Post-doc position in evolutionary health psychology

A Postdoc position for two years for 1.0 fte is available at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam in the social psychology section of the Department of Experimental and Applied Psychology. The position is part of the ERC Consolidator Grant NONPHARM: “The Psychological Underpinnings of Nonpharmaceutical Interventions”.

The Research Project
Infectious diseases cripple well-being, batter economies, and kill millions annually. These negative consequences can be reduced via nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) – behaviors that reduce the spread of pathogens. A wealth of recent theoretical and empirical work has illuminated how and why disgust intuitively motivates some NPIs, such as avoiding bodily wastes and spoiled foods. However, disgust does little to inhibit transmission via aerosols, respiratory droplets, and fomites – key pathways for the respiratory pathogens that circulate seasonally, have caused recent pandemics, and will cause the pandemics of the future. NONPHARM uses theory and methods from social psychology, evolutionary psychology, health psychology, and behavioral genetics to increase knowledge of how and why people (and do not) engage in NPIs such as handwashing, social isolation while infectious, and creating barriers to respiratory droplets and aerosols.

This postdoc is embedded within one cluster of the NONPHARM project. Within this cluster, we will examine how people behave when they are ill, how people think about illnesses, and how people view others with illnesses. Responsibilities will include:

• conducting literature reviews
• working with the PI to design and execute studies
• working with the PI to coordinate with collaborators
• communicating with a panel research agency
• managing and analyzing data
• assisting or leading manuscript preparation

Requirements:

• PhD in social, cultural, or evolutionary psychology (or related field, such as anthropology)
• Excellent data-analytic skills
• Demonstrated ability to engage in effective scientific writing
• Demonstrated ability to think and work outside-the-box
• Excellent command of English
• A background in the evolutionary social sciences and experience with cross-cultural research and familiarity with literature on disgust, pathogen avoidance, sickness behavior, or hygiene is a plus

As a university, we strive for equal opportunities for all, recognising that diversity takes many forms. We believe that diversity in all its complexity is invaluable for the quality of our teaching, research and service. We are always looking for talent with diverse backgrounds and experiences. This also means that we are committed to creating an inclusive community so that we can use diversity as an asset.

We realise that each individual brings a unique set of skills, expertise and mindset. Therefore we are happy to invite anyone who recognises themselves in the profile to apply, even if you do not meet all the requirements.

Salary Benefits:

A challenging position in a socially engaged organisation. At VU Amsterdam, you contribute to education, research and service for a better world. And that is valuable. So in return for your efforts, we offer you:

• a salary of minimum € 3.345,00 (Scale 10) and maximum € 5.278,00 (Scale 10) gross per month, on a full-time basis. This is based on UFO profile Researcher 4. The exact salary depends on your education and experience.
• a position for at least 1 FTE. Your employment contract will initially last 1 year. Afterwards, the possibility of expansion exists.

We also offer you attractive fringe benefits and regulations. Some examples:

• A full-time 38-hour working week comes with a holiday leave entitlement of 232 hours per year. If you choose to work 40 hours, you have 96 extra holiday leave hours on an annual basis. For part-timers, this is calculated pro rata.
• 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus
• a wide range of sports facilities which staff may use at a modest charge
• contribution to commuting expenses
• solid pension scheme (ABP)

Preferably the candidate would be able to start in early 2025.

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