Research Assistant in Experimental Psychopathology (0.5 FTE)

As research assistant you will be working on the recently awarded NWO Replication project “Fear generalization in patients with Panic Disorder: A 5 clinic direct replication of Lissek et al. (2010)”. Goal of this project is to directly replicate the influential study by Lissek et al. (2010) across different clinics in the Netherlands and one clinic in Spain. Specifically, we are aiming on testing fear responses towards conditioned stimuli of individuals with panic disorder and matched controls. The core tasks of the research assistant include the recruitment of individuals with a panic disorder diagnosis and matched healthy controls, and the coordination of research across the different clinics involved in the project. The project includes many interactions with clinicians so good written and spoken Dutch is a necessary requirement.

We are looking for an enthusiastic candidate who has a genuine interest in anxiety disorders, a strong motivation to conduct experimental research, and willingness to work within a larger research group. Advantages are research experience (during the Bachelor's/Master's thesis or research internship) with conditioning protocols and clinical experience with patients suffering from anxiety or trauma-related disorders.

The candidate has:

• A Bachelor's or Master’s degree in the field of clinical psychology and/or experimental psychopathology.
• Excellent level of written and spoken Dutch.
• Excellent social and organizational skills.
• Creativity.
• Prior clinical experience is not necessary, but will be taken into account in the decision-making.
• Experience with physiology measures is also not necessary, but desirable.

We offer an 18-month contract of 2.5 days a week (0.5 FTE) with a potential extension to 4 or 5 days in an international working environment. The gross salary - depending on previous qualifications and experience - ranges between €2,579 to a maximum of €3,445 (scale 8 according to the Collective Labour Agreement Dutch Universities) gross per month for a full-time employment.

Salaries are supplemented with a holiday bonus of 8% and a year-end bonus of 8.3% per year. In addition, Utrecht University offers excellent secondary conditions, including an attractive retirement scheme, (partly paid) parental leave and flexible employment conditions (multiple choice model). We also provide an attractive working environment and a vibrant research climate. Here you'll find more information about working at Utrecht University.

A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University, the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major societal themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Sustainability.

The Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences is one of the leading faculties in Europe providing research and academic teaching in cultural anthropology, educational sciences, interdisciplinary social science, pedagogical sciences, psychology, and sociology. More than 5,600 students are enrolled in a broad range of undergraduate and graduate programmes. The Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences has around 850 faculty and staff members, all providing their individual contribution to the training and education of young talent and to the research into and finding solutions for scientific and societal issues. 

Applications should include a motivation letter and a full CV (including copies of your academic transcripts).