Project description
The research project seeks to explore the interaction between emotional resources, cognitive performance and the work environment across the lifespan. It is known that cognitive performance fluctuates from day to day and is influenced by stress experiences, with emotional resources, potentially compensating for cognitive deficits. Positive emotions and emotion regulation strategies have shown promise in enhancing cognitive performance and promoting resilience to stress. The project aims to investigate whether positive emotions and emotion regulation strategies are linked to daily fluctuations in cognitive performance within a dynamic workplace context.
Drawing from Job-Demands-Resources Theory and Conservation of Resources Theory, the research aims to examine how emotional resources can buffer the impact of cognitive job demands on (cognitive and job) performance. Using experience sampling in a work context, the project aims to combine daily cognitive tests with practical work performance outcomes. Additionally, the project aims to develop a personalized training intervention to enhance the utilization of emotional resources. This intervention will consist of targeted emotion regulation exercises based on an individual's cognitive performance and emotional resource linkages. Through a combination of experimental and intensive-longitudinal approaches, the research aims to assess the effectiveness of the intervention on daily cognitive functioning and the growth of emotion regulation strategies over time.
The exact planning of the PhD research will be decided in collaboration with the prospective PhD candidate. The preliminary plan includes three studies that utilize preexisting data, experience sampling in a work context, designing a workplace intervention, and testing its effectiveness, respectively.
Job description
The PhD project is multidisciplinary and part of a collaboration between the Department of Developmental Psychology, and the Department of Human Resource Studies, funded by the Herbert Simon Research Institute at Tilburg School of Social and Behavioral Sciences. For the first two years, the PhD candidate will be physically located at the Department of Developmental Psychology. After two years, the PhD candidate will join the Department of Human Resource Studies.
Responsibilities are:
Job requirements and qualifications of the candidate
We are looking for a highly motivated, inquisitive, enthusiastic, proactive, and result-driven PhD candidate. Applicants must have a relevant Master’s degree (preferably a research master), for example in cognitive, developmental, personality, social or organizational psychology, human resource studies, sociology, or social/health sciences.
The PhD candidate will be employed by Tilburg University, which is among the top of the Dutch employers and has an excellent policy concerning terms of employment. The appointment is 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 for the PhD position amounts to € 2.770,- per month in the first year, rising to € 3.539,- per month in the fourth year, based on a full-time appointment (38 hours per week).
Tilburg School of Social and Behavioral Sciences (TSB) is a modern, specialized university. The teaching and research of the Tilburg School of Social and Behavioral Sciences are organized around the themes of Adaptive societies, organizations, and workers, Healthy life span, Personalized prevention and care. The School's inspiring working environment challenges its workers to realize their ambitions; involvement and cooperation are essential to achieve this.
Tilburg University is a modern, specialized university. The School of Social and Behavioral Sciences (TSB) has an inspiring working environment that challenges its employees to realize their ambitions; involvement and cooperation are essential to achieve this.
Tilburg University offers a bachelor’s and several master’s programs in psychology, including the research master “Individual Differences and Assessment” and “Social and Behavioral Sciences”, and a bachelor’s and master’s program in HR Studies.
For more information about the Departments of Developmental Psychology and Human Resource Studies please visit:
The PhD candidate will be located in a project led by Dr. Patrick Klaiber (Department of Developmental Psychology), Dr. Keri Pekaar (Department of Human Resource Studies), and Profs. Dorien Kooij (Department of Human Resource Studies) & Yvonne Brehmer (Department of Developmental Psychology). Please reach out to Patrick Klaiber with any questions about the vacancy (p.d.klaiber@tilburguniversity.edu).
This application process is managed by the employer (Tilburg University). Please contact the employer for questions regarding your application.
Please contact the employer for questions regarding your application.
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Applicants should upload their CV, official grade list, and a cover letter including a description of the motivation, and a writing sample (e.g., MA thesis) through the link below.
The closing date for applications is October 1st. The candidate is expected to start no later than February 2024. The interviews are currently scheduled to take place on October 17, 2023, per video call if needed.
Applicants should upload their CV, official grade list, and a cover letter including a description of the motivation, and a writing sample (e.g., MA thesis) through the link below.
The closing date for applications is October 1st. The candidate is expected to start no later than February 2024. The interviews are currently scheduled to take place on October 17, 2023, per video call if needed.
Make sure to apply no later than 1 Oct 2023 23:59 (Europe/Amsterdam).
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