This project is part of a collaboration between the FEB and IMD in Lausanne, Switzerland and will be part of FEB’s and IMD’s research program in the area of organizational behavior. The purpose of the project is to examine the factors that help women succeed in organizational leadership roles. A wide body of literature explains women’s unique (and not so unique) paths to power in organizations (e.g., see the meta-analysis from Koch, D’Mello & Sackett, 2015). But we still know very little about an equally-important question: once women attain power in an organization, what are the factors that support and sustain (versus detract from) their maintaining leadership? We want to focus on one of two areas within this topic: (1) the influence of women’s own attributes (e.g., behavior, affect, coping skills, construal) in this relationship and (2) how more powerful women respond to other women in the leadership pipeline (as well as the interaction between 1 and 2). Given that women are progressing into the upper echelons of organizations (although there is still a long way to go before equal representation is achieved), it becomes more crucial and realistic to answer this question. The project will rely on a theoretical foundation of social-cognition and power dynamics, and will include experimental, survey and archival research methodology.

We are looking for a candidate with a master degree (preferably a research masters) in management or social science (e.g., psychology, sociology). The ideal candidate is experienced in working with quantitative research methods (experimental, survey, and/or archival research) and has some knowledge of the scientific literature on power in organizational settings and/or women and leadership. Candidates should be excellent in academic writing, should have excellent communication skills, and should be able to cooperate in a multi-disciplinary team.

Fixed-term contract: 48 months.

We offer in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities:
- a salary starting from €2,325 which increases yearly to a maximum of €2,972
- a holiday allowance of 8% gross annual income in May
- an 8.3% end-of-the-year allowance in December
- a full-time temporary appointment for a period of in principle four years, under the condition of a positive assessment at the end of the first year.

An assessment may be part of the procedure, consisting of psychological tests and an interview.

Targeted start date: 1 September 2019

How to apply
If you are interested, we invite you to apply until 26 May 11.59pm / before 27 May 2019 (CEST). Please click on the "Apply" button below. The application package consists of the following separate documents:
1. your cv (CV attachment)
2. a motivation letter (1A4 max) (letter of motivation attachment)
3. a short study proposal for the PhD project (2 A4 pages max) on one of the following two topics:
a. Women’s own responses to being in powerful/leadership positions (e.g., Does being in power change their affect & behavior? How do they cope with the pressures of being in power? Do they experience being in such positions differently than do men?).
b. Responses of women in leadership roles towards more junior women (and men) in the succession pipeline (e.g., Do they display unique behaviors and how do these behaviors sustain or detract from their own power? Do they provide unique support provisions towards those (both men and women) lower in the hierarachy?) (extra attachment)
4. a scan of your diploma including transcripts and a proof of English proficiency (extra attachment 2)
5. other relevant documents (extra attachment 3).

The documents 1-4 are compulsory and please note that incomplete application packages will not be considered.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our University. We are committed to building a diverse faculty so you are encouraged to apply. Our selection procedure follows the guidelines of the Recruitment code (NVP), https://nvp-plaza.nl/download/?id=7714 and European Commission's European Code of Conduct for recruitment of researchers, https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/charter/code

Unsolicited marketing is not appreciated.

Faculty of Economics and Business

Since its foundation in 1614, the University of Groningen (RUG) has earned an international reputation as a dynamic and innovative center of higher education, offering high-quality teaching and research. Belonging to the best research universities of Europe and joining forces with prestigious partner universities and networks, the RUG is truly an international place of knowledge.

Faculty of Economics and Business
The FEB has an inspiring study and working environment for students and employees. International accreditation enables the Faculty to demonstrate performance against the highest international standards. It also creates an exciting environment of continuous improvement. FEB's programs, academic staff and research do well on various excellence ranking lists.

SOM, the graduate school and research institute of the FEB, along with IMD Business School (Switzerland), has available:
one PhD position for the project Women Maintaining Power