The department of Developmental Psychology has four PhD positions available that will strengthen ongoing research areas in the fields of development, transitions, psychopathology, lifespan and aging. The four PhD projects are related to life events and transitions, antisocial behavior and transitions, successful aging and transitions, and youth development and transitions. All projects are part of the umbrella theme ‘Development and Transitions Across the Lifespan’. More information about the other projects please check our vacancywebsite. 

Please read all 4 PhD projects descriptions and feel free to apply to more than one position. 

This specific PhD position relates to:

Successful Aging
Societies are aging worldwide with biological age being the strongest risk factor for multiple chronic diseases and mental decline. Beyond that, the social life of older adults is changing compared to earlier periods of life, for instance in terms of social embeddedness, social integration, and social status. In this project, we focus on successful aging, the ability of each and every individual to adapt to age-related losses and challenges and to make optimal use of their latent psychological, mental, physical and social potentials. More specifically, we plan to examine whether grandparenthood can provide such a potential to foster aspects of successful aging (e.g., well-being, social connectedness, physical and cognitive functioning). While some studies highlight the advantage of grandparenting for well-being, health and cognitive functioning, a too high involvement can be perceived as a burden, reversing those positive effects. In this project, we will examine both the general effects of grandparenthood as well as inter-individual differences in the consequences thereof. To investigate both short- and long-term changes, we will apply a multi-method research approach working with existing population-based longitudinal data sets and collecting new data including self-reports, laboratory assessment, and ESM.

Department 
You will be employed in a highly dynamic, positive and talented department with outstanding academics in the fields of lifespan psychology, developmental psychopathology, forensic psychology, transitions, social relations, personality, personal growth and strengths, and (successful) aging. For the PhD project, you will be part of a group of academics with various expertise and you will be daily supervised by dedicated staff members. Team spirit and joint scientific efforts are essential in the department, in line with the vision of Tilburg University. 

Teaching
The PhD position also involves teaching commitments. Concretely, PhD-students are expected to teach 20% (full-time appointment), with the exception of the last year (10%). Teaching tasks concern, among other things, supervising students in writing bachelor's theses or supervising working groups.

• (Research) Master’s degree in social sciences or a comparable master’s degree
• Good knowledge of statistical research methods
• Proficiency in academic written and spoken English
• Being able to work independently as well as in a team 
• Proactive attitude
• Outstanding interpersonal skills to work with external stakeholders
• Inquisitive and willing to contribute positively to the atmosphere of the Department

Fixed-term contract: 4 years.

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 36 months will be based on performance evaluation. 

The gross salary is € 2.434 per month in the first year, rising to € 3.111 gross per month in the fourth year, based on a full-time appointment (38 hours per week). 

The collective employment terms and conditions for Dutch universities will apply. Tilburg University is rated among the top of Dutch employers and has excellent terms of employment, such as a holiday allowance of 8% and an end-of-year bonus of 8.3% (annually), an options model and reimbursement of moving expenses. Candidates from outside the Netherlands may qualify for a temporary tax-free allowance equal to 30% of their taxable salary. The university will apply for such an allowance on their behalf. The collective labor agreement of the Dutch Universities applies.

Tilburg School of Social and Behavioral Sciences

Tilburg University is een moderne gespecialiseerde universiteit. Het onderwijs en onderzoek van de Tilburg School of Social and Behavorial Sciences (TSB) zijn georganiseerd rond de thema’s Health, Care & Well-Being, en People, Work, & Organizations. Met een inspirerende werkomgeving daagt de school haar medewerkers uit om hun ambities te verwezenlijken. Betrokkenheid en samenwerking zijn daarbij belangrijke uitgangspunten.

Tilburg School of Social and Behavioral Sciences