A common reflex in education is to impose external measures to boost students’ motivation, such as ‘need support’ provided by teachers (i.e., instructional styles that are aimed at promoting students’ autonomy or competence, e.g., through providing choices or guidance). Although prior motivational research has yielded substantial evidence for the beneficial effects of teachers’ need support on students’ motivation and academic outcomes, several important open questions remain. This project's aim is to answer these questions. Read more about this project here (.pdf).

Job tasks/responsibilities

• Conducting the research (literature research, recruiting schools, collecting and analyzing data, reporting the results), resulting in international scientific publications and a dissertation.
• Presenting results at national and international scientific conferences and to teachers/educational practitioners.
• Following courses at the local graduate school and research school Interuniversity Center for Educational Sciences (ICO).
• Teaching (max. 0.15 FTE) in one of the programmes offered by the Department of Education.
• Active participation in the research group of the project and of the Department.

We are looking for someone who:

• holds (or nearly holds) a Master’s degree in Educational Sciences, Educational/Cognitive Psychology, or Quantitative Methods (with affinity for education research), preferably from a research master;
• is interested in motivation research;
• has good social skills;
• is effective and efficient, and able to think conceptually;
• is able to meet deadlines, and conduct research independently and as part of a team;
• has good statistical skills, preferably knowledge of advanced techniques such as structural equation modeling, multilevel analysis, and/or Bayesian statistics;
• is willing to advance statistical skills;
• has good communication skills (written and oral) in Dutch and English (for foreign applicants: the intention to reach proficiency in Dutch within a short period of time).

We offer a temporary position (1.0 FTE) for one year, starting preferably September 1, 2019. Upon a positive performance, the appointment will be extended for three further years. The gross salary - depending on previous qualifications and experience - ranges between €2,325 and €2,972(scale P according to the Collective Labour Agreement Dutch Universities) gross per month for a full-time employment. Salaries are supplemented with a holiday bonus of 8 % and a year-end bonus of 8.3 % per year. We offer a pension scheme, (partly paid) parental leave, collective insurance schemes and flexible employment conditions (multiple choice model). More information is available at our website: working at Utrecht University.

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.

Utrecht is a young and vibrant city with a large academic population, around 30 minutes south of Amsterdam. It combines a beautiful old city centre with a modern university. Utrecht has an excellent quality of life, with plenty of green space and a strong bicycle culture.

The Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences is one of the leading Faculties in Europe providing research and academic teaching in Interdisciplinary Social Science, Cultural Anthropology, Educational Sciences, Pedagogical Sciences, Psychology, and Sociology. More than 5,600 students are enrolled in a broad range of undergraduate and graduate programmes. The Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences has some 850 faculty and staff members, all providing their individual contribution to the training and education of young talent and to the research into and finding solutions for scientific and societal issues.