The current PhD position is part of the ERC Consolidator Grant Project “Force of Gossip”. Gossip, informal evaluative talk about absent third parties, is omnipresent in organizational groups. However, for scientists and practitioners alike, it is still an "unknown force" in organizations, because research findings about its effects on group functioning and performance are inconsistent. Whereas some studies point to the disruptive aspects of gossip, others claim it enhances group cooperation. This PhD project aims to examine the motives individuals have for engaging in gossip in the context of organizational groups and the factors that determine their reactions to such gossip. Specifically, the project aims to distinguish proself and prosocial motives to gossip and to examine the effects of social information processing on gossip recipients' attributions of, and reactions to, gossip.
 
The PhD candidate conducts independent research within a team of researchers working on the Force of Gossip project. The candidate is supervised by a (team of) professor(s), and incorporates the findings of his or her research in a doctoral dissertation. In addition, the PhD candidate is enrolled in the Graduate School for Social Sciences to develop research skills. Furthermore, the candidate will be involved in teaching activities in the department of Organization Sciences.

•MSc. degree in one of the social sciences (psychology, sociology, organization sciences, communication sciences) with good grades, and with a strong preference for social / organizational psychology;
•Experience with designing and executing experimental (laboratory) studies, for example in the context of a master thesis;
•Strong interest in understanding group processes in organizations and particularly in motivational factors explaining these processes;
•Excellent communication and writing skills in English and Dutch;
•A positive attitude towards working in a team of colleagues.

The initial appointment will be for a period of 1 year. After satisfactory evaluation of the initial appointment, it will be extended for a total duration of 4 years.
 
You can find information about our excellent fringe benefits of employment at our website like:
•Remuneration of  8,3% end-of-year bonus and  8% holiday allowance;
•Solid pension scheme (ABP);
•A minimum of 29 holidays in case of full-time employment;
•Participation in Individual Choices model.
 
The salary will be in accordance with university regulations for academic personnel, and amounts € 2222,00 gross per month in the first year up to
€ 2840,00 in the fourth year (salary scale 85) based on a full-time employment.

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU) is a leading, innovative and growing university that is at the heart of society and actively contributes to new developments in teaching and research. Our university has ten faculties, and provides work for over 4,500 staff and scientific education for more than 23,000 students.

http://www.vu.nl/en/index.asp

The Faculty of Social Sciences (FSS) is one of the larger faculties of the Vrije Universiteit. Over 2,500 students and more than 250 employees are engaged in teaching and research on social-science issues.
The faculty has 5 bachelor- and 7 master programs. The faculty offers bachelor and master programs in anthropology, political science, public administration, sociology, communication science and organization science. The main focus of research is societal resilience. The current position is embedded in the Department of Organization Sciences, a multi-disciplinary department which, research focuses on understanding social issues related to organizing and organizations.
 

http://www.fsw.vu.nl/en/research/institute-for-societal-resilience/