University of Maastricht
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PhD in Reducing Avoidance by Altering Threat Imagery in Panic Disorder Maastricht University in Netherlands
Degree Level
PhD
Field of study
Computer Science
Funding
PhD employment at Maastricht University with a 12-month contract (0.8 FTE) and prospect of a 4-year extension based on mutual satisfaction. Gross monthly salary is €3,204–€4,051 based on full-time employment of 38 hours per week, plus 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% year-end bonus. Includes 29 vacation days (full-time basis), additional days off, pension via ABP, company fitness schemes, and access to university sports facilities.
Deadline
Oct 4, 2026
Country
Netherlands
University
University of Maastricht

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About this position
Maastricht University is advertising a PhD position on reducing avoidance by altering threat imagery in panic disorder. The project sits at the intersection of psychology, clinical psychology, anxiety disorders, mental imagery, experimental psychopathology, statistics, and computational modelling.
The research will investigate whether imagery rescripting can reduce avoidance in panic disorder by targeting distressing flashbacks and flashforwards linked to aversive memories. The PhD candidate will join an interdisciplinary team and work across Maastricht University’s Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Mondriaan Mental Health Center, and Utrecht University (Clinical Psychology), with additional collaboration from experts at Oxford University and KU Leuven.
Key tasks include designing and running qualitative and quantitative studies using a CO2 inhalation procedure, implementing findings in a single-case experimental design (SCED), testing panic-prone participants and participants with panic disorder, analyzing data with advanced statistical and computational methods, and disseminating results through publications and conference presentations. The project also emphasizes open science and methodological rigor.
Eligibility highlights: applicants should have a research master’s degree in psychology, health sciences, biomedical sciences, neuroscience, or a related field; experience with experimental research; strong interest in clinical and experimental work on anxiety, learning, and mental imagery; and good English communication skills. Programming and quantitative analysis experience are important, and Dutch is a strong advantage.
Funding and conditions: this is a paid PhD employment position with a 12-month contract (0.8 FTE) and the prospect of a 4-year extension. Salary is listed at €3,204–€4,051 per month (full-time equivalent), plus holiday allowance and year-end bonus.
Deadline: 4 October 2026. Location: Maastricht, Netherlands. How to apply: submit the application via AcademicTransfer and include a CV, motivation letter, academic transcripts, and contact details for at least two referees.
Funding details
PhD employment at Maastricht University with a 12-month contract (0.8 FTE) and prospect of a 4-year extension based on mutual satisfaction. Gross monthly salary is €3,204–€4,051 based on full-time employment of 38 hours per week, plus 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% year-end bonus. Includes 29 vacation days (full-time basis), additional days off, pension via ABP, company fitness schemes, and access to university sports facilities.
What's required
A (research) master’s degree in a relevant field such as psychology, health sciences, biomedical sciences, or neuroscience. Experience with designing and conducting experimental research, including formulating research questions, developing or implementing experimental procedures, and collecting and interpreting data. Strong interest in experimental and clinical research on anxiety-related disorders, learning processes, mental imagery, and related areas. Experience with or affinity for programming and computer-based experiments, plus willingness to develop advanced statistical and quantitative analysis skills. Experience with computational modelling, single-case experimental designs (SCED), repeated-measures data, and/or experimental data analysis is highly desirable. Interest in clinical psychology, clinical populations, and psychological interventions. Excellent English communication skills; Dutch is a strong advantage. Ability to work collaboratively in an interdisciplinary environment.
How to apply
Apply via the application button on the AcademicTransfer vacancy page. Upload a full CV, motivation letter, and academic transcripts, and include contact details for at least two referees. Contact the supervisors for more information before applying if needed.
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