The Department of Human Resource Studies at Tilburg University is looking for a PhD student in the field of strategic human resource management and leadership. Specifically, the research project aim will be to understand line-managers’ leadership behaviors when implementing human resource management (HRM) practices and their implications for employee perceptions of HRM practices, well-being, and performance.  
This position is primarily dedicated to carrying out the proposed research (see project description), with the aim to write a dissertation consisting of academic articles that are publishable in peer-reviewed journals. Additionally, it offers the chance to disseminate research insights to both academia and practice through avenues such as conference presentations, practice-oriented events, and the creation of popular articles. The employment also involves (minor) contributions to teaching allowing you to gain teaching experience.  
The PhD student will be working under the supervision of Dr. Aneeqa Suhail (1st daily supervisor), Dr. Jeske van Beurden (2nd daily supervisor), and Dr. Karina van de Voorde (promotor). Our supervisory team brings expertise from diverse backgrounds including line managers’ implementation of HR practices (Aneeqa), employees’ experiences of HR practices and impact on their outcomes (Jeske) and strategic HRM, well-being and performance (Karina). Our team is committed and enthusiastic to guide you throughout your PhD trajectory. We aim for open communication in both directions to create fruitful conditions for an inspiring learning experience. 
 
Project Description 
Front-line managers play a crucial role in strategic HRM. They are responsible for implementing HRM practices, providing support and motivation to employees, and ultimately, influence their well-being and performance. The leadership behaviors of front-line managers are also critical in shaping the well-being and performance of employees. Recently, HRM scholars have questioned how implemented HRM practices and line-managers’ leadership behaviors in tandem enhance employee well-being and performance. 
 
The research aims of this project are threefold: (1) to explore the leadership behaviors and implementation of HRM practices by line managers and their impact on employee well-being and performance, (2) to examine various stakeholders’ (e.g., employees and HR managers) perspectives on HRM implementation and the involved leadership behaviors by line managers, (3) to investigate week-to-week changes in leadership behaviors adopted by line managers when implementing HRM practices and how these fluctuations affect employees’ perceptions of HRM practices, their well-being, and performance. 
 
As a PhD researcher, you will combine multidisciplinary insights from the strategic HRM, leadership and organizational behavior (OB) literature to develop a comprehensive understanding of line managers’ leadership behaviors when implementing HRM practices and their implications for employee perceptions of HRM practices, well-being, and performance.  

Are you eager to learn and do you have an affinity with HRM-related research? Then this job might be interesting for you. We are looking for an individual interested in conducting research on line managers’ leadership behaviors when implementing HRM practices. For this PhD project, we require a candidate who is equipped with knowledge of – and ideally has experience with or is willing to further develop in the areas of - quantitative (diary & multi-level studies) and qualitative (interviews & focus groups) research methods. The ideal candidate should be able to work  independently, demonstrate proactive learning attitude, and exhibit creative and open thinking. In addition, possess excellent communication, cooperation,, project management and organizational skills. Proficiency in English along with advanced English writing skills, is required. Lastly, the candidate should have nearly or recently completed (Research) Master’s degree in HR, OB, organizational psychology, or a closely related field.  

Our Offer  
This is a position for 1.0 FTE (40 hours per week) of the full-time working week.  
The salary amounts to a minimum of €2.770 and a maximum of €3.539 gross per month for fulltime employment contract, based on UFO profile PhD student and salary scale number PhD’s of the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. Tilburg University uses a neutral salary system for scaling that is based on relevant education and work experience.  
 
You are entitled to a vacation allowance of 8% and a year-end bonus of 8.3% of your gross annual income. If you work 40 hours per week, you will receive 41 paid days of leave per year. Tilburg University offers excellent employment conditions. We think flexibility, professional and personal development, and good employee benefits are important. We make clear agreements about career paths and offer all kinds of facilities and schemes to maintain an optimal balance between work and private life. You can also follow numerous training courses, for example, in the areas of leadership skills, personal effectiveness, and career development.   
  
Tilburg University values an open and inclusive culture. We embrace diversity and encourage the mutual integration of groups of employees and students. We focus on creating equal opportunities for all our employees and students so that everyone feels at home in our university community. Tilburg University has a lively campus in beautiful green surroundings that is easily accessible by public transport. We are committed to a sustainable society and challenge you to make an active contribution. 

Please visit working at Tilburg University for more information on our terms of employment.  

Tilburg University

Serving society and making it better for its citizens. That is what drives us. Tilburg University's founder, Martinus Cobbenhagen, believed that anyone who wants to understand society must be actively and consciously involved in it. These ideas still form the basis of our university. Under the motto Understanding society, our more than 2,800 employees develop and transfer knowledge and bring people from different disciplines and organizations together. In this way, we want to contribute to solving complex social issues. In doing so, we work from the fields of economics, business and entrepreneurship, social and behavioral sciences, law and administration, humanities and digital sciences, and theology. We educate our 20,000 students of 
132 nationalities to become Tilburg University Shaped Professionals: responsible and entrepreneurial thinkers, driven by solidarity, a sense of responsibility and empathy, who are able to influence and give direction to a rapidly changing society in an innovative way. 

About Tilburg School of Social and Behavioral Sciences 
Tilburg School of Social and Behavioral Sciences (TSB) is one of the five faculties of Tilburg 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”, and “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 School of Social and Behavioral Sciences

Department of Human Resources Studies 
The department of Human Resource Studies, located in the Tilburg School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, takes a balanced approach to studying the exchange relationships between employer and employee at different levels of analysis and both from the perspective of the employer and the employee. Our HRS department carries out research in four research labs (1) Aligning strategic HRM, well-being, and performance; (2) Health and well-being across working life; (3) Positive organizations and development; (4) Inclusive HRM. Our department has a strong international focus, with a strong institutional linkage with prestigious research centers. Furthermore, a part of the HRS department is the People Management Center which serves as a platform for global HR excellence to connect staff and students of the HRS department at Tilburg University, TIAS Business School and the business partners in the HR field. Moreover, you will become part of a group of PhD students working in our department. This group is continuously working together to engage and inspire each other through the values of community, compassion, and growth. This means that they create a safe space with room for openness and support, that they value kindness, and continuously learn to develop their strengths.