An inclusive organizational climate is crucial to the successful management of a diverse workplace, but much remains unknown about how to effectively create such a climate. Inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI+) employees presents a particular challenge to these efforts, as members of this group differ from colleagues in relatively invisible ways. Systematic insight is needed into how to create an inclusive climate for all employees, including those from relatively visible and invisible minority groups. The goals of this PhD-project are to contribute to theorizing and empirical research on LGBTI+ inclusion in the workplace. To this end, using surveys, experiments and interviews, the PhD student will examine how heteronormativity manifests in people’s diversity ideologies, how these ideologies in turn inform their attitudes toward LGBTI+ inclusion initiatives, and what are the intended and unintended consequences of these initiatives for LGBTI+ workplace inclusion. As such, the project provides insight into the psychological (mis)conceptions that shape diversity management programs at work, the psychological experience of LGBT+ employees in reaction to these programs, and the ways in which inclusion can be fostered.

The position involves the following tasks: 

• Conducting literature reviews;
• Designing empirical studies, executing and coordinating data collection (surveys, field- and lab-experiments and interviews);
• Developing research instruments;
• Processing the collected data;
• Analyzing and interpreting the data; 
• Written and oral reporting of the outcomes of the research;
• Initiating and maintaining contacts with external parties;
• Spending 10% of your time on additional tasks (e.g., teaching, outreach).

This PhD-project (1.0 FTE: four years – 0.8 FTE: five years) will be supervised by Prof. Dr. Jojanneke van der Toorn (UU) and Dr. Seval Gündemir (UvA).

• A (research) Master’s degree in a discipline relevant to the PhD-project (e.g., Social and/or Organizational psychology);
• Excellent quantitative research (e.g., lab experiments, surveys) and data analysis skills;
• Affinity with qualitative research methods (e.g., interviews); 
• A keen interest in both fundamental research and the application of psychological insights to practice; 
• Demonstrable interest in the topic of LGBTI+ inclusion in the workplace;
• Professional attitude and conduct that includes organizational sensitivity, integrity, pragmatism, and good communication skills;
• Superb organizational and decision-making skills;
• Independent thinking and a hands-on mentality;
• Excellent collaborative skills;
• Excellent command of the English language in speaking and writing. Command of the Dutch language is an added advantage;
• Good academic writing and presenting skills.

We offer a temporary position (0.8 FTE - 1.0 FTE), initially for a period of one year, which will be extended for an additional 3 years (1.0 fte) or 4 years (0.8 fte) in case of a good performance. The gross salary ranges between €2,395 in the first year and €3,061 in the fourth year (scale P according to the Collective Labour Agreement Dutch Universities) 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. In addition, Utrecht University offers excellent secondary conditions, including an attractive retirement scheme, (partly paid) parental leave and flexible employment conditions (multiple choice model). More information about working at Utrecht University can be found here.

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.
The Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences is one of the leading faculties in Europe providing research and academic teaching in Cultural Anthropology, Educational Sciences, Interdisciplinary Social Science, 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 about 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.

The PhD position is embedded in the research group of Distinguished Professor Naomi Ellemers, which focuses on two themes in which fundamental scientific research is directly linked to applications and interventions in the field: Diversity & Inclusion, and Integrity & Ethical behavior. In addition, the members of the research group consider it important to focus on forming interdisciplinary partnerships and insights, strengthening external visibility of scientific activities and staying connected to organizational practice.