Debby Beckers

Radboud University’s Behavioural Science Institute (BSI) Graduate School is recruiting for PhD positions under the theme Empowering the Young . One of the highlighted projects is AI at Work: The Psychological Antecedents and Effects of GenAI Use in Early-Career Employees , linked to the Work, Health and Performance programme and associated with Technology at work and The Human Factor in New Technologies . The broader BSI call offers four PhD positions across behavioural science topics: Behaviour Change and Well-Being , Experimental Psychopathology and Treatment , Learning, Education, and Development , and Work, Health and Performance . The institute emphasizes interdisciplinary research, open science, team science, and societal impact. The advertised project is especially relevant for students interested in psychology , computer science , information technology , business/organizational studies , and the study of generative AI in the workplace . 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, good English for scientific publishing, and the ability to work both independently and in a team. The role includes a 10% teaching task and the opportunity to work on a teaching portfolio for the University Teaching Qualification (UTQ). Funding is provided as a PhD employment contract at Radboud University. The initial appointment is for 18 months , with extension after evaluation to a 4-year full-time contract or 5-year 0.8 FTE contract . Salary starts at €3,059 gross per month and increases to €3,881 from the fourth year onwards, plus holiday allowance, end-of-year bonus, leave days, and pension benefits. The application deadline is 3 May 2026 . Applicants must apply through the university’s application system and address the letter to Prof. Dr. Debby Beckers . Interviews are expected in May, and the preferred start date is 1 September (no later than 1 November ).

The Behavioural Science Institute (BSI) Graduate School at Radboud University is offering four PhD positions focused on the theme 'Empowering the Young.' These positions are part of an interdisciplinary research environment within the Faculty of Social Sciences, where fundamental, applied, and translational research is conducted to address important societal issues and contribute to their solutions. The BSI is renowned for its commitment to open science, team science, and a collaborative, inclusive research culture. The research theme 'Empowering the Young' encompasses a broad spectrum of young people, including infants, children, adolescents, students, early-career workers, and young parents. The aim is to study the challenges faced by young people and contribute to their empowerment and well-being by providing knowledge, tools, and confidence to shape their future. The four BSI programmes offering PhD positions are: Behaviour Change and Well-Being (BCW), Experimental Psychopathology and Treatment (EPT), Learning, Education, and Development (LED), and Work, Health and Performance (WHP). PhD candidates will have a teaching task of 10% and the opportunity to develop their teaching portfolio for the University Teaching Qualification (UTQ). The positions offer an initial contract of 18 months, with the possibility of extension to a total of 4 or 5 years depending on FTE. The starting salary is €3,059 gross per month, increasing to €3,881 in the fourth year, with additional benefits including an 8% holiday allowance, 8.3% end-of-year bonus, extra days off, flexible working hours, and a pension plan. Employees also receive discounts on sports and cultural activities and can tailor their employment conditions for optimal work-life balance. Applicants must hold a (Research) Master's degree in Behavioural Science, Psychology, Pedagogical Sciences, Educational Sciences, or Communication Science. Strong analytical, methodological, and statistical skills are required, along with proficiency in English for scientific publishing. Candidates should demonstrate flexibility, creativity, teamwork, independence, adaptability in communication, proactivity, solution-orientation, resilience, and openness to feedback. The BSI provides excellent research facilities and fosters collaborations with non-academic partners. The Faculty of Social Sciences is dedicated to studying human behaviour, education, communication, society, and culture, offering education to 6,000 students and employing 700 staff. Research is carried out within three institutes: the Donders Centre for Cognition, the Behavioural Science Institute, and Radboud Social Cultural Research. Applications must be submitted online via the provided link, addressed to Prof. Dr. Debby Beckers. Candidates should indicate which (max. 2) PhD positions appeal to them most and include all required documents as specified in the application form. Interviews will take place in May, with employment preferably starting on 1 September, but no later than 1 November 2026. This is an excellent opportunity for aspiring behavioural scientists to join a vibrant, interdisciplinary research community and contribute to impactful research on youth empowerment.

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 .