Join the Center for Contextual Psychiatry (CCP) and the Center for Clinical Psychiatry (CCliPs) at KU Leuven, one of Europe's most renowned research universities. This PhD position is part of the Methusalem program, a large-scale, innovative research initiative dedicated to developing new interventions for negative symptoms of psychosis. The CCP, led by Prof. Inez Myin-Germeys, is internationally recognized for its expertise in experimental studies and clinical trials using Experience Sampling Methodology in mental health research. CCliPs, headed by Prof. Ruud van Winkel, focuses on the socioenvirome of psychosis, utilizing Virtual Reality to study the impact of childhood trauma and minority stress on youth mental health. As a PhD student, you will be responsible for the qualitative and participatory aspects of the program, investigating how young people experience amotivation—a core negative symptom of psychosis—and what they expect from treatment. Your research will involve focus groups, in-depth interviews, and thematic analysis to gain a nuanced understanding of amotivation. A key responsibility will be establishing and coordinating a Youth Advisory Board, ensuring meaningful involvement of young people throughout the project. You will collaborate with other PhD students and research assistants, conducting experimental studies using Experience Sampling Methodology and Virtual Reality to uncover psychological mechanisms underlying amotivation. Insights from both qualitative and quantitative work will inform the development of novel interventions. The position offers a one-year contract, renewable for three additional years after a positive evaluation. Salaries are competitive by international standards, and the starting date is flexible but no later than July 1, 2026. The research environment is dynamic and interdisciplinary, bringing together clinical psychologists, experimental psychologists, psychiatrists, and statisticians. KU Leuven is committed to diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunity, fostering a respectful and socially safe environment for all. Applicants must be a resident in psychiatry or hold a master’s degree in psychology or a related field (Mental Health, Psychiatry, Social/Health Sciences) with demonstrated research interest. Experience with qualitative research is required, and previous experience with experience sampling methodology and literature on psychosis or youth mental health is a plus. Good written and oral command of Dutch and English (C1 proficiency level) is necessary. Application materials include a cover letter, CV, diploma and transcripts, contact details of at least two reference persons, and other relevant information such as a list of publications if applicable. Interviews will be held on March 30 and April 2, 2026. For more information, contact Prof. Inez Myin-Germeys or Prof. Ruud van Winkel by email. Apply via the KU Leuven job portal by March 16, 2026. The university values open dialogue and differences in perspective, and does not accept any form of discrimination. For questions about accessibility or support, assistance is available via the provided email addresses.

KU Leuven, Department of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, Belgium, is offering a fully funded PhD position focused on understanding amotivation in young people with psychosis, with a special emphasis on approach–avoidance conflicts. The project investigates how amotivation develops and persists in youth with early psychosis, examining the roles of approach-avoidance conflicts, fear, and reward learning. Research methods include Virtual Reality, Experience Sampling Method (ESM), and experimental tasks, with opportunities to recruit patients and develop new assessment tools for motivational processes. This position is part of a large-scale Methusalem research program aimed at developing interventions for negative symptoms in psychosis. The successful candidate will join an interdisciplinary team of psychologists, psychiatrists, and statisticians, and will benefit from a collaborative and supportive research environment. Applicants should have a Master’s degree in Psychology, Mental Health, Psychiatry, or Social/Health Sciences, or be a resident in psychiatry. A strong research interest in psychosis, youth mental health, or fear/reward learning paradigms is essential. Experience with ESM or longitudinal study designs is advantageous. Proficiency in Dutch and English at C1 level is required. The application package should include a motivation letter, CV, diplomas and transcripts (BSc & MSc), and contact details of at least two references. A list of publications is optional. The position offers a competitive PhD salary, with an initial 1-year contract renewable for up to 4 years after evaluation. The start date is flexible but must be no later than 1 July 2026. The application deadline is 16 March 2026. For more information or to apply, visit the KU Leuven Jobsite or contact Prof. Ruud van Winkel or Prof. Inez Myin-Germeys by email.

Join the interdisciplinary team at the Center for Clinical Psychiatry (CCliPs) and the Center for Contextual Psychiatry (CCP) at KU Leuven, one of Europe’s leading research universities. This PhD position is embedded within the Department of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, and is part of the ambitious Methusalem program, a large-scale initiative dedicated to developing new interventions for negative symptoms of psychosis. CCliPs, led by Prof. Ruud van Winkel, investigates the socio-envirome of psychosis, utilizing Virtual Reality, epidemiology, and experimental tasks to explore factors such as childhood trauma and minority stress in youth mental health. CCP, headed by Prof. Inez Myin-Germeys, is internationally recognized for its expertise in experimental studies and clinical trials, particularly using Experience Sampling Methodology in mental health research. The centers foster a vibrant, collaborative environment with 25 researchers from diverse backgrounds. The project focuses on understanding amotivation—a core negative symptom of psychosis—in young people with early psychosis. You will set up a longitudinal study to examine how social factors contribute to the emergence and persistence of amotivation, and how approach–avoidance conflicts play a role. Responsibilities include recruiting patients, developing new tasks using Virtual Reality, and experimental manipulation of fear and reward learning. The research aims to inform the development of novel interventions for negative symptoms, which are among the most challenging aspects of psychiatric care. You will collaborate closely with other PhD students and research assistants, contributing to both qualitative and quantitative research. The team includes clinical psychologists, experimental psychologists, psychiatrists, and statisticians, offering a dynamic and scientifically excellent environment. Applicants should be residents in psychiatry or hold a master’s degree in psychology or a related field (Mental Health, Psychiatry, Social/Health Sciences), with demonstrated research interest. Experience with fear/reward learning paradigms, experience sampling methods, and literature on psychosis or youth mental health is advantageous. Proficiency in Dutch and English (C1 level) is required. The position offers a one-year contract, renewable for three additional years after positive evaluation. PhD student salaries are competitive by international standards. The starting date is flexible, but no later than July 1, 2026. Interviews will be held on March 30 and April 2. KU Leuven is committed to diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunity, fostering a respectful and socially safe environment. For accessibility or support questions, contact the provided email addresses. To apply, use the KU Leuven job portal and submit a cover letter, CV, diploma and transcripts, contact details of at least two reference persons, and any additional relevant information such as publications. For more information, contact Prof. Ruud van Winkel or Prof. Inez Myin-Germeys.

Join the Center for Contextual Psychiatry (CCP) and the Center for Clinical Psychiatry (CCliPs) at KU Leuven, two leading research centers within the Department of Neurosciences at the School of Medicine. CCP, headed by Prof. Inez Myin-Germeys, is internationally recognized for its expertise in experimental studies and clinical trials using Experience Sampling Methodology (ESM) in mental health research. CCliPs, led by Prof. Ruud van Winkel, investigates the socioenvirome of psychosis, utilizing Virtual Reality (VR) to study the impact of childhood trauma and minority stress on youth mental health. This postdoctoral position is part of the Methusalem program, a large-scale, ambitious research initiative dedicated to developing new interventions for negative symptoms of psychosis. As a senior researcher, you will play a pivotal role in shaping future mental health care by developing novel treatments for negative symptoms (NS), which are among the most challenging aspects of psychiatric care. The project uniquely integrates VR and ESM to examine approach-avoidance behavior as a central mechanism underlying amotivation, a core negative symptom of psychosis. Qualitative research and participatory methods are also employed, ensuring that individuals with lived experience inform treatment development. A key innovation is the integration of Ecological Momentary Interventions (EMIs) with VR, creating personalized, context-sensitive treatments for negative symptoms. Your responsibilities will include supervising and coordinating the project across multiple work packages (VR, ESM, EMI, qualitative research), co-supervising PhD students and research assistants, collaborating with a statistical postdoc, ensuring methodological rigor, contributing to high-impact publications, and preparing for clinical trials. Applicants must hold a PhD in psychology, psychiatry, cognitive science, or a related field, with a strong background in experimental design, clinical research, or digital mental health. Experience with VR, ESM, or intervention development is highly desirable, and knowledge of qualitative research is an asset. Excellent organizational and supervisory skills, a strong publication record, and proficiency in English (C1 level) are required; Dutch is an asset. The position offers a full-time postdoctoral contract in a world-class research environment, with an initial one-year contract and the possibility of extension for two additional years based on performance. The salary is competitive according to KU Leuven standards. The starting date is flexible, but no later than July 1, 2026. Interviews will be held on March 30 and April 2. KU Leuven is committed to diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunity, and provides support for accessibility and other needs. To apply, submit a cover letter, CV, diploma and transcripts, and contact details of at least two reference persons via the KU Leuven job portal. For further information, contact Prof. Inez Myin-Germeys or Prof. Ruud van Winkel by email.