Post-doc position in evolutionary health psychology

Do you hold a PhD in psychology (or directly related fields) and would you like to pursue a post-doc investigating how and why people behave in ways that reduce infection risks to themselves and others?

Jouw functie

A Postdoc position for two years for 1.0 fte is available at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam in the social psychology section of the Department of Experimental and Applied Psychology. The position is part of the ERC Consolidator Grant NONPHARM: “The Psychological Underpinnings of Nonpharmaceutical Interventions”.

The Research Project
Infectious diseases cripple well-being, batter economies, and kill millions annually. These negative consequences can be reduced via nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) – behaviors that reduce the spread of pathogens. A wealth of recent theoretical and empirical work has illuminated how and why disgust intuitively motivates some NPIs, such as avoiding bodily wastes and spoiled foods. However, disgust does little to inhibit transmission via aerosols, respiratory droplets, and fomites – key pathways for the respiratory pathogens that circulate seasonally, have caused recent pandemics, and will cause the pandemics of the future. NONPHARM uses theory and methods from social psychology, evolutionary psychology, health psychology, and behavioral genetics to increase knowledge of how and why people (and do not) engage in NPIs such as handwashing, social isolation while infectious, and creating barriers to respiratory droplets and aerosols.

This postdoc is embedded within one cluster of the NONPHARM project. Within this cluster, we will examine how people behave when they are ill, how people think about illnesses, and how people view others with illnesses. Responsibilities will include:

  • conducting literature reviews
  • working with the PI to design and execute studies
  • working with the PI to coordinate with collaborators
  • communicating with a panel research agency
  • managing and analyzing data
  • assisting or leading manuscript preparation

Jouw profiel

  • PhD in social, cultural, or evolutionary psychology (or related field, such as anthropology)
  • Excellent data-analytic skills
  • Demonstrated ability to engage in effective scientific writing
  • Demonstrated ability to think and work outside-the-box
  • Excellent command of English
  • A background in the evolutionary social sciences and experience with cross-cultural research and familiarity with literature on disgust, pathogen avoidance, sickness behavior, or hygiene is a plus

As a university, we strive for equal opportunities for all, recognising that diversity takes many forms. We believe that diversity in all its complexity is invaluable for the quality of our teaching, research and service. We are always looking for talent with diverse backgrounds and experiences. This also means that we are committed to creating an inclusive community so that we can use diversity as an asset.

We realise that each individual brings a unique set of skills, expertise and mindset. Therefore we are happy to invite anyone who recognises themselves in the profile to apply, even if you do not meet all the requirements.

Wat bieden wij

A challenging position in a socially engaged organisation. At VU Amsterdam, you contribute to education, research and service for a better world. And that is valuable. So in return for your efforts, we offer you:

  • a salary of minimum € 3.345,00 (Scale 10) and maximum € 5.278,00 (Scale 10) gross per month, on a full-time basis. This is based on UFO profile Researcher 4. The exact salary depends on your education and experience.
  • a position for at least 1 FTE. Your employment contract will initially last 1 year. Afterwards, the possibility of expansion exists.

We also offer you attractive fringe benefits and regulations. Some examples:

  • A full-time 38-hour working week comes with a holiday leave entitlement of 232 hours per year. If you choose to work 40 hours, you have 96 extra holiday leave hours on an annual basis. For part-timers, this is calculated pro rata.
  • 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus
  • a wide range of sports facilities which staff may use at a modest charge
  • contribution to commuting expenses
  • solid pension scheme (ABP)

Preferably the candidate would be able to start in early 2025.

Over ons

Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences
Developing knowledge for an active, healthy and meaningful life: that is our mission at the Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences at VU Amsterdam. We maintain a broad focus on the fields of behaviour and health. Our teaching and research programmes are devoted to current developments in society. From healthy aging to e-health, and from training top athletes to social media as a teaching tool. We combine three academic disciplines: psychology, movement sciences and education. A multidisciplinary approach allows us to arrive at a better understanding of human behaviour and movement. Our aims are to help people live healthier lives, learn better and function better.

Are you interested in joining Behavioural and Movement Sciences? You are the kind of person who feels at home working in an ambitious faculty, with an informal atmosphere and short lines of communication. We offer you all the space you need for personal development. Together with your 630 colleagues, you will take care of about 4,200 students.

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam stands for values-driven education and research. We are open-minded experts with the ability to think freely - a broader mind. Maintaining an entrepreneurial perspective and concentrating on diversity, significance and humanity, we work on sustainable solutions with social impact. By joining forces, across the boundaries of disciplines, we work towards a better world for people and planet. Together we create a safe and respectful working and study climate, and an inspiring environment for education and research. Learn more about our codes of conduct

We are located on one physical campus, in the heart of Amsterdam's Zuidas business district, with excellent location and accessibility.  Over 6,150 staff work at the VU and over 31,000 students attend academic education.

Diversity
Diversity is the driving force of VU Amsterdam. VU wants to be accessible and receptive to diversity in disciplines, cultures, ideas, nationalities, beliefs, preferences and worldviews. We believe that trust, respect, interest and differences lead to new insights and innovation, to sharpness and clarity, to excellence and a broader understanding.

We stand for an inclusive community and believe that diversity and internationalisation contribute to the quality of education, research and our services.

Therefore, we are always searching for people whose backgrounds and experience contribute to the diversity of the VU community.

Interesse

Are you interested in this position and do you believe that your experience will contribute to the further development of our university? In that case, we encourage you to submit your application and upload a single PDF that includes your curriculum vitae, a personal statement, and the two publications that you think best represent your best research output (empirical or otherwise) by November 1st, 2024. The statement should be at most two pages long. It should describe your training background (including methodological/statistical expertise), your research activities to date, and your fit with the topic of this project.


Submitting a diploma and a reference check are part of the application process.

Applications received by e-mail will not be considered.

Acquisition in response to this advertisement is not appreciated.

Jouw functie

A Postdoc position for two years for 1.0 fte is available at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam in the social psychology section of the Department of Experimental and Applied Psychology. The position is part of the ERC Consolidator Grant NONPHARM: “The Psychological Underpinnings of Nonpharmaceutical Interventions”.

The Research Project
Infectious diseases cripple well-being, batter economies, and kill millions annually. These negative consequences can be reduced via nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) – behaviors that reduce the spread of pathogens. A wealth of recent theoretical and empirical work has illuminated how and why disgust intuitively motivates some NPIs, such as avoiding bodily wastes and spoiled foods. However, disgust does little to inhibit transmission via aerosols, respiratory droplets, and fomites – key pathways for the respiratory pathogens that circulate seasonally, have caused recent pandemics, and will cause the pandemics of the future. NONPHARM uses theory and methods from social psychology, evolutionary psychology, health psychology, and behavioral genetics to increase knowledge of how and why people (and do not) engage in NPIs such as handwashing, social isolation while infectious, and creating barriers to respiratory droplets and aerosols.

This postdoc is embedded within one cluster of the NONPHARM project. Within this cluster, we will examine how people behave when they are ill, how people think about illnesses, and how people view others with illnesses. Responsibilities will include:

  • conducting literature reviews
  • working with the PI to design and execute studies
  • working with the PI to coordinate with collaborators
  • communicating with a panel research agency
  • managing and analyzing data
  • assisting or leading manuscript preparation

Jouw profiel

  • PhD in social, cultural, or evolutionary psychology (or related field, such as anthropology)
  • Excellent data-analytic skills
  • Demonstrated ability to engage in effective scientific writing
  • Demonstrated ability to think and work outside-the-box
  • Excellent command of English
  • A background in the evolutionary social sciences and experience with cross-cultural research and familiarity with literature on disgust, pathogen avoidance, sickness behavior, or hygiene is a plus

As a university, we strive for equal opportunities for all, recognising that diversity takes many forms. We believe that diversity in all its complexity is invaluable for the quality of our teaching, research and service. We are always looking for talent with diverse backgrounds and experiences. This also means that we are committed to creating an inclusive community so that we can use diversity as an asset.

We realise that each individual brings a unique set of skills, expertise and mindset. Therefore we are happy to invite anyone who recognises themselves in the profile to apply, even if you do not meet all the requirements.

Wat bieden wij

A challenging position in a socially engaged organisation. At VU Amsterdam, you contribute to education, research and service for a better world. And that is valuable. So in return for your efforts, we offer you:

  • a salary of minimum € 3.345,00 (Scale 10) and maximum € 5.278,00 (Scale 10) gross per month, on a full-time basis. This is based on UFO profile Researcher 4. The exact salary depends on your education and experience.
  • a position for at least 1 FTE. Your employment contract will initially last 1 year. Afterwards, the possibility of expansion exists.

We also offer you attractive fringe benefits and regulations. Some examples:

  • A full-time 38-hour working week comes with a holiday leave entitlement of 232 hours per year. If you choose to work 40 hours, you have 96 extra holiday leave hours on an annual basis. For part-timers, this is calculated pro rata.
  • 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus
  • a wide range of sports facilities which staff may use at a modest charge
  • contribution to commuting expenses
  • solid pension scheme (ABP)

Preferably the candidate would be able to start in early 2025.

Over ons

Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences
Developing knowledge for an active, healthy and meaningful life: that is our mission at the Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences at VU Amsterdam. We maintain a broad focus on the fields of behaviour and health. Our teaching and research programmes are devoted to current developments in society. From healthy aging to e-health, and from training top athletes to social media as a teaching tool. We combine three academic disciplines: psychology, movement sciences and education. A multidisciplinary approach allows us to arrive at a better understanding of human behaviour and movement. Our aims are to help people live healthier lives, learn better and function better.

Are you interested in joining Behavioural and Movement Sciences? You are the kind of person who feels at home working in an ambitious faculty, with an informal atmosphere and short lines of communication. We offer you all the space you need for personal development. Together with your 630 colleagues, you will take care of about 4,200 students.

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam stands for values-driven education and research. We are open-minded experts with the ability to think freely - a broader mind. Maintaining an entrepreneurial perspective and concentrating on diversity, significance and humanity, we work on sustainable solutions with social impact. By joining forces, across the boundaries of disciplines, we work towards a better world for people and planet. Together we create a safe and respectful working and study climate, and an inspiring environment for education and research. Learn more about our codes of conduct

We are located on one physical campus, in the heart of Amsterdam's Zuidas business district, with excellent location and accessibility.  Over 6,150 staff work at the VU and over 31,000 students attend academic education.

Diversity
Diversity is the driving force of VU Amsterdam. VU wants to be accessible and receptive to diversity in disciplines, cultures, ideas, nationalities, beliefs, preferences and worldviews. We believe that trust, respect, interest and differences lead to new insights and innovation, to sharpness and clarity, to excellence and a broader understanding.

We stand for an inclusive community and believe that diversity and internationalisation contribute to the quality of education, research and our services.

Therefore, we are always searching for people whose backgrounds and experience contribute to the diversity of the VU community.

Vragen over de vacature?

Neem contact op met

Josh Tybur

Professor

Interesse

Are you interested in this position and do you believe that your experience will contribute to the further development of our university? In that case, we encourage you to submit your application and upload a single PDF that includes your curriculum vitae, a personal statement, and the two publications that you think best represent your best research output (empirical or otherwise) by November 1st, 2024. The statement should be at most two pages long. It should describe your training background (including methodological/statistical expertise), your research activities to date, and your fit with the topic of this project.


Submitting a diploma and a reference check are part of the application process.

Applications received by e-mail will not be considered.

Acquisition in response to this advertisement is not appreciated.

Vragen over de vacature?

Neem contact op met

Josh Tybur

Professor

Sollicitatieprocedure

Mis jouw droombaan niet!