7. Pubertal changes and gender experience in individuals with variations in sex characteristics (VSC)

Host

Amsterdam UMC

Duration

48 months

The research

This research will aim:

1. To determine factors that are important in gender experience in VSC populations during puberty
2. To determine if satisfaction with care and quality of life is related to these factors
3. To improve counseling and tailor care based on the knowledge of these factors and their interrelations

In this project subjective measures will be combined with objective measures to study bodily changes during puberty (such as breast development, hair growth, voice change) in a clinical cohort of individuals with VSC to determine factors that are important in gender experience and determine how satisfaction with care and quality of life is related to these factors. Health care professionals and individuals with VSC will take part in co-creation sessions. Two secondments at DSD families and SDM registries, both in the UK, will provide hands-on experience with the translation of knowledge into a patient tool, and with international registry-based research and training.

Your experience

Candidates should have:

• A Master’s degree in psychology or a neighbouring field related to the research project
• Good communication skills with adolescents
• Scientific curiosity
• Fluent spoken and written English skills

 In addition, the following experience would be helpful, but not essential: 

• Experience with clinical work in paediatrics and research
• Knowledge of Dutchor the willingness to learn the basics of the language

The position

Amsterdam UMC is an expert centre for care for individuals with variations of sex characteristics. You will be working in an interdisciplinary research group that focuses on care evaluation and innovation through a health intelligence approach. Actively engaged in international cohort studies and quality of care evaluations, the group collaborates with the international Sex Development and Maturation (SDM) registries and with centres within the European Reference Network for Rare Endocrine Conditions (Endo-ERN). Within this project we will collaborate with experts at Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen.