Depression, substance use, and minor delinquency steeply increase during adolescence. Parents are in a unique position to counter these adaptation problems, but each family is different. Tailoring advice to the family-specific needs and strengths may help parents in their important task of promoting adolescent behavioral and emotional well-being. Unfortunately, theoretical knowledge of how parenting processes operate at the level of individual families is missing. The ADAPT-program, of which this PhD-position will be part, aims at obtaining these novel theoretical insights into how parenting promotes adolescent well-being.

The project has a strong focus on applying new methods to this question. It will use smart phones to obtain highly frequent, real-time, multi-informant assessments of parent-child interactions (i.e., Experience Sampling Methods). To analyze these intensive data, the project involves first applications of state-of-the-art data-analytical approaches (e.g., Continuous-Time structural equation modeling; time series models for dyadic data). Thus, in order to quantify the complex reality of parenting adolescents at the level of individual families, the PhD-student will embrace technological and data-analytical innovations.

The project is funded by a NWO-VIDI grant, awarded to Loes Keijsers. The PhD-student will be part of a larger project-team working on solving similar theoretical problems and developing applications to translate novel theoretical findings into e-health applications. Moreover, (s)he can rely on a broader network of expertise of the Tilburg Experience Sampling Center for analytical and methodological support.

 an appropriate degree in Psychology, or related discipline. Preferably a research master in behavioral sciences or equivalent degree

- proven expertise, enthusiasm for, and willingness to learn novel advanced statistics for longitudinal and intensive data (e.g., structural equation models, time series, multilevel modeling, CT-SEM)

- interest in adolescent development, parenting, and e-health applications

- excellent communication skills in English and in Dutch (oral and written)

- passion and curiosity for research

- a growth mind set, eagerness to learn, and willingness to explore new theoretical territory and new methods

- organizational skills, collaborative, and flexible attitude

- interest in the topics of the Department of Developmental Psychology at Tilburg University (personality development; individual differences in health and well-being; forensic psychology)

Tilburg University has an excellent policy concerning terms of employment. The collective employment terms and conditions for Dutch universities will apply. The appointments are intended to lead to the completion of a PhD thesis. The PHD appointment begins with a period of 12 months. Continuation of the appointment with another 48 months (with an appointment for 0,8 fte) will be based on performance evaluation. The gross salary for the PHD position amounts € 2222 per month in the first year, rising to € 2840 per month in the fourth year, based on a full-time appointment (38 hours per week). The starting date is negotiable, but no later than December, 1st 2017.

Tilburg School of Social and Behavioral Sciences

Tilburg School of Social and Behavioral Sciences (TSB) is a modern, specialized university. The teaching and research of the Tilburg School of Social and Behavioral Sciences are organized around the themes of Health, Organization, and Relations between State, Citizen, and Society. The Schools inspiring working environment challenges its workers to realize their ambitions; involvement and cooperation are essential to achieve this.

Tilburg School of Social and Behavioral Sciences

Department of Developmental Psychology

The Department of Developmental Psychology at Tilburg University consists of an enthusiastic group of researchers interested in individual differences over the life span. Our research group pools experts in different stages of development. In our department, a broad spectrum of research designs and methods is used; our research is aimed at describing, explaining, and predicting the development of (problematic) individual differences over the entire life span. For this purpose, we study a wide variety of populations ranging from normative youth to forensic psychiatry patients.

Additional information about the vacancy and the VIDI-project can be obtained from Dr. Loes Keijsers (Loes.Keijsers@uvt.nl).