LUCAS is recruiting a PhD candidate for research on the impact of cancer support centres

LUCAS KU Leuven, in collaboration with the Foundation against Cancer and the King Baudouin Foundation, is conducting a four-year research project on the impact of cancer support centres (“inloophuizen”) for people affected by cancer.
These support centres provide accessible psychosocial support services where people with cancer, as well as their relatives and caregivers, can access peer support, information, and a range of supportive activities that contribute to their quality of life. While visitors highly value the services offered by these centres, stronger scientific evidence is still needed regarding their long-term impact on visitors and their broader societal value.
As part of this project, a PhD trajectory will be launched to investigate the psychosocial and societal impact of cancer support centres through a longitudinal research design. Building on previous research conducted by LUCAS, the study aims to gain a deeper understanding of how attending a support centre contributes to psychosocial well-being, quality of life, coping, social connectedness, reintegration, and healthcare utilisation. In addition, the research will explore which characteristics of support centres and their modes of operation contribute to positive outcomes for visitors.
Within this project, the PhD researcher will work closely with a network of support centres across Belgium. You will be responsible for data collection, the analysis of longitudinal and qualitative data, and the scientific reporting of research findings. You will publish in international peer-reviewed journals, present your work at national and international conferences, and contribute to translating research findings into policy and practice recommendations.
This project offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the scientific evidence base for accessible psychosocial support for people with cancer and to generate direct societal impact.