Ten clinical scientists have been appointed at the UMC Utrecht by 2024. These are in-house healthcare providers with an interest and proven expertise in conducting scientific research. Divisions and spearheads nominated candidates for this new role. They have been enabled to devote a guaranteed 40 per cent of their time to research for five years.
The added value of a university medical centre is combining care, research and teaching, especially by individuals. But people who combine two or more tasks have to unite very different worlds. With the creation of the role of clinical scientist, these bridge-builders are given time to realise impact in those different worlds.
“I am very happy with this great new batch of clinical scientists. These researchers are pre-eminently doing the translational research you expect in a UMC. Divisions and strategic themes thus show how important they consider this to be”. Dean Professor. Arno Hoes
The typical candidates for this role are doctoral medical professionals (e.g. a doctor, a nursing scientist, a psychologist) with a permanent, full-time (0.8-1.0 fte) appointment at UMC Utrecht. The candidate has an excellent scientific reputation, demonstrable interest and proven expertise in developing and conducting translational research. Furthermore, the candidates are capable of creating social impact and bridging the gap between research and the clinic.
The fourth batch of clinical scientists within UMC Utrecht consists of ten colleagues (four women and six men), from six divisions and four strategic themes (see table). The intention is to appoint more clinical scientists in the coming years
| Candidate | Function | Strategic Theme |
|---|---|---|
| Hans Breur | Paediatric interventional cardiologist | Child Health |
| Neeltje Crombach | University lecturer in clinical obstetrics | Child Health |
| Niek van der Aa | Neonatologist | Child Health |
| Mattijs Alsem | Paediatric rehabilitation doctor | Brain |
| Joris de Graaf | Rehabilitation doctor | Brain |
| Mervyn Vergouwen | Vascular neurologist | Brain |
| Renske Wadman | Neurologist | Brain |
| Wies Maarse | Plastic surgeon | Cancer |
| Annette Ossewaarde-Van Norel | Ophthalmologist | I&I |
| Harm Jan de Grooth | Intensivist | I&I |
