We are seeking a candidate for a PhD project titled “Agentic and communal occupational stereotypes in medical specializations in the Netherlands”. The project aims to investigate, from a social/organizational psychological perspective, how gender segregation in medical specializations (e.g., many surgeons are men, many pediatricians are women) determines the specialization preferences of medical students. It explores how male and female doctors and medical students perceive the work culture and occupational stereotype of their specialization (e.g., what are the qualities of a successful surgeon, cardiologist, or oncologist?), and how cultures and stereotypes differ between male- and female-dominated medical fields. It further explores whether the creation of more diverse images of occupational success improves the fit that minorities experience within medical fields and whether this intervention would result in more sustainable cooperation, more inclusion and less gender segregation between medical fields. A detailed description of project 3 can be found here. 

The project is part of a larger transdisciplinary and interdisciplinary research cluster on ‘Differential Pathways to Gender-Inclusive Labour Markets’ within the research programme SCOOP: Roadmaps to Resilient Societies. It will be supervised by promotor(s) from both Social and Organizational Psychology and History. SCOOP is a research and training centre dedicated to the interdisciplinary study of sustainable cooperation as a key feature of resilient societies. SCOOP brings together researchers of the University of Groningen, Utrecht University, VU Amsterdam, Erasmus University Rotterdam, and Radboud University Nijmegen. The PhD student will participate in the SCOOP PhD training programme.

We are looking for a candidate who has the following qualifications: 

• (almost) finished a (research) master's degree in the domain of Social, Health or Organizational Psychology, or a related discipline such as Sociology;
• solid training in Social Science research;
• an affinity with quantitative and qualitative research methods;
• (preferably) proven affinity and interest in the research field of gender (in)equality;
• eagerness to work in an interdisciplinary research team and to conduct interdisciplinary research in the SCOOP programme;
• proven academic and research skills;
• eagerness to publish international articles and write a dissertation;
• excellent command of English and academic writing skills.

We offer a temporary position (0.8-1.0 FTE) for a period of 18 months. Upon good performance and positive evaluation, the contract will be extended for the remaining period of 30 months (4 years in total). The gross salary ranges between €2,434 in the first year and €3,111 in the fourth year (scale P according to the Collective Labour Agreement Dutch Universities) 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. In addition, Utrecht University offers excellent secondary conditions, including an attractive retirement scheme, (partly paid) parental leave and flexible employment conditions (multiple choice model). More information about working at Utrecht University can be found here.

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.

The Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences is one of the leading faculties in Europe for research and academic teaching in Cultural Anthropology, Educational Sciences, Interdisciplinary Social Science, Pedagogical Sciences, Psychology and Sociology. We are a faculty at the heart of society and one which cooperates closely with others. Our almost 6,000 students are enrolled in a broad range of undergraduate and graduate programmes. We have approximately 900 faculty and staff members, who all work closely together to educate and train young talent and to research and find solutions to scientific and societal issues. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth and Institutions for Open Societies.