Assistant Professor in Developmental & Educational Psychology (0.8-1.0 FTE)

Assistant Professor in Developmental & Educational Psychology (0.8-1.0 FTE)
The Developmental and Educational Psychology unit of the Institute of Psychology invites applications for an Assistant Professor who will contribute to research, education, and societal impact focused on the development and resilience of young people. We are seeking an early-career scientist who combines methodological rigor with a strong commitment to co-creative, impact-oriented research and high-quality academic teaching.

About the unit
Our unit studies developmental processes from childhood through adolescence and emerging adulthood, with a focus on the interplay between biological factors and social contexts, including family, peers, schools, and society. We offer engaging teaching programmes in the Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes in Psychology, in which we train students in clinical skills relevant to clinical and educational practice, and in the development of strong research competencies, preparing students for academic and applied careers. Our research is integrated with the aim of supporting young people in thriving safely, healthily, and with equal opportunities. Research within the unit is organized around two closely connected research areas. The first area focuses on young lives and social worlds, examining learning, decision-making, belonging, and participation in real-world contexts such as classrooms, peer groups, families, and online environments. The second area focuses on rethinking youth mental health, integrating developmental, transdiagnostic, and individual-differences approaches to understand risk and protective mechanisms and to develop effective prevention and intervention strategies across educational and clinical settings. The unit collaborates with a broad range of initiatives, including those within the Leiden Healthy Society Center (LHSC) and the Leiden University Treatment Clinic (LUBEC).

Your role
The successful candidate will develop and conduct research contributing to the unit-based strategic research areas and strengthen our contribution to the national Sector Plan Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) Resilience in Youth, a dynamic consortium that connects early-career researchers and advances knowledge on resilience, wellbeing, and participation of young people in today’s complex and rapidly changing social world, while accelerating the translation of research into tangible tools, practices, and public knowledge that meaningfully support young people’s wellbeing, opportunities, and participation.

In addition, you will contribute to education within the Psychology Bachelor’s program and/or the MSc programs Child and Adolescent Psychology, School Psychology, and the Research Master Developmental Psychology. Your teaching will focus on school, clinical and/or societal contexts. We value teaching that connects scientific knowledge to educational and clinical practice and prepares students for both professional practice and research careers at the intersection of education, youth mental health, and societal challenges.

Where you will work
The Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences consists of five institutes: the Centre for Science and Technology Studies, Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology, Education and Child Studies, Political Science, and Psychology. The faculty is home to approximately 7,000 students and 1,000 staff members. Our institutes are dedicated not only to education but also to groundbreaking research that expands our understanding of human behavior and societal structures. What makes our faculty unique is the diversity of research topics, the variety of teaching approaches, and the structure of professional support. This provides you with the opportunity to explore and develop your interests and expertise. For an introduction to our faculty, visit our website: Welcome to the Leiden Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences – Leiden University.

The Institute of Psychology trains new generations of students to address the challenges of our society, both now and in the future, through leading behavioral science research and education. This is achieved through collaboration, both within and outside the institute, in the field of psychology and related research areas, covering both fundamental and applied aspects. The broad bachelor’s program and a wide range of master’s specializations further contribute to this mission. Within the institute and the academic community, a dedicated and passionate atmosphere prevails. The themes of Health and Wellbeing, Social-Cognitive-Affective Decision Making, Development and Learning, and Advanced Behavioral Science Methods guide both research and education. The institute places great importance on fostering a safe and inclusive environment, with room for new developments such as open science, recognition and valorization, and interdisciplinarity, which are firmly embedded in the institute’s strategy. The institute, with approximately 5,000 students and 600 staff members, comprises the Institute Office, the Bachelor’s Education Department, and six research and teaching units: Health, Medical and Neuropsychology, Clinical Psychology, Cognitive Psychology, Developmental and Educational Psychology, Social and Organizational Psychology, and Methods and Statistics.

What you bring

• A PhD in Developmental Psychology or a closely related discipline
• Demonstrated expertise in youth development and developmental psychopathology
• A clear research interest in resilience in youth
• Proven teaching experience at the academic level
• Strong methodological and statistical skills (e.g., experience with R, Python, or comparable tools);
• Experience with, or strong affinity for co-creative and translational research in collaboration with schools and/or community partners
• A collaborative attitude and strong communication skills
• Excellent command of English (C1 level or higher)
• Proficiency in Dutch, or willingness to acquire Dutch at B1 level within two years
• Preferably, evidence of basic psychodiagnostic skills (BAPD)

Leiden University expects teachers to hold the University Teaching Qualification (UTQ). If you do not yet hold this qualification (or equivalent), you are expected to obtain it within two years.

If you immediately recognise yourself in this profile, or if do you not quite meet all the requirements, but you believe that this is the right job for you, we look forward to your application!

What we offer
Our goal is to work together to create a transparent and inclusive work environment in which everyone feels welcome and appreciated. Our organisation is always evolving and we need your ideas for improvement and innovation to take us further. We want to devote attention to your personal development.

You can expect an enjoyable job within the socially relevant world of education and research. The University's challenging and international work environment is located just steps away from Leiden’s lively city centre or the bustling city centre of The Hague. We also want to work with you to devote attention to your health and vitality, for example with the fun activities we organise through Healthy University.

We also offer:

• An employment contract for the duration of one year with a view to permanent employment. This contract falls under the CLA of Dutch Universities;
• A salary between €4728 - €6433 gross per month, based on a full-time appointment (38 hours) (Scale 11);
• A holiday allowance (8%), an end-of-year bonus (8,3%), and an attractive pension scheme at ABP;
• Flexible working hours: as a standard, you are entitled to a minimum of 29 leave days on the basis of a full-time working week of 38 hours; you can also save for extra leave, for example by working 40 hours a week, and in this way accrue an extra 96 leave hours, or exchange 96 leave hours for a 36-hour week.
• Lots of options when it comes to secondary employment conditions; we can, for example, discuss options for a sabbatical or paid parental leave. Within our terms of employment individual choices model, you can exchange leave days and/or salary for benefits such as an advantageous sports subscription and bicycle scheme;
• If your work allows it, hybrid working is possible within the Netherlands;
• A home-working allowance (day and internet allowance) and attention for good workplaces. The University will also provide you with a laptop and a mobile telephone (if applicable for the position).

For more information about employment conditions, see https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/working-at/job-application-procedure-and-employment-conditions

What we find important
Promoting an inclusive community is central to Leiden University’s values and vision. Leiden University aims to be an inclusive community in which all students and staff members feel valued and respected, and are able to develop to their full potential. Diversity in experiences and perspectives enriches our teaching and strengthens our research. High-quality education and research means inclusive education and research.

Want to apply or find out more?
If you want to apply straight away, click the application button.

If you would like more information about what the job entails, please contact Anna van Duijvenvoorde (chair Developmental and Educational Psychology), at a.c.k.van.duijvenvoorde@fsw.leidenuniv.nl. You can apply until 10 maart 2026; applications will be processed immediately. Interviews will be held in March and April.

To help us get to know each other better, we follow a number of steps in the application procedure. For more information, see https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/working-at/job-application-procedure-and-employment-conditions

• We believe mobility is very important. That is why we are also publishing this vacancy internally. In case of equal suitability, we will give priority to the internal candidate.
• A pre-employment screening (references, diplomas, certificate of good conduct (VOG)) may be part of the selection procedure.
• Acquisition in response to this vacancy is not appreciated. If you nevertheless choose to send us CVs, no rights can be derived from this. #LI-Hybrid