(1,0 fte each)
(Groningen), 38 hours per week
University of Groningen
Job description
Function title: Two PhD positions at the Organizational Psychology group
which is established at the Department of Social and Organizational Psychology.
Topic
Leader behavior is one of the keys to the success of organizations, because it strongly influences subordinates’ motivation and performance. Two strategies have proven to be especially efficient in affecting subordinates’ motivation. Firstly, transformational leadership behavior (TFLB) which involves the leader raising the followers’ sense of purpose and levels of motivation. The aims of the leader and the followers combine into one purpose, and the transformational leader raises the followers’ confidence and expectations of themselves. Secondly, transactional leadership behavior (TALB) is simply an exchange in which the leaders hands over rewards when followers meet expectations and monitors subordinates’ errors closely. The current project (NWO VIDI) studies a self-regulation model of leadership behavior, which aims at predicting TFLB and TALB based on contemporary motivational theories. Project 1 focuses on experimental laboratory research, whereas in project 2 the focus will be on (experimental or quasi-experimental) field research. Successful candidates are invited to contribute their own ideas in relation to the topic of the proposal (i.e., leadership, approach and avoidance motivation, individual differences, and performance attainment).
Job description
Writing a review of the relevant literature, designing and running a series of experimental or field studies, data analysis, writing a PhD thesis consisting of manuscripts that will be published in international scientific journals, assisting in teaching (about 15% of time), participation in weekly research meetings of the Organizational Psychology group, following courses and participation in track meetings of the local Graduate School and the Kurt Lewin Institute, and presenting research at (inter)national meetings and conferences. The supervisors of this project are prof. K. Sassenbenberg and prof. N.W. van Yperen.
Requirements
Required education/skills:University Graduate
- master's (MA, MSc or drs) in Social or Organizational Psychology, or another relevant domain of psychology
- interest in leadership, approach and avoidance motivation, individual differences, and performance attainment
- interest in and some experience with experimental research (project 1) or field research in organizations (project 2)
- interest in methodology and statistics
- excellent analytical, writing, presentation, and communication skills
- mastery of both written and spoken English.
Job type: Research / Advising
Workfield(s):
- Teaching & Research(Scientific discipline: Behaviour and Society)
Organization
University of Groningen
Founded in 1614. One of the best universities in Europe and the world. A wide variety of disciplines. Internationally oriented. Rooted in the North of the Netherlands. Socially active. Our researchers and lecturers are inspired academics. Ambitious students. We respect the differences in talent, ambitions and performance of the 25.000 students and members of staff.
The university provides a career advisory service for partners of new staff who move to Groningen.
The university is an equal opportunities employer. Because women are still underrepresented in a number of fields, they are particularly encouraged to apply.
Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences
Both PhD’s will become members of the Organizational Psychology group which is established at the Department of Social and Organizational Psychology. This department participates in the Kurt Lewin Institute (
www.kurtlewininstitute.nl), the national graduate school for Social and Organizational Psychology. The organizational psychological research focuses on social-cognitive and individual differences underlying human behavior in organizations. Our policy is directed at finding a balance between laboratory and (experimental) field research. The research activities are embedded in the research program Interpersonal Behavior. With regard to teaching, the Organizational Psychology group is co-responsible for the one-year masters program ‘Work, Organizational, and Personnel Psychology’ and the two-year research master program ‘Social and Organizational Psychology’.
Conditions of employment
Maximum salary amount in Euro's a month 2558
Employment basis: Temporary for specified period
Duration of the contract: Four years
Maximum hours per week: 38
Additional conditions of employment:
The University of Groningen offers a salary of € 2000 gross per month in the first year, up to a maximum of € 2558 gross per month in the final year. Aim of the temporary four-years position is a number of research articles in peer-reviewed scientific journals, together comprising a PhD thesis leading to the granting of a PhD degree (dr.) at the University of Groningen. After the first year, there will be an evaluation for feasibility of successful completion of the PhD thesis within the next three years.
Starting date: Preferably September 1st, 2008.
Additional Information
Additional information about the vacancy can be obtained from:
Prof. N.W. van Yperen (for both positions or a description of the NWO VIDI research proposal)
Telephone number: 31 50 3636332
E-mail address:
N.van.Yperen@rug.nlOr additional information can be obtained through one of the following links:
Application
You can apply for this job before 14-05-2008 (dd-mm-yyyy) by sending your application to:
University of Groningen
Personnel and Organization Office
P.O. Box 72
9700 AB Groningen
The Netherlands
E-mail:
vmp@rug.nlWhen applying for this job always mention the vacancy number AT208119-20.
