The main goal of this project is to optimize treatment for youth with behavior problems (BP) and mild intellectual disability (MID). Recently, the main supervisor designed an enhanced CBT protocol for BP-MID youth, incorporating strategies to cope with challenges (Meer zelfcontrole, minder boos: Liber & De Boo, 2018). This new protocol, combined with recent developments in methodology that provide innovative within-subjects repeated measures designs along with qualitative research methods, allow in-depth study and mapping of the change process for single cases and small samples. Read more about this project here (.pdf). 

Job tasks/responsibilities

• Conducting the research (literature research, recruiting schools & trainers, collecting and analyzing data, reporting the results), resulting in international scientific publications and a dissertation.
• Part of the data collection may involve clinical assessment of cognitive capacities and supervision of the training of trainers in the specific intervention. Clinical training and interest in the clinical field are important assets. The PhD candidate will examine therapeutic processes and address optimizing treatment outcome for special populations. Likewise, the PhD candidate will work with both qualitative and quantitative data-sets, and both qualitative and quantitative data-analytic techniques.
• Present results at national and international scientific conferences, and to translate findings to clinical practice.
• Active participation in the research group and Department.
• Ambition to collaborate with (inter)national partners and to visit these partners is encouraged.

We are looking for someone who:

• holds (or nearly holds) a (Research) Master’s degree in Developmental Psychology or a related field, preferably with a specialization in Developmental Psychopathology;
• seeks intellectual challenge and has strong academic competencies;
• preferably has affinity with disruptive behaviour and/or children with mild intellectual disabilities;
• is able to handle the logistics of the data collection and maintain and expand the current network to allow sufficient participant flow in the study;
• has excellent social and communicative (written and oral) skills;
• is fluent in Dutch, and is capable of attuning one’s own use of language to that of clients, professionals, and other stakeholders;
• is effective, efficient, and able to think conceptually and academically;
• enjoys teamwork, but can work independently;
• can easily shift from a fundamental and theoretical decision making to ad hoc decision making regarding practicalities;
• is able to meet deadlines, and conduct research independently and as part of a team;
• possesses good statistical skills.

We offer a temporary position (1.0 FTE) for one year, starting preferably October 1, 2019. Upon a positive performance, the appointment will be extended for three further years. The gross salary - depending on previous qualifications and experience - ranges between €2,325 and €2,972 (scale P according to the Collective Labour Agreement Dutch Universities) gross per month for a full-time employment. Salaries are supplemented with a holiday bonus of 8 % and a year-end bonus of 8.3 % per year. We offer a pension scheme, (partly paid) parental leave, collective insurance schemes and flexible employment conditions (multiple choice model). More information is available at our website: 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 societal themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Sustainability.

Utrecht is a young and vibrant city with a large academic population, around 30 minutes south of Amsterdam. It combines a beautiful old city centre with a modern university. Utrecht has an excellent quality of life, with plenty of green space and a strong bicycle culture.

The Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences is one of the leading Faculties in Europe providing research and academic teaching in Interdisciplinary Social Science, Cultural Anthropology, Educational Sciences, Pedagogical Sciences, Psychology, and Sociology. More than 5,600 students are enrolled in a broad range of undergraduate and graduate programmes. The Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences has some 850 faculty and staff members, all providing their individual contribution to the training and education of young talent and to the research into and finding solutions for scientific and societal issues.