The postdoctoral researcher will work on the ZonMw funded project ‘Future Positive: Increasing health behaviors among low-SES employees by focusing on hope, optimism, resilience, and efficacy’. This project is part of the 5th Prevention Programme, ‘Work(ing) is Healthy’, which stimulates research aiming to reduce health disparities between high and low-SES employees.

The aim of the project is to provide low SES employees with an improved grip on their future and health. Literally - by increasing their health in the short and long term, by setting concrete, personal, and achievable goals. And figuratively - by increasing a number of important feelings and skills about the future, for example hope, optimism, resilience, and confidence, often referred to as Psychological Capital.

 In brief, the candidate will:

• perform a needs analysis among all stakeholders

• develop, implement, and evaluate a pilot intervention and the final intervention

• perform data analysis on the qualitative and quantitative data;

• disseminate the results gathered in the project by publication of international, peer-reviewed articles

• work in a team and be a part of the department of Work & Social Psychology at Maastricht University

   Additionally, all postdoctoral researchers employed at the Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience of Maastricht University are expected to devote 10% of their appointment to educational activities.

Requirements

Successful candidates for this position should:

• almost or recently have acquired a PhD degree in (applied) social psychology, work and organizational psychology, or public health with a focus on work and workplace topics

• aim for an applied scientific career (e.g. demonstrate interest in working on attracting own funding)

• have affinity with the target group

• have demonstrable knowledge of and experience with qualitative (focus group and in-depth interviews) and quantitative research

• have experience with publication of international, peer-reviewed articles

• have a hands-on, pro-active attitude

• have excellent oral and written communication skills in Dutch and English.

Fixed-term contract: 30 maanden.

The terms of employment of Maastricht University are set out in the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities (CAO). Furthermore, local UM provisions also apply. For more information look at the website http://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl

Maastricht University is renowned for its unique, innovative, problem-based learning system, which is characterized by a small-scale and student-oriented approach. Research at UM is characterized by a multidisciplinary and thematic approach, and is concentrated in research institutes and schools. Maastricht University has around 16,300 students and 4,300 employees. Reflecting the university's strong international profile, a fair amount of both students and staff are from abroad. The university hosts 6 faculties: Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Faculty of Law, School of Business and Economics, Faculty of Humanities and Sciences, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience.

http://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/

Work & Social Psychology