Utrecht University
5 days ago
PhD in Freeze-Fight-Flight Dynamics in Mental Health Care Utrecht University in Netherlands
Degree Level
PhD
Field of study
Clinical Psychology
Funding
PhD position for 1 year initially, with extension to a total of four and a half years upon successful assessment. Full-time salary is between €3,204 and €4,051 gross per month (salary scale P under the CAO NU), plus 8% holiday pay, 8.3% year-end bonus, pension scheme, partially paid parental leave, and flexible employment terms.
Deadline
Sep 27, 2026
Country
Netherlands
University
Utrecht University

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About this position
Utrecht University is advertising a PhD position in Freeze-Fight-Flight Dynamics in Mental Health Care within the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Department of Psychology. The project focuses on how patients with personality disorders move between defensive reactions such as fight, flight, and freeze in daily life and during treatment, with an emphasis on the often-overlooked freeze response and its relation to recovery in mental health care.
The PhD candidate will design studies, coordinate data collection at Altrecht Center for Personality Disorders, analyse longitudinal and intensive longitudinal EMA data, collaborate with therapists and patients in focus groups, test proof-of-principle freeze-targeted interventions, and contribute to state-specific clinical guidelines and scientific publications. The role also includes about 10% teaching in the Department of Clinical Psychology.
Relevant academic areas include clinical psychology, mental health care, longitudinal data analysis, statistics, and psychotherapy research. Applicants should have a (Research) Master’s level diploma in Clinical Psychology or a related field, strong English and writing skills, interest in longitudinal or intensive longitudinal data, familiarity with statistical software such as R, and ideally experience with innovative methods such as Hidden Markov Models.
The position is based at Utrecht University in the Netherlands. The appointment starts with a 1-year contract and may be extended to a total of 4.5 years upon successful assessment. Salary is listed at €3,204–€4,051 gross per month for full-time work, plus holiday pay, year-end bonus, pension, and other employment benefits.
Application deadline: 27 September 2026. The preferred start date is 1 November 2026. Apply through the university’s online application button and upload a CV and motivation letter. For questions about the position, contact dr. Muriel Hagenaars at [email protected].
Funding details
PhD position for 1 year initially, with extension to a total of four and a half years upon successful assessment. Full-time salary is between €3,204 and €4,051 gross per month (salary scale P under the CAO NU), plus 8% holiday pay, 8.3% year-end bonus, pension scheme, partially paid parental leave, and flexible employment terms.
What's required
A (Research) Master level diploma in Clinical Psychology or a related education; excellent English and good writing skills; interest in longitudinal or intensive longitudinal data; interest in innovative statistical methods such as Hidden Markov Models; experience with statistical software such as R; affinity with clinical populations. Strongly preferred are ambition for high-quality research, ability to work at the interface of science and clinical practice, good social and organisational skills, experience in coordinating data collection, and a team-player mentality for interdisciplinary collaboration.
How to apply
Apply via the ‘apply now’ button on the Utrecht University job page. Submit your curriculum vitae and a letter of motivation. International candidates needing a visa/work permit should allow at least four months processing time after selection and acceptance.
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