Lise Jans

The University of Groningen is offering a PhD position in Environmental Psychology focused on motivating people to contribute to societal transitions. This opportunity is part of the national NWO-NWA ECCO project, which aims to empower citizen collectives in driving just and sustainable transitions. The research will investigate how citizen collectives influence motivations, shared identities, and behaviors among both participants and non-participants, examining the potential for polarization or inclusive engagement. As a PhD candidate, you will develop your own research questions, collect data, and share findings with both scientific colleagues and professional partners. The project involves a longitudinal field experiment with over 40 communities, using surveys and experimental methods to assess changes in motivation and identity. You will also develop the 'Motivation Mapper' tool to help citizen collectives track their impact. Supervision will be provided by Associate Professor Lise Jans and Professor Ellen van der Werff, alongside a multidisciplinary team within the ECCO consortium. The Environmental Psychology Research Group at the University of Groningen is internationally recognized for its work on sustainable behavior, climate adaptation, and behavioral change interventions. The group collaborates with various academic, governmental, and NGO partners. Applicants should hold a Research Master or Master’s degree in social or environmental psychology or a related field, with strong quantitative and experimental research skills. Proficiency in English is required, and Dutch is preferred. Candidates should be enthusiastic about academic writing, collaboration, and translating scientific insights into practical guidelines. Organizational skills, perseverance, and conceptual ability are essential. The position offers a competitive salary (€3,059–€3,881 gross per month), generous vacation and holiday allowances, and opportunities for professional development. The contract is for four years, with an initial 12-month appointment and extension upon positive evaluation. The application deadline is 15 February 2025, and the starting date is 1 September 2026. To apply, submit your CV, motivation letter, academic transcripts, proof of English proficiency, and other relevant documents via the university’s online portal. For questions, contact Lise Jans at [email protected]. More information about the Environmental Psychology Research Group and the Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences can be found at the provided links.

The University of Groningen is offering a PhD position in Environmental Psychology focused on motivating people to contribute to societal transitions. This opportunity is part of the national NWO-NWA ECCO project, which aims to empower citizen collectives in driving just and sustainable transitions. The research will investigate how citizen collectives influence motivations, shared identities, and behaviors among both participants and non-participants, with a particular focus on whether these initiatives foster inclusive engagement or create polarization. As a PhD candidate, you will develop your own research questions, collect data, and share findings with both scientific colleagues and professional partners. The position involves conducting a longitudinal field experiment with a network of over 40 communities, using surveys and experimental methods to assess changes in motivation and identity. You will also develop the 'Motivation Mapper' tool to help citizen collectives track their impact. Supervision will be provided by Associate Professor Lise Jans and Professor Ellen van der Werff, alongside a multidisciplinary team within the ECCO consortium. The Environmental Psychology Research Group at Groningen is internationally recognized for its work on sustainable behavior, climate adaptation, and behavioral change interventions. The Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences supports research and teaching on resilience, health, sustainable living, and inclusive society. Applicants should hold a Research Master or Master’s degree in social or environmental psychology or a related field, with strong quantitative and experimental research skills. Proficiency in English is required, and Dutch is preferred. Candidates should demonstrate academic writing, social, and communication skills, organizational ability, and motivation to translate scientific insights into practical guidelines. The position offers a competitive salary (€3,059–€3,881/month), generous vacation and benefits, and extensive opportunities for personal and professional development. The contract is for four years, starting September 2026, with an initial 12-month appointment and extension upon positive evaluation. The application deadline is 15 February 2026. To apply, submit your CV, motivation letter, academic transcripts, proof of English proficiency, and other relevant documents online. For questions, contact Lise Jans at [email protected]. For more information, visit the Environmental Psychology Research Group and Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences websites.

PhD position at the University of Groningen in the Social Psychology Group on the topic of conversational dynamics of polarization . The project asks how face-to-face conversational dynamics contribute to radical polarization and how they can be harnessed to promote healthier democratic discourse. This PhD is part of a 4-year Vidi project led by Namkje Koudenburg and funded by NWO (Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek). The successful candidate will work together with Prof. Namkje Koudenburg and Prof. Lise Jans , combining social psychology with insights from political studies , cultural studies , and communication studies . Research themes include polarization, democratic discourse, group processes, conversational dynamics, public participation, and de-escalation of discussions. The project includes laboratory micro-societies, video-taped interactions, and an intervention study with a governmental partner to improve deliberation in small-group discussions. Eligibility highlights: a (Research) Master’s degree in social psychology or a related discipline; strong training in quantitative methods and statistics; experience with qualitative analysis of conversational data; theory-driven research experience; excellent academic record; strong English academic writing; and the ability to collaborate with academic and non-academic partners. Dutch language skills are a plus. Funding and employment: full-time 1.0 FTE, salary from €3,059 to €3,881 gross per month, 8.3% end-of-year bonus, 8% holiday allowance, 232 vacation hours per year, and a temporary contract of four years (initially one year, then extension after positive review). Application deadline: 5 May 2026 at 23:59 Dutch local time . Apply through the University of Groningen vacancy page.