PhD position: It takes two: Studying parent-adolescent interactions as dyadic, dynamic, and micro-level processes (0.8-1.0 FTE)

The department of Youth and Family has a job opening for a PhD candidate, interested in dyadic interaction processes within the family setting. Adolescence can be challenging for families, as adolescents’ urge for autonomy drives changes towards more egalitarian parent-child relationships. This often results in more conflict and less closeness. Although parent-child relationships are important for adolescents’ psychosocial functioning, we know little on how parent-adolescent interactions unfold in real time and how these real-time processes relate to psychosocial functioning. Therefore, you will examine parent-adolescent dynamics on a micro-level, its associations with macro-level (changes in) relationship quality and adolescent adjustment, and potential moderators. Unravelling which characteristics of parent-adolescent interactions are most beneficial, for whom, and under what circumstances, can help navigating family challenges during adolescence.
You will use innovative observational methods and state-of-the-art statistical analyses to gain a better understanding of the dyadic dynamics of parent-adolescent interactions. By using both observational and survey data, you can examine parent-adolescent interaction patterns on different timescales (i.e., moment-to-moment and 1 to 2 years). Moreover, by coupling micro-level interactions with long-term processes and psychosocial outcomes, you will test the assumption that real-time interactions are the proximal engines of more stabilized and long-term relationships, and shape individual psychosocial functioning, as described in various theories. You will use several existing datasets with videotaped interactions between parents and adolescents discussing a difficult topic. Some of the data have already been coded, but you will contribute to coding the remainder of the videos (with the help of student assistants) to acquire hands-on experience with processing observational data using various coding systems. There is also a possibility to develop new coding schemes for the data.

We are looking for an enthusiastic colleague (m/f/x) who meets the requirements below:

• a (research) master’s degree in Pedagogical Sciences or related fields;
• strong methodological and statistical skills;
• affinity (and preferably experience) with observational methods;
• excellent verbal and written communication skills in English;
• good command of the Dutch language, as all video material is in Dutch;
• a motivated and collaborative team member, who is communicative and open for collaboration across scientific fields.

We offer:

• a position (0.8 – 1.0 FTE) for 1 year, with an extension to a total of four years upon successful assessment;
• a full-time gross salary ranging from €2,770 to €3,539 in scale P;
• 8% holiday bonus and 8.3% end-of-year bonus;
• a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave, and flexible employment conditions based on the Collective Labour Agreement Dutch Universities.

In addition to the employment conditions from the CAO for Dutch Universities, Utrecht University has a number of its own arrangements. These include agreements on professional development , leave arrangements, sports and cultural schemes and you get discounts on software and other IT products. We also give you the opportunity to expand your terms of employment through the Employment Conditions Selection Model. This is how we encourage you to grow. For more information, please visit working at Utrecht University .

A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University, the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major strategic themes . Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Pathways to Sustainability. Sharing science, shaping tomorrow .
The Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences is one of the leading faculties in Europe providing research and academic teaching in cultural anthropology, educational sciences, interdisciplinary social science, pedagogical sciences, psychology, and sociology. Almost 7,000 students are enrolled in a broad range of undergraduate and graduate programmes. The Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences has some 1,100 faculty and staff members, all providing their individual contribution to the training and education of young talent and to the research into and finding solutions for scientific and societal issues. 
The faculty strives for diversity among its employees and students and is committed to creating a safe and inclusive environment for everyone, as can be read in Utrecht University's Equality, Diversity and Inclusion policy.
The faculty attaches great importance to the fact that its employees can be widely deployed in the university organisation, now and in the future, to further professionalise the support of education and research. To encourage this, every employee is given the time and facilities – for example in the form of training – at some point in their career to participate in projects or work in other departments. Characteristics that the faculty considers important are involvement, the ability to collaborate and flexibility.
The faculty is located at Utrecht Science Park near the historical city centre of Utrecht.

For more information about this position and the research proposal, please contact dr. Monika Donker ([email protected] ) and/or dr. Rianne van Dijk ([email protected] ).

As Utrecht University, we want to be a home for everyone. We value staff with diverse backgrounds, perspectives and identities, including cultural, religious or ethnic background, gender, sexual orientation, disability or age. We strive to create a safe and inclusive environment in which everyone can flourish and contribute.
To apply, please send your curriculum vitae, a letter of motivation, the contact details of two professional references, and your master thesis via the ‘apply now’ button.
The first round of interviews takes place in the beginning of February.
Our preferred starting date is between 1 March and 1 June 2024.