PhD position Student wellbeing through student voices

Do you want to contribute to groundbreaking research that pushes the boundaries of science? Are you looking for a PhD position in which you can turn your curiosity into concrete research results and a dissertation? In that case, the position of PhD candidate Student wellbeing through student voices at the University of Groningen (UG) might just be what you are looking for!

As a PhD candidate in the Behavioural and Social Sciences, you will have the opportunity to develop your own insights, collect data, and share your findings with both scientific colleagues and partners from professional practice worldwide. Under the guidance of a supervisor and together with a motivated team, you will work on meaningful solutions and contribute to the future of your field.

This PhD project is embedded within StudentLines, a collaborative initiative between the University of Groningen and Hanze University of Applied Sciences. StudentLines brings together student data, educational data, and stakeholder expertise to build a robust longitudinal monitoring system with societal impact. Within this context, the project focuses on developing student-centered monitoring strategies that acknowledge diverse conceptualisations of wellbeing and produce knowledge that is meaningful for students themselves

Although research on student wellbeing is proliferating, there is still limited clarity on what actually promotes wellbeing and why. Compounding this gap is the underrepresentation of students’ own voices in monitoring systems, intervention design, and institutional decision-making. Many existing practices lack standardisation, monitoring, and longitudinal evaluation, which makes it difficult to compare their effectiveness across contexts.

The project seeks to integrate multiple perspectives to:

• Identify how different student groups conceptualise wellbeing.
• Understand which experiences shape their wellbeing over time.
• Investigate how curriculum structures and teacher practices relate to wellbeing.
• Contribute to a comprehensive, student-driven wellbeing monitoring and evaluation system for the broader StudentLines programme.

The supervisory team consists of three supervisors: Dr Marjon Fokkens-Bruinsma (promotor, UG department of Teacher Training), Dr Nienke Renting (co-promotor, UG GION) and Dr Elanor Kamans (Professor of Applied Sciences, Hanze). The PhD candidate will meet regularly with the full supervisory team. The candidate will also participate in meetings with other PhD candidates within StudentLines and in the departments’ research meetings. The PhD candidate will be registered with the Graduate School of the Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences and with the research school ICO (Interuniversity Centre for Educational Research). Both institutes offer a broad range of courses and activities aimed at supporting your professional and academic development.

Why would you want to apply for this position?

1. To make an impact: In this role, you will directly contribute to scientific insights that address societal issues. Your research will not only translate into publications, but also into concrete solutions, ensuring a tangible impact.
2. Personal development: You will have the opportunity to build on your academic profile with the support of experienced scientists, to develop yourself into an expert in the field. This position offers the chance to further enhance your research and teaching competencies while providing ample opportunities for both professional and personal growth.

What are you going to do?

As a PhD candidate, you will perform the following duties:

• You will conduct research that results in a dissertation and is consistent with the goals and requirements of the project.
• You will organise and conduct data collection for the subprojects.
• You will publish research results in international scientific journals.
• You will present the research to a wide audience of both domestic and international fellow scientists and partners from the professional field.
• You will collaborate with fellow scientists in the larger project.
• You will contribute to a limited number of teaching activities in the Department of Teacher Education, such as working groups and guest lectures.

For this position, we are looking for someone who:

• Has a Research Master or Master's degree in the field of social sciences, for instance in educational sciences, psychology, health sciences, or a related field.
• Is enthusiastic about writing international publications and a dissertation and
• possesses good academic writing skills.
• Has a good command of the Dutch and English languages (C1 level).
• Possesses good social, communication, statistical analysis skills, and interviews skills
• Is willing to collaborate with other team members.
• Is enthusiastic about translating scientific insights into practical guidelines and advice.
• Possesses good organisational skills and perseverance.
• Demonstrates competencies such as statistical analytical skills, conceptual ability, presentation skills, project management skills (planning and monitoring progress).

• 232 vacation hours per year, based on a 38-hour workweek (1.0 FTE). You can also work more or fewer hours in exchange for more or fewer free hours. For example, with a 40-hour workweek, you save 96 extra free hours, and with a 36-hour workweek, you lose 96 hours.
• End-of-year bonus of 8.3% and 8% holiday allowance.
• Extensive opportunities for personal and professional development.

At the University of Groningen (UG), researchers from all fields of academia and technology are working on academic challenges and societal questions. Lecturers prepare their students for meaningful careers within or outside the academic world. Interdisciplinary research and teaching, sharing of knowledge, collaboration with businesses, government institutions, and societal organizations are aspects that are of the utmost importance to this European top university. The UG aims to be an open academic community with an inclusive and safe working climate that invites you to add your value.

The Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences (GMW) excels in research and teaching in the areas of behaviour, thinking, learning, and participation in society. More than 4,500 students and approximately 650 staff address social questions and challenges that people experience in daily life. Our core focus is on individual and societal resilience and how to strengthen it. We focus on current themes such as health and wellbeing, sustainable living, learning and development, inclusive society, safe and healthy upbringing, and work and collaboration. If you would like to learn more about the Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences, visit rug.nl/gmw. 

This PhD trajectory is a collaboration between the University of Groningen and Hanze University of Applied Sciences. Your main workplace will be at the Department of Teacher Education, which provides education and continuing education for secondary school teachers. The research program of the Department is part of the Nieuwenhuis Institute for Educational Research. More information about the Teacher Training Department can be found here: https://www.rug.nl/gmw/research/lerarenopleiding/

In addition to your workplace at the University of Groningen Department of Teacher Training, you will work one day a week at Hanze University. At Hanze, you will be part of the Talent Development in Higher Education and Society research group, which is part of the Center for Talent and Learning. More information about the research group can be found here: https://www.hanze.nl/nl/onderzoeken/centers/centrum-voor-talent-en-leren/lectoraten/talentontwikkeling-in-hoger-onderwijs-en-samenleving 

Do you have any questions or need more information?

Questions about the content of the job?
Marjon Fokkens - Bruinsma (Associate Professor): marjon.bruinsma@rug.nl

Questions about your application process?
Marjon Fokkens - Bruinsma (Associate Professor): marjon.bruinsma@rug.nl