Project ATTACK, funded a European Research Council’s Advanced Grant, has openings for a postdoctoral fellow. The project is embedded in the Social, Economic and Organizational Psychology unit at Leiden University, and the Leiden Economic Decision Making Laboratory. The project is directed by Prof Carsten K.W. De Dreu, in collaboration with Dr. Jörg Gross and Dr. Ruthie Pliskin, and currently hosts 4 PhD and 2 Postdoctoral fellows.

Throughout history, what has been causing tremendous suffering is groups of people fighting each other. While behavioural science research has advanced our under­standing of such intergroup conflict, it has exclusively focused on micro-level processes within and between groups at conflict. Disciplines that employ a more histo­rical perspective like climate studies or political geography report that macro-level pressures due to climatic and/or economic changes can go along with social unrest and wars. How do these macro-level pressures relate to micro-level processes? Do they both occur independently, or do macro-level pressures trigger micro-level processes that cause intergroup conflict? And if so, which micro-level processes are triggered, and how? To answer these questions of pressing societal relevance, we propose environmental stress (ES) as the missing link between macro-level pressures and micro-level processes, and examine the impact of ES at the macro-level using historical time-series (project 1), at the small-group level using behavioural experiments grounded in economic (game) theory (project 2), and at the individual level using fMRI and neuro-hormonal challenge (project 3).

The project operates on the interface of (social) psychology, game theory and experimental economics, and social neuroscience. Within the project we are seeking a Postdoctoral researcher (3 years).

Key responsibilities

• Design and implement independent and collaborative research on the neurobiological and social psychological mechanisms underlying cooperation and conflict within and between groups of people (per the above project 2 and 3);
• Analyse data using state-of-the art statistical techniques;
• Present and disseminate research findings at (inter)national conferences and in peer-reviewed journal publications;
• Co-supervise MSc students’ thesis research;
• Integrate research findings in meta-analyse and reviews.

• PhD in Social/Behavioural Neuroscience (Neuroeconomics, Social Neuroscience);
• Experience with computational modelling, neuroscience methods (fMRI, hormonal measurement/challenge) and behavioural experiments on human decision-making;
• Strong statistical and programming skills (e.g., R, Python, Matlab, SPSS, e-prime);
• Strong skills in presenting research findings both orally and in writing.

We offer a 1 year term position, with the possibility of renewal for another 2 years based on need, funding and performance. Salary range from €2709.- to €4978.- gross per month (pay scale 10 or 11, in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities). Starting date: between 1 September and 31 December 2019.

Leiden University offers an attractive benefits package with additional holiday (8%) and end-of-year bonuses (8.3 %), training and career development. Our individual choices model gives you some freedom to assemble your own set of terms and conditions. For international spouses we have set up a dual career programme. Candidates from outside the Netherlands may be eligible for a substantial tax break. More at https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/working-at/job-application-procedure-and-employment-conditions.

Universiteit Leiden

Leiden is a typical university city, hosting the oldest university in the Netherlands (1575). The University permeates the local surroundings; University premises are scattered throughout the city, and the students who live and study in Leiden give the city its relaxed yet vibrant atmosphere.

Leiden University is one of Europe's foremost research universities. This prominent position gives our graduates a leading edge in applying for academic posts and for functions outside academia. More at https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/working-at.

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Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences

The Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences comprises four institutes: Education and Child Studies, Political Science, Psychology and Cultural Anthropology & Development Sociology. The faculty also includes the Centre for Science and Technology Studies. The faculty is home to 5,000 students and 600 members of staff. Our teaching and research programmes cover diverse topics varying from adoption to political behaviour. For more information, see www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/social-behavioural-sciences.

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