PhD Candidate on Attention and Technology Use (Full-Time, 4 Years)

The Department of Social Psychology at Tilburg University is offering two fully funded, four-year PhD positions focused on the topic of attention and technology use. These positions are part of the ERC Starting Grant project “Testing the Technology Related Attention Decline Hypothesis,” led by Assistant Professor Matti Vuorre. The project aims to investigate whether and how cognitive abilities related to attention have changed over recent decades of intensive internet technology adoption, and to determine the potential effects of digital technologies on users’ attentive abilities. Research will involve large-scale secondary data analyses of existing cognitive psychology datasets, as well as new longitudinal studies using experiments, surveys, and digital trace data, all supported by advanced statistical modeling. PhD candidates will be based in the Department of Social Psychology at Tilburg University and supervised by a team including Matti Vuorre (Tilburg University), Douglas Parry (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam), and Janneke Oostrom (Tilburg University). The candidates will lead their own studies and collaborate on other project components, including collating and analyzing cognitive psychology datasets, designing and managing longitudinal studies, and developing tools for experiments, surveys, and digital trace data collection. Responsibilities include writing a PhD thesis, planning and executing data collection, setting up experiments and surveys, conducting advanced data analyses, preparing scholarly manuscripts, implementing open science practices, presenting at conferences, and contributing to teaching and supervision (up to 20% of time). Applicants should have a strong background in psychology or a related field, with a master’s or research master’s degree (or be close to completion). Essential skills include expertise in cognitive and experimental psychology, statistical modeling, data science, open science, quantitative research, experimental and survey design, data analysis (e.g., meta-analysis, simulation studies, multilevel/mathematical modeling), proficiency in R or Python, project management, and strong academic English writing. Experience in small-scale education (e.g., supervising bachelor theses) is also valued. The position offers a competitive salary starting at €3,059 gross per month in the first year, rising to €3,881 in the fourth year, plus vacation pay, year-end bonus, over 8 weeks of vacation, hybrid working allowances, sustainable commuting reimbursement, pension, conference and training budget, moving allowance (subject to conditions), and a potential 30% tax-free allowance for international employees. The vibrant Tilburg University campus provides a supportive and inclusive environment, with opportunities for personal and professional development. The application deadline is December 1, 2025, with interviews in the following month and a project start date on or after March 1, 2026. For more information, contact Matti Vuorre at [email protected].