This 2-year postdoc project, funded by an NWO Vidi grant awarded to Dr. Patty Leijten, will be conducted in the Research Institute of Child Development and Education at the University of Amsterdam. The aim of the research will be to better understand how parents can alter the development of children’s mental health problems, and to inform the development of precision therapy.

The Postdoc will be involved in (1) intensive longitudinal research (e.g., ecological momentary assessment studies) to understand transactional parent-child interaction patterns, and (2) field experimental research (e.g., factorial experiments) to identify optimal combinations of therapy elements. The Postdoc will receive strong mentorship in further developing their own, independent program of research and grant development. The Postdoc will contribute to the learning of PhD candidates in the research team. Possibilities of a teaching appointment for an additional 0.2 FTE can be discussed.

What are you going to do

Your primary tasks will be:

• Co-designing and conducting intensive longitudinal (i.e., ecological momentary assessment) and/or field experimental studies;
• Conducting advanced quantitative statistical analyses;
• Writing international peer-reviewed academic papers;
• Presenting your work at conferences for academics, policy makers and clinicians.

What do we require

We are looking for a candidate who is eager and qualified to use rigorous research designs to advance our understanding of child mental health problems. The candidate must thrive in a collaborative environment that asks for autonomy and flexibility, and hold a proactive, mastery-oriented approach to one's learning process.

Your experience and profile:

• You hold a PhD in psychology (e.g., developmental, clinical), pedagogics, or an associated field;
• You have a proven ability to address original, innovative research questions using thorough research methods;
• You have excellent quantitative research and analysis skills, preferably using intensive longitudinal data (e.g., ecological momentary assessments);
• You have excellent writing and presentation skills (English, and preferably Dutch);
• You are flexible with strong social and organisational skills;
• You are able to work in a team while maintaining autonomy;
• You enjoy projects that require proactivity, collaboration, and creativity;
• You are eager to invest in the learning process of PhD candidates and Research Assistants.

Fixed-term contract: 24 months.

Our offer

The position concerns temporary employment of 30.4 hours (0.8 FTE) per week for two-years.

Your salary will be €3,821 to €5,230 gross per month (scale 11; based on 38 hours per week), 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

The University of Amsterdam is the largest university in the Netherlands, with the broadest spectrum of degree programmes. It is an intellectual hub with 39,000 students, 6,000 employees and 3,000 doctoral students who are all committed to a culture of inquiring minds.

Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences

A challenging work environment with a variety of duties and ample scope for individual initiative and development within an inspiring organization. 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.

Want to know more about our organisation? Read more about working at the University of Amsterdam.