We are seeking two PhD candidates for the project 'No data left behind'. The project combines meta-analysis and structural equation modelling techniques. The project is funded by the NWO-VIDI grant awarded to dr. Suzanne Jak, of the Research Institute of Child Development and Education (RICDE).

What are you going to do

With a growing number of empirical studies being published every year, there is an increasing need to systematically review the available empirical evidence. Meta-analysis is a technique that enables the combination of previously conducted studies on a particular research question or theory, in order to draw conclusions that are more reliable, valid and precise than would be possible on the bases of the original individual studies.

The application of structural equation modelling in meta-analysis (MASEM) brings about promising extensions. With MASEM, information from multiple studies is used to test a theoretical model that explains the correlations between a set of variables of interest. The current statistical modelling tools are limited, and do not take advantage of all available data. In two new MASEM-projects, novel methods will be developed that can be used with common but complex data structures, so that no data is left behind.

The two projects involve integrating MASEM with state-of-the art methods from univariate meta-analysis and multilevel structural equation modelling.

Tasks:

• independently carrying out research, writing and completing a PhD dissertation (on the basis of four peer-reviewed articles) within four years;
• participation in the PhD-programme of the Graduate School of Child Development and Education (CDE), and the Interuniversity Graduate School of Psychometrics and Sociometrics (IOPS);
• participation in teaching Methods and Statistics;
• participating in conferences, workshops, seminars and other scholarly activities.

What do we require

Your experience and profile:

• Completed (in the near future) a Master in Methods and Statistics, Data Science, or one of the Social Sciences with excellent grades in methods and statistics courses.
• Experience with applying structural equation modelling and/or meta-analysis
• Are fluent in English.
• the ability to finish the PhD thesis in four years; i.e., good skills in planning, taking initiatives, academic writing.

Fixed-term contract: 1 year.

The position concerns temporary employment of 38 hours per week for a maximum term of four years. The initial employment is for one year. Following a positive assessment and barring altered circumstances, this term will be extended by a maximum of 36 months, which should result in the conferral of a doctorate. We will put together a curriculum which will also include the opportunity to attend training courses and both national and international events. You will also be required to be involved in teaching.

Your salary will be €2.434 gross per month in the first year and will increase to €3.111 in the final year, based on full-time employment and in keeping with the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities. We additionally offer an extensive package of secondary benefits, including 8% holiday allowance and a year-end bonus of 8.3%. The UvA offers excellent possibilities for further professional development and education.

What else do we offer:

• a position in which initiative and input are highly valued;
• an enthusiastic and warm team that is open to new colleagues;
• an inspiring academic and international working environment in the heart of Amsterdam.

University of Amsterdam

With over 6,000 employees, 30,000 students and a budget of more than 600 million euros, the University of Amsterdam (UvA) is an intellectual hub within the Netherlands. Teaching and research at the UvA are conducted within seven faculties: Humanities, Social and Behavioural Sciences, Economics and Business, Law, Science, Medicine and Dentistry. Housed on four city campuses in or near the heart of Amsterdam, where disciplines come together and interact, the faculties have close links with thousands of researchers and hundreds of institutions at home and abroad.  

The UvA’s students and employees are independent thinkers, competent rebels who dare to question dogmas and aren’t satisfied with easy answers and standard solutions. To work at the UvA is to work in an independent, creative, innovative and international climate characterised by an open atmosphere and a genuine engagement with the city of Amsterdam and society.

Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences – Research Institute of Child Development and Education

To work at the University of Amsterdam is to work in a discerning, independent, creative, innovative and international climate characterized by an open atmosphere and a genuine engagement with the city of Amsterdam and society. Here you can read more about working at the University of Amsterdam.

The social and behavioral sciences play a leading role in addressing the major societal challenges faced by the world, the Netherlands and Amsterdam, now and in the future. The Methods and Statistics group of the Research Institute of Child development and Education consists of 8-12 researchers focussing on the conceptualisation, the measurement, and the modelling of constructs used in education and child development. This group is led by prof. dr. F.J. Oort.