PhD candidate ‘Self-regulated learning’

What is needed to promote students’ self-regulation through assessment? As a PhD candidate within the chair ‘Educational Scholarship in Veterinary Medicine’ at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, you will investigate the concept of ‘self-regulated learning’ in relation to assessment in close collaboration with the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Calgary.

Your job
In this position, you will not only conduct research on learning, but you will also have the opportunity to learn a lot yourself. This includes intensive guidance, close collaboration with colleagues from the team, and the chance to participate in the PhD programme within the Life Sciences Educational Research (LSER) programme, where you can further develop your academic and personal skills and competencies. Through the collaboration between the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at Utrecht University and the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Calgary, you will have the opportunity to conduct research from an international and interdisciplinary perspective and expand your network.

In recent years, the focus within assessment has shifted more from an evaluative function to a supportive, insightful function. It is essential that students increasingly take control and responsibility for their own learning. For this to happen, assessment must provide students with relevant and meaningful information on which self-regulated learning can occur. To achieve this, more and more educational programmes are transforming their assessment programmes based on the principles of the concept of ‘Programmatic Assessment’.

As a PhD candidate, your focus lies in understanding what is necessary to promote self-regulated learning among students. What information is crucial, and how can it be best delivered? How do students process this information? How can its effectiveness be enhanced? And how does the evaluative nature of assessment impact these aspects? These are the questions you will explore throughout your journey.

During this trajectory, you will present research findings at workshops and conferences, collaborate with colleagues in the field to organise workshops and symposia related to your research, and publish your results in peer reviewed journals. Additionally, you will actively participate in teaching within the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at Utrecht University.

We are seeking a colleague who is passionate about scientific thinking. You should have a background in either the veterinary/medical domain or social sciences (MSc), with specific interest and expertise in educational sciences, particularly assessment issues. Furthermore, you bring:

• experience with qualitative and quantitative research methods;
• the ability to work systematically and project-oriented;
• strong analytical skills;
• an affinity for higher education;
• excellent oral and written communication skills in both English and Dutch;
• a proactive mindset and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a team.

We offer:

• a position for one year, which will be extended by three years upon satisfactory performance;
• a working week of 32 to 40 hours and a gross monthly salary between €2,770 and €3,539 in the case of full-time employment (salary scale P under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU);
• 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus;
• a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU.

In addition to the terms of employment laid down in the CAO NU, Utrecht University has a number of schemes and facilities of its own for employees. This includes schemes facilitating professional development, leave schemes and schemes for sports and cultural activities, as well as discounts on software and other IT products. We also offer access to additional employee benefits through our Terms of Employment Options Model. In this way, we encourage our employees to continue to invest in their growth. For more information, please visit Working at Utrecht University.

A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University, the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major strategic themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Pathways to Sustainability. Shaping science, sharing tomorrow.

The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine has a unique position in the Netherlands. Not only is this the only institution where veterinarians are trained, researchers are also working together on innovative scientific research. Furthermore the faculty delivers expert clinical care at the University Animal Hospital. Thanks to this position, the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine is a point of contact for all veterinary matters, both nationally and increasingly internationally. The faculty employs approximately 900 veterinarians, scientists and support staff and counts 1,500 students. It is is located at the Utrecht Science Park, near the historical city centre of Utrecht.

You will be appointed at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine within the chair ‘Educational Scholarship in Veterinary Medicine’. The research project is conducted in close collaboration with the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Calgary. You will be guided by Professor Harold Bok, Professor Kent Hecker (University of Calgary), Dr Theo van Haeften, and Dr Lubberta de Jong.