Fully Funded PhD Positions in Behavioural Science: Empowering the Young at Radboud University Radboud University in Netherlands

Radboud University is offering four fully funded PhD positions at the Behavioural Science Institute (BSI) Graduate School in the theme “Empowering the Young”. The positions focus on research that helps children, adolescents, and young adults thrive by improving well-being, education, mental health, and life outcomes.

The four research tracks are: Behaviour Change & Well-Being, Experimental Psychopathology & Treatment, Learning, Education & Development, and Work, Health & Performance. Applicants may indicate a maximum of two preferred tracks when applying.

These PhD roles are research-intensive and include work on real societal issues affecting youth, the use of strong quantitative and behavioural science methods, publication of papers, conference presentations, and a 10% teaching task with the opportunity to build a teaching portfolio for the University Teaching Qualification (UTQ).

Eligibility highlights include a (Research) Master’s degree in Behavioural Science, Psychology, Pedagogical Sciences, Educational Sciences, or Communication Science. Applicants should have strong analytical, methodological, and statistical skills, a clear interest in young people and societal impact, and good written and spoken English. No Dutch is required.

The positions are based at Radboud University in Nijmegen, Netherlands. The appointment starts with an initial 18-month contract and may be extended to a total of 4 years (1.0 FTE) or 5 years (0.8 FTE). The salary starts at €3,059 gross per month and rises to €3,881 from the fourth year onwards, plus holiday allowance, end-of-year bonus, and additional leave benefits.

The application deadline is 3 May 2026. Applicants should apply through the university portal and address the letter to Prof. Dr. Debby Beckers. The vacancy page notes that interviews will take place in May and that the preferred start date is 1 September, no later than 1 November.