PhD position Model Complexity in Psychology (1.0 FTE)

PhD position Model Complexity in Psychology (1.0 FTE) (222720)

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Job description

Despite theoretical arguments to keep research designs and analysis strategies simple, the reality is that psychological researchers tend to favour complex choices. This PhD project aims to investigate the use and effects of complex research designs in empirical psychological research. What implications does the use of complex designs have on the statistical effects and interpretation of the results? The project consists of four sub-projects:

• First, a literature study in which the frequency of use of complex research designs over time is assessed.
• Second, a simulation study of the differences in results between relatively straightforward approaches and more complex ones.
• Third, a reanalysis of selected published results to investigate whether substantive conclusions would have changed if a simpler design had been chosen.
• Fourth, a survey study which aims to uncover what reasons current psychological researchers have to use relatively complex research designs.

The tasks of the PhD candidate are:

• conduct research that is in line with the objectives and requirements of the project and that results in a dissertation
• organize and execute the data collection, simulations, and analyses for the different studies
• publish the results of the research in international scientific journals
• present the research findings to fellow scientists and collaborate with them
• provide a limited number of educational activities at the Psychology department.

Qualifications

For this position you are expected to:

• have a (Research) Master’s degree in one of the Social Sciences or Applied Statistics (or a related discipline)
• have an affinity with statistical procedures for data analysis
• have experience with programming
• have proficiency with the statistical program
• have a good academic track record
• be interested in writing international publications and a dissertation
• have good academic English writing skills
• have good social and communication skills and are willing to work with other team members
• be enthusiastic about translating scientific insights into practical guidelines and advice
• have demonstrable competences as conceptual capacity, presenting, planning and organizing and monitoring.

Organisation

The University of Groningen is a research university with a global outlook, deeply rooted in Groningen, City of Talent. Quality has had top priority for four hundred years, and with success: the University is currently in or around the top 100 on several influential ranking lists.

Our Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences is a centre of knowledge focusing on individuals and society. We study issues relating to human behaviour, and the relationships between people and society as a whole. This includes the study of how people function under normal circumstances, but also of the problems encountered by individuals or groups, and how to resolve or prevent these. Our Faculty employs about 650 employees. For more information about the Faculty please check the link https://www.rug.nl/gmw/

The PhD position will be in the department of Psychometrics and Statistics. The supervisory team consists of Prof. D. van Ravenzwaaij and Prof. H.A.L. Kiers.

Conditions of employment

We offer you in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities:

• a salary of € 2,541 gross per month in the first year of the appointment, rising to € 3,247 gross per month in the fourth year for a full-time position;
• a holiday allowance of 8% gross annual income an 8.3% end-of-the-year allowance;
• attractive secondary terms of employment;
• the position is classified in accordance with the University Job Classification (UFO) system; the UFO profile is PhD candidate;
• a temporary position of 1.0 FTE for a period of four years. You will first be appointed for a period of 12 months. After a positive evaluation, the contract will be extended for the remaining period.

Intended starting date: 1 January 2023

Application

You may apply for this position until 27 November 11:59pm / before 28 November 2022 Dutch local time (CET) by means of the application form (click on “Apply” below on the advertisement on the university website).

We aim to have the selection interviews in the week of 5 December.

The University of Groningen strives to be a university in which students and staff are respected and feel at home, regardless of differences in background, experiences, perspectives, and identities. We believe that working on our core values of inclusion and equality are a joint responsibility and we are constructively working on creating a socially safe environment. Diversity among students and staff members enriches academic debate and contributes to the quality of our teaching and research. We therefore invite applicants from underrepresented groups in particular to apply. For more information, see also our diversity policy webpage: https://www.rug.nl/(…)rsity-and-inclusion/

Our selection procedure follows the guidelines of the Recruitment code (NVP): https://www.nvp-hrnetwerk.nl/sollicitatiecode/ and European Commission’s European Code of Conduct for recruitment of researchers: https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/charter/code

Unsolicited marketing is not appreciated.

Information

For information you can contact:

• Prof. D. van Ravenzwaaij,
  d.van.ravenzwaaij@rug.nl

Please do not use the e-mail address(es) above for applications.

Additional information

• Research in the department
• Prof. D. van Ravenzwaaij
• Prof. H.A.L. Kiers

Apply