Postdoctoral Researcher

Ghent University is one of the top 100 universities in the Dutch language area, with more than 44,000 students and 15,000 staff members.

ABOUT GHENT UNIVERSITY

Ghent University is a world of its own. Employing more than 15,000 people, it is actively involved in education and research, management and administration, as well as technical and social service provision on a daily basis. It is one of the largest, most exciting employers in the area and offers great career opportunities. With its 11 faculties and more than 80 departments offering state‑of‑the‑art study programmes grounded in research in a wide range of academic fields, Ghent University is a logical choice for its staff and students.

Position Overview

Within the Department of Developmental, Personality, and Social Psychology, a postdoctoral researcher (15 months, 40% position) is needed to support an FWO project on need crafting among pre‑adolescents.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and coordinate planned research activities, including developing questionnaires, preparing participant communications, establishing collaborations with schools, conducting pilot testing, and organizing the study procedures.
• Execute research activities, supporting teachers during the intervention, coordinating quantitative and qualitative data collection, and conducting qualitative follow‑up with participating schools.
• Analyse research data, primarily quantitative, using advanced longitudinal analytical techniques.
• Disseminate research findings through peer‑reviewed scientific publications, conference presentations, and invited talks.
• Contribute to administrative tasks, service activities within the research team, and educational activities of the department.
• Supervise a small number of Master's thesis students.

Qualifications

• PhD in Psychology with a strong research track record. Preference for candidates with publications in Self‑Determination Theory, Developmental Psychology, and Digital Mental Health Interventions.
• Experience developing and evaluating digital interventions for pre‑adolescents is a strong asset.
• Experience with children and adolescents is an added value.
• Strong interest in developmental psychology, digital mental health interventions, mental‑wellbeing, and Self‑Determination Theory, and motivation to conduct intensive longitudinal intervention research.
• Ability to work independently and proactively, while remaining open to feedback and willing to collaborate within a multidisciplinary research team.
• Strong quantitative research skills; experience with longitudinal research or diary studies and proficiency in advanced statistical software such as R and/or Mplus is highly desirable.
• Commitment to societal relevance of research and knowledge valorization for a broad range of stakeholders.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills. Proficiency in Dutch is recommended to facilitate data collection.
• Willingness to further develop scientific writing and presentation skills throughout the project, including publishing in international peer‑reviewed journals, presenting at national and international conferences, and communicating research findings in an engaging and accessible manner.
• Open intellectual mindset and enjoyment of collaborating with researchers and professionals from disciplines such as psychology, education, communication, and technology.
• Commitment to maintaining the highest standards of research integrity and ethics.

Benefits

• Definite‑duration contract for 15 months (40% appointment) as a postdoctoral researcher.
• Interdisciplinary team environment.
• Work at the Dunant campus (UGent).
• Start date scheduled for October 1, 2026.
• Access to a range of training and education opportunities, 36 days of holiday leave (annual basis for full‑time job) supplemented by annual fixed bridge days, bicycle allowance, and eco vouchers.

Equal Opportunity

As Ghent University maintains an equal opportunities and diversity policy, everyone is encouraged to apply for this position.