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Are you interested in studying protective factors in education through state-of-the art statistical techniques? Do you want to contribute to scientific progress as well as perform socially relevant research? Apply for this PhD position!
The PhD position is part of the ‘Road to Resilience’ project. The aim of the project is to use and develop state-of-the-art Bayesian techniques to unveil the mechanisms behind resilient trajectories in atypical literacy acquisition during primary education.
Literacy is essential for academic outcomes, employment, participation and well-being. In the Netherlands, there are concerns about increasingly poor literacy outcomes of primary school children. At the same time, we know that some children with initial language and literacy problems can show resilience under the right circumstances. To more fully understand the mechanisms of literacy acquisition, it is essential to learn more about language and literacy development in the face of adversity. In this project, we move beyond the tradition of identifying risk factors for atypical development and shift focus towards protective factors and compensatory mechanisms of resilience.
To make this unique approach work, we apply and further develop Bayesian statistical techniques that provide essential solutions for the possibilities and challenges of developmental observational data. Compared to traditional frequentist statistical methods, the Bayesian framework allows for the incorporation of prior information which can decrease the required sample size to obtain valid inferences and increase the complexity of the model. The PhD candidate will (learn to) apply Bayesian structural equation modeling (SEM) and further develop the use of so-called shrinkage priors in Bayesian SEM.
The project involves collection of cross-sectional and longitudinal data. The sample will contain typically developing children, as well as children with dyslexia and children with a developmental language disorder (DLD). Data collection is spread out across multiple years to reduce workload and allow for analyzing and writing throughout the project (writing can start from day one based on available pilot data). Data is collected through a combination of psycho-diagnostic tests and surveys. The data will cover reading and spelling skills, risk factors for dyslexia and DLD, and potential cognitive, socio-emotional, educational, interpersonal, and family-related protective factors.
The responsibilities of the PhD candidate are:
We are looking for an enthusiastic colleague (m/f/x) who meets the requirements below:
Alternatively, you may have:
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.
The Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences aspires to have a diverse body of staff and students and strives to create and sustain a safe and inclusive environment for everyone, in line with Utrecht University’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion policy.
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