PhD Position on "Enhancing effective crisis decision-making at the strategic level"

Official university vacancy imported from Leiden University. Details are presented for discovery and may change. Confirm the latest requirements and apply on the official source.

• Develop and pilot a group decision-making paradigm and conduct a series of studies examining task process (e.g., information-sharing, advice taking) group dynamics (e.g., conflict, cohesion), and physiological indicators of stress and motivation.
• Collect, manage, and analyse behavioural and physiological data.
• Complete a PhD thesis in English within 4 years.
• Participate in regular meetings, and collaborative research activities within the research team, department, and Adapt! consortium.
• Publish several articles in peer-reviewed journals.
• Present research findings at national and international conferences.
• Participate in the Graduate School at the Faculty, the Adapt! Training program, and the national graduate school, the Kurt Lewin Institute.
• A master’s degree and strong track record in Psychology, Behavioral Science or a related discipline by the intended starting date (1 December 2026).
• A strong interest in team dynamics, decision-making under uncertainty, and human behaviour under pressure.
• Experience with, or strong affinity for, quantitative and experimental research methods, including experience with behavioural data analysis (e.g., R, Python, or similar software).
• Strong analytical skills.
• Fluency in written and spoken English.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills to effectively collaborate and communicate with both academics and crisis professionals.
• Ability to work independently while actively collaborating and contributing to an interdisciplinary research team, including principal investigators, postdocs, crisis practitioners, and fellow PhD students.
• Experience with group-based, experimental, or decision-making research.
• Interest in physiological measures of stress, motivation, or related processes.
• Proficiency in Dutch (which is essential for working with Dutch crisis organizations and professionals).
• Experience collaborating in interdisciplinary research environments.
• We offer a full-time 1-year term position for initially one year. After a positive evaluation of the progress of the thesis, personal capabilities and compatibility, the appointment will be extended by a further three years. This contract falls under the CLA of Dutch Universities
• A salary between €3204 - €4051 gross per month, based on a full-time appointment (38 hours) (PhD student);
• A holiday allowance (8%), an end-of-year bonus (8,3%), and an attractive pension scheme at ABP;
• Full reimbursement of public transport commuting costs for home-to-work travel;
• 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.
• 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.
• In choosing between candidates, in case of equal suitability, preference will be given to internal candidates, women, the occupationally disabled and employees with a migration background.
• You live and are officially registered as resident in The Netherlands or are willing to relocate upon starting the position.
• 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