Postdoctoral Researcher: Behavioural Science Institute

Are you interested in how adolescents develop in their social contexts? Are you passionate about unravelling how daily life fluctuations contribute to adolescents’ well-being and social health? Are you interested in examining underlying mechanisms for adolescent loneliness and other socio-emotional problems? Are you enthusiastic about conducting complex multilevel and longitudinal analyses and preregistering your studies? Then we would love to see your application! We are looking for a postdoctoral researcher to join in our mission to unravel macro- and microprocesses underlying socio-emotional development in adolescents and to empower the young.

For this NWO-funded project, we are looking for a talented and motivated researcher with a passion for the well-being of youth. You will be working on data from a finished project, called Adolescents’ social relationships and mental well-being: Longitudinal and momentary predictors of resilience.

In this longitudinal project, researchers collected six waves of data (over four years) and conducted an ecological momentary assessment (EMA) study on parent-adolescent dyads, resulting in a unique and large dataset with both trait and state measures on affect, emotion regulation, socio-emotional and lifestyle factors in adolescents and their parents.

By examining both longitudinal and dynamic (EMA) data, associations underlying adolescent mental and social health and loneliness can be unraveled. Topics such as the role of emotion regulation processes in adolescent loneliness or parental influence on adolescent feelings of loneliness can be addressed, as can questions related to socio-emotional development over time and parents’ influences on these developments. You will also be invited to come up with your own unique research questions.

Your role will be to preregister forthcoming publications, analyse existing longitudinal and ecological momentary assessment (EMA) data of adolescents and their parents, and write and publish scientific papers. You will be working in a team from the Developmental Psychopathology group of the Behavioural Science Institute (BSI).

Profile

• You should have or shortly expect to obtain a doctoral degree in developmental psychopathology or a related field (psychology, health sciences, sociology).
• You have an affinity for studying the target group of adolescents, socio-emotional problems and social environments.
• You have experience analysing longitudinal and multilevel data and writing analytic codes in R or Mplus.
• You have the ability to work in a structured and organised manner, including good time-management skills.
• You have excellent interpersonal skills, and the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• You have experience with preregistering publications.

We are

The Behavioural Science Institute (BSI) is an interdisciplinary research institute where fundamental, applied and translational research takes place with the aim of understanding important societal issues and contributing to their solutions. BSI is one of the three research institutes in the Faculty of Social Sciences at Radboud University. Our researchers collaborate across the boundaries of psychology, communication science, and pedagogical and educational science. Our mission for the upcoming years is to join forces in interdisciplinary research on the theme ’Empowering the Young’. We study the challenges that young people face in our current society and contribute to their empowerment.

BSI performs high-quality research with scientific and societal impact. To foster this, the institute provides excellent research facilities and has strong collaborations with non-academic partners. Moreover, BSI is known for its successful graduate school and strong dedication to open science and team science. We stand for a warm, inclusive and cooperative research environment in which our staff are well-supported in a work culture promoting collaboration and respect.

The Department of Developmental Psychopathology conducts fundamental and applied research on the development of psychopathology and well-being from infancy to early adulthood, focusing on family studies and social interactions. Our research focuses on individual, family, parental, and peer factors. Most of our studies involve longitudinal designs, enabling us to examine development from micro-level to macro-level scales (days to years). Moreover, we find it essential that our work impacts society. Therefore, we collaborate closely with several youth care institutions, police, municipalities, juvenile prisoners, and addiction care facilities.

Radboud University

At Radboud University, we aim to make an impact through our work. We achieve this by conducting groundbreaking research, providing high-quality education, offering excellent support, and fostering collaborations within and outside the university. In doing so, we contribute indispensably to a healthy, free world with equal opportunities for all. To accomplish this, we need even more colleagues who, based on their expertise, are willing to search for answers. We advocate for an inclusive community and welcome employees with diverse backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives. Will you also contribute to making the world a little better? You have a part to play.