PhD in Psychology, Psychiatry, and Neuroscience: Gold Standard ESM for Amotivation in Youth with Psychosis KU Leuven in Belgium

KU Leuven’s Center for Contextual Psychiatry (CCP) and CMPO invite applications for a full-time PhD position focused on developing gold-standard Experience Sampling Method (ESM) items to assess amotivation, a core negative symptom of psychosis, in youth. This interdisciplinary project combines advanced psychometrics and qualitative methods to create robust, real-time measures supporting digital interventions for negative symptoms of psychosis. The successful candidate will join internationally recognized research teams and participate in the Methusalem program, which focuses on long-term research into negative symptoms of psychosis.

The doctoral student will apply quantitative methods such as time series and multilevel modeling to analyze ESM data, evaluate the validity and psychometric properties of ESM items using mixed methods, and develop novel quantitative approaches for item functioning in ecological momentary interventions. Responsibilities also include writing research papers for international peer-reviewed journals and collaborating across three research lines: ESM methodology, person-environment interactions in psychosis, and digital mobile mental health interventions.

Applicants must have a Master’s degree in psychology, mental health, psychiatry, or a related discipline, with strong quantitative/statistical skills and research experience in mental health, psychosis, or clinical research. Excellent English proficiency (C1) is required. Preferred qualifications include experience with ESM, familiarity with psychometrics, mixed methods, and open science practices.

The position offers a competitive salary by international standards, an initial one-year contract renewable up to four years, and opportunities to publish in high-impact journals and gain expertise in ESM and digital mental health. The start date is flexible but must be no later than July 1, 2026. Application materials include a cover letter, CV, diploma and transcripts, and contact details of at least two references. Applications should be submitted via the KU Leuven job portal, referencing BAP-2026-25. For more information, contact Prof. ginette lafit or Prof. Inez Myin-Germeys.