% holiday pay, a 13th month bonus of 8.33% and a flex budget (5.58% + € 180). In addition, you will be given every opportunity to develop yourself.

TNO offers optional employee benefits, enabling you to tailor your benefits package to match your personal situation. You may also expect:

• An extremely professional, innovative working environment where colleagues are leading experts in their field.
• The opportunity to attend courses, workshops and conferences, and to receive training and coaching based on your needs.
• 33 days annual leave plus a flexible holiday that can be used on a cultural, religious, or otherwise important day of your choosing (on a full-time basis).
• We offer a comprehensive and flexible mobility plan that also includes full compensation for public transportation for commuting and business travel.
• Great social events with your team and other TNO colleagues. That’s how you will get to know a lot of people really quickly.
• Flexible working hours, the possibility to work parttime (32 or 36 hours) and the possibility of working from home.
• A good pension scheme.

TNO as an employer

Our people are at the heart of TNO. Their curiosity, expertise and entrepreneurial mindset make it possible to deliver high-impact research and innovations that contribute to society’s sustainable wellbeing and prosperity.

Your talent and ambition have every opportunity to flourish at TNO. You work with experts (both within and beyond TNO), have access to advanced technology and the freedom to explore, experiment and innovate. Our strength lies in independence, reliability and collaboration. We find each other in wonder and ingenuity. We are driven to push boundaries. By working with businesses and government, and by connecting different perspectives, we strengthen our innovative capability and create responsible, meaningful results.