The aim of this Postdoc project is to examine the underlying mechanisms of working life trajectories of young adults by using detailed, longitudinal information on individual, family, social, and behavioural factors in childhood, adolescence and young adulthood. The Postdoc project is part of the research project “Today’s youth is tomorrow’s workforce”, funded by the NWO VICI program. The research project consists of two Postdoc and three PhD projects, with the overall aim to improve our understanding of young adults’ working life trajectories from a life course perspective. Life course principles have been applied to understand (developmental) health trajectories and socioeconomic inequalities in health, but never so regarding the entrance to the labour market and the subsequent working life trajectories.

The project will be conducted in TRAILS (www.trails.nl), a longitudinal cohort study that provides unique data for this project. In addition to investigating existing longitudinal data from childhood to young adulthood, the postdoc will be involved in the design of a new measurement wave extending the working life trajectories.

The successful candidate is a starting scholar with a PhD in the Social, Medical or Health Sciences and has a key interest in studying work and mental health from a life course perspective.
Eligible candidates should have the following qualifications:
- a PhD in the Social, Medical or Health Sciences
- a relevant publication record demonstrating the ability to publish international academic publications, preferably in top-tier peer-reviewed journals
- relevant experience in and affinity with the research theme
- excellent statistical skills for the analysis of complex longitudinal data
- a clear interest in collaborative, interdisciplinary research
- strong organizational skills
- excellent English writing and presentation skills
- good mastery of the Dutch language, or the willingness to gain this mastery within one year
- team player with good communication skills
- strong motivation and a great curiosity an enthusiasm for scientific research

The UMCG has a preventive Hepatitis B policy. You may be required to build up sufficient protection against Hepatitis B before you can be appointed. Vaccination is provided by the UMCG if necessary.

We offer a Postdoc position for a period of fours years. The appointment will be at the Department of Health Sciences, Community and Occupational Medicine of the University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG).
The UMCG offers a salary that will be between € 3.582,- up to a maximum of € 4.917,- (scale 11) gross per month for a full time position (36 hours), based on the experience of the candidate. In addition, the UMCG will offer an annual 8% holiday pay, an 8.3% end-of-the-year bonus and a development budget. The terms of employment comply with the Collective Labor Agreement for medical centers (UMC-CAO).

The job interviews are on 19 and 20 december. Possibly via skype.

Health Sciences, section Community and Occupational Medicine

This vacancy for a postdoc with strong interest in longitudinal, interdisciplinary research is available at the Department of Health Sciences, section Community and Occupational Medicine of the University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG). The section contributes to healthy ageing over the life course, by conducting high-quality quantitative and qualitative research, often in close collaboration with policy makers and practitioners in public and occupational health. Community and Occupational Medicine participates in the Research Master Clinical and Psychosocial Epidemiology.