1-year PhD scholarship in Health Psychology: Health goal conflict and facilitation

Project Description:

Multiple healthy lifestyle behaviours (e.g., physical activity, healthy diet, not smoking) are often needed to have an impact on public health and reduce morbidity and mortality rates. Sometimes one healthy lifestyle can give us the confidence to also tackle another one, for example when being more physically active may also encourage us to change to a healthier diet (facilitation). Sometimes, however, these health goals are in conflict, when we feel we may reward ourselves with an unhealthy behaviour (e.g., eating chips) when we have been healthy in another area (e.g., gone for a walk), or just simply because we lack time, resources, or motivation to address multiple healthy lifestyles. This research project aims to assess how healthy lifestyles fit with higher-level personal goals (e.g., caring for others, pro-environmental goals) and how they conflict with or facilitate each other, to provide recommendations for future interventions when aiming to improve multiple healthy lifestyles. The research involves quantitative research (Ecological Momentary Assessment) and focuses specifically on healthy diet and physical activity.

The vacancy involves a 1-year paid fulltime position as a Phd student (seed money), starting 1st October 2022. You will be encouraged and supported to apply for a Phd fellowship (‘bourse’) during this time.

Job Description

• You are involved in the execution of the research project

• You prepare a doctoral thesis in the field of psychology

• You prepare a fellowship application to receive additional PhD funding

• You publish scientific articles related to the project and engage in other types of science communication (e.g., active participation in national or international conferences, workshops, seminars)

• There may be a light teaching load in connection with the broader project