Postdoctoral researcher studying the impostor phenomenon

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU), Netherlands

Updated: 10 days ago
Deadline: 1 Oct 2026 - 21:59 (UTC)

5 Sep 2026
Job Information
Organisation/Company

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU)
Research Field

Psychological sciences » Psychology
Researcher Profile

Recognised Researcher (R2)
Application Deadline

1 Oct 2026 - 21:59 (UTC)
Country

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

No

Offer Description

The ERC Starting Grant project IMPOSTOR: From Impostor Syndrome to Impostor System investigates how workplace contexts shape experiences of impostorism and how these experiences affect career development. Grounded in Social Identity Theory, the project aims to transform the way researchers, organizations, and society understand the impostor phenomenon.
The project consists of three work packages. As a postdoctoral researcher, you will be responsible for the first workpackage, which focuses on developing and validating a novel state-based conceptualization of impostorism. This work package provides the theoretical and methodological foundation for the subsequent project stages, which examine how organizational systems may shape impostor experiences and their consequences.
Start date: November 1st (or as soon as possible thereafter)
In close collaboration with Dr. Sanne Feenstra, within the Organizational Psychology section, you will:

  • develop a validated measure of State-Based Impostorism (SB-IP)
  • conduct scale development studies, including item generation, factor analyses, and validation research
  • design and test an innovative experimental manipulation of impostorism
  • recruit and manage participant samples across multiple countries and occupational groups
  • analyse quantitative datasets
  • publish findings in leading international journals
  • present research at national and international conferences
  • contribute to open science practices, including preregistration and open data

Where to apply
Website
https://www.academictransfer.com/en/jobs/363716/postdoctoral-researcher-studyin…

Requirements
Specific Requirements

We are seeking an ambitious and highly motivated researcher with:

  • a PhD in Organizational Psychology, Social Psychology, Work & Organizational Psychology, Management, or a related discipline
  • strong expertise in quantitative research methods and statistics
  • experience with scale development, psychometrics, and/or experimental research
  • demonstrated publication potential through peer-reviewed scientific publications
  • a strong interest in topics such as social identity, workplace diversity, leadership, and/or the impostor phenomenon
  • excellent written and spoken English
  • the ability to work independently while also thriving in a collaborative research environment


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.


Additional Information
Benefits

We offer you:

  • a salary of minimum € 3.706,00 (Scale 10) and maximum € 5.760,00 (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 of at least 0.8 FTE. Your employment contract will initially last 1 year. Afterwards, the possibility of expansion with 1 year exists based on satisfactory performance


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
  • the possibility to work partly from home
  • solid pension scheme (ABP)
  • a wide range of sports facilities which staff may use at a modest charge

Additional comments

Are you interested in this position and do you believe that your experience will contribute to the further development of this project? In that case, we encourage you to submit your application, including:

  • cover letter and CV (with among other things a list of current publications, papers in review, and working papers)
  • research statement that explains how your work and expertise are relevant to this project
  • up to two publications or manuscripts in progress


Submitting a diploma, a reference check, and a standardized assessment are part of the application process.
Applications received by e-mail will not be considered.
Acquisition in response to this advertisement is not appreciated.


Website for additional job details

https://www.academictransfer.com/363716/

Work Location(s)
Number of offers available
1
Company/Institute
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Country
Netherlands
City
Amsterdam
Postal Code
1081BT
Street
Van der Boechorststraat 7

Contact
City

Amsterdam
Website

http://www.vu.nl/
Street

De Boelelaan 1105
Postal Code

1081 HV

STATUS: EXPIRED

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