Postdoc Psychophysiological markers of societal changes (1.0 FTE)

8 May 2023
Job Information

Organisation/Company

Utrecht University

Research Field

Cultural studies

Researcher Profile

Recognised Researcher (R2)

Country

Netherlands

Application Deadline

29 May 2023 - 22:00 (UTC)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Not Applicable

Hours Per Week

38.0

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

The organisational behaviour group at Utrecht University is looking for a postdoctoral researcher to develop a mobile psychophysiological paradigm for studying societal changes in field settings (e.g., in companies, at festivals, market squares, community centers, schools, etc.). The position is part of a broader NWO-Open Competition project on 'A threat and coping perspective on social change', involving researchers from Utrecht University (PhD project on diversity/ sustainability) and Leiden University (PhD project on migration). In this project we aim to develop a psychophysiological threat-and-coping model of social change. Linking social, psychological, and physiological levels of analysis, the aim with the model is to describe and explain the interplay between lower-level physiological responses and higher-level information processing, to understand how people form opinions about social change. We use the biopsychosocial model of challenge and threat, which makes it possible to discern at a physiological level specific motivational states of challenge and threat. We link these more maladaptive (threat) and benign (challenge) stress responses to the development of attitudes about social change in relation to a variety of societally relevant topics (e.g., migration, shifting gender roles, globalization, crises like Covid-19, social movements like #BLM). We furthermore aim to test the model both in more controlled lab experiments as well as field studies, to optimize both internal and external validity, and to more effectively inform interventions for overly defensive responses to inevitable societal changes.

For the field studies in the project we now aim to develop a set-up involving a combination of physiological measures, like impedance cardiography, electrocardiography, blood pressure, and potentially also respiration and skin temperature to differentiate physiological markers of 'challenge' and 'threat'. We aim for a set-up that is easily transportable and relatively non-invasive and easy to use, for example by avoiding overly complex electrode configurations, or applying electrodes under clothing. We furthermore aim to apply this set-up in field studies at a diversity of locations, potentially also making use of a 'test van'.

In the most general sense, the tasks of the postdoc will be two-fold: first, developing and validating a more easy-to-use and less-invasive Threat-Challenge set-up in a lab experiment, comparing it to our standard lab set-up; second, applying it in (at least) two field studies with the two PhD candidates on the project on migration, diversity, and sustainability. The postdoc will be lead author on the validation paper and co-author on the papers about the field studies. The postdoc might also develop an additional field study on a topic of their choice within the broader project. Finally, the postdoc will collaborate with other members of the team in leading workshops and demonstrations in the context of the broader project.

Requirements
Specific Requirements

We are looking for someone with

• a finished PhD dissertation in (social) psychology, psychophysiology, or neuroscience;
• experience with psychophysiological measurements, ideally with cardiovascular measures (ECG, ICG, blood pressure);
• affinity with the topic of social change, e.g., in the context of migration, diversity, or sustainability;
• experience with psychophysiological data scoring and analysis (e.g., in Matlab, r);
• experience with programming experiments (e.g., in Python);
• a good ability to work independently and in a team;
• a good command of the Dutch and English language ;
• good academic writing skills;
• publications in relevant international peer-reviewed journals;
• excellent communicative and organizational skills;
• a certain assertiveness, extraversion and open-mindedness in engaging with external parties and research participants in field settings.

Additional Information
Benefits

We offer a temporary position (1.0 FTE) for one year in an international working environment. After positive evaluation, this can be turned into a renewal of one year. The gross salary - depending on previous qualifications and experience - ranges between € 2,960, and € 4,670 (scale 10 according to the Collective Labour Agreement Dutch Universities) per month for a full-time employment. Salaries are supplemented with a holiday bonus of 8% and a year-end bonus of 8.3% per year.

In addition, Utrecht University offers excellent secondary conditions , including including an attractive retirement scheme, professional development , (partly paid) parental leave, sports and flexible employment conditions (multiple choice model). For more information, please visit working at Utrecht University .

Selection process

Everyone deserves to feel at home at our university. We welcome employees with a wide variety of backgrounds and perspectives. Utrecht University wants to make a visible contribution to an inclusive university community, to a just society, and equal rights and equal opportunities for all.

To apply, please send your curriculum vitae, including a letter of motivation, via the ‘apply’ button.

If you know someone who is suitable for this position, please share the vacancy.

Please note that international candidates that need a visa/work permit for the Netherlands require at least four months processing time after selection and acceptance. Our International Service Desk (ISD) can answer your questions about living in the Netherlands as international staff . Finding appropriate housing in or near Utrecht is your own responsibility, but the ISD may be able to advise you therewith. In case of general questions about working and living in The Netherlands, please consult the Dutch Mobility Portal.

The first round of interviews takes place in June 2023

Our preferred start date is 1 September 2023.

Additional comments

For more information about this position, please contact Professor Daan Scheepers (professor of psychophysiology) at [email protected] .

Website for additional job details

https://www.academictransfer.com/327476/

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Utrecht University

Country

Netherlands

City

Utrecht

Postal Code

3584 CS

Street

Heidelberglaan 1

Where to apply

Website

https://www.academictransfer.com/327476/postdoc-psychophysiological-markers-of-…

Contact

City

Utrecht

Website

http://www.uu.nl/

Street

Domplein 29

Postal Code

3512 JE

STATUS: EXPIRED