Are you interested in doing research in the area of measurement in psychology? We are looking for a PhD candidate to join our research project entitled “Measurement in psychological networks”. This project is led by dr. Riet van Bork and dr. Lourens Waldorp.

Short summary of the project:

The development of network modelling has led to a plethora of new analytic techniques which are now being applied to areas such as clinical psychology, attitude, personality and intelligence research. However, these techniques have not yet resulted in a psychometric framework that can guide measurement. If we want to be able to make claims such as that someone’s level of depression has decreased after treatment, or that some school intervention has increased a person’s math ability, this requires that these constructs such as depression and math ability can take on different levels that can be compared across people or across time. Currently, it is unclear how one would measure someone’s level on a construct when this construct is understood as a network. The overarching question in the proposed research project is therefore: How to measure levels of a construct in the network framework?

This project has four objectives:

1. Review equivalences between network and latent variable models to understand what parameters in the latent variable framework could represent in the network framework.
2. Investigate different possible parameters in the network model that could represent the construct level of a person.
3. Develop conditions under which different items should be considered measures of the same node, rather than being included as separate nodes in a network.
4. Create R-packages based on the methodology developed in the different subprojects.

Clicking this hyperlink will bring you to a more detailed project description.

You will work in the Psychological Methods group, which is part of the Psychology department of the University of Amsterdam. Colleagues in the Psychological Methods group will work on various topics related to the methods that are used in psychology research, including: psychological network methodology, Bayesian methods, mathematical psychology, psychometrics, dynamical systems modelling, theory construction methodology and behavioral data science.

What are you going to do
The PhD student will help achieve these objectives. They will do so in collaboration with the supervisors and other colleagues.

Teaching is limited to 5% of the contracted hours, by assisting in courses and supervising (bachelor) thesis students.

To help achieve the above objectives, research tasks will include the following.

You will

• review literature on conceptual issues in psychological measurement.
• do conceptual work such as forming interpretations of psychometric concepts (e.g., ‘reliability’) in the context of the network framework.
• review psychometric and statistical literature and analyze mathematical equivalences between latent variable models and network models.
• develop measurement theory for the network framework in psychology.
• perform simulations in R and develop R-packages to make the developed measurement theory applicable.

What do you have to offer
A promising candidate has proven affinity both with conceptual issues in measurement, as well as with the statistical models that are used for measurement in psychology. Because the objectives in this project require the PhD candidate to read literature in psychometrics and mathematical statistics, a promising candidate will persevere in trying to make sense of formulas and trying to understand how different formulas relate to each other. Some of the objectives will require a simulation study, therefore a promising candidate will also have affinity with doing simulations in R.

Your experience and profile

• A master's degree with specialization in psychological methods or a related discipline;
• Skilled in mathematical statistics;
• Experience with psychometric models (classical test theory, item response theory, factor models) or psychological network models. Having experience with both would be a plus;
• Affinity with philosophy of science, and conceptual issues in measurement;
• Experience with programming in R;
• Excellent written and spoken command of English.

In addition, you are: available to start before Nov 1, 2024.

What can we offer you
The position concerns temporary employment of 38 hours per week. The initial employment is for one year. Following a positive assessment and barring altered circumstances, this term will be extended for a total duration of 4 years, which should result in the conferral of a doctorate. We will put together a curriculum which will also include the opportunity to attend training courses and both national and international events.

For this position the University Job Classification profile ‘Promovendus’ applies.

Your salary will be €2770 gross per month in the first year and will increase to €3539 in the final year, based on full-time employment and in keeping with the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities. We additionally offer an extensive package of secondary benefits, including 8% holiday allowance and a year-end bonus of 8.3%.

The UvA offers excellent possibilities for further professional development and education.

What else do we offer

• A position in which initiative and input are highly valued.
• An enthusiastic and warm team that is open to new colleagues.
• An inspiring academic and international working environment in the heart of Amsterdam.
• You will become a member of a graduate school. The graduate school that best fits this PhD project is IOPS, see this link for more information.

About us
The University of Amsterdam is the largest university in the Netherlands, with the broadest spectrum of degree programmes. It is an intellectual hub with 39,000 students, 6,000 employees and 3,000 doctoral students who are all committed to a culture of inquiring minds.

About the faculty
A challenging work environment with a variety of duties and ample scope for individual initiative and development within an inspiring organization. The social and behavioral sciences play a leading role in addressing the major societal challenges faced by the world, the Netherlands and Amsterdam, now and in the future.

Want to know more about our organisation? Read more about working at the University of Amsterdam.

Questions
Do you have any questions or do you require additional information? Please contact:

• Riet van Bork, Assistant Professor of Psychological Methods, r.vanbork@uva.nl

In case Riet van Bork is out of the office, you can also contact:

• Lourens Waldorp, Associate Professor of Psychological Methods, l.j.waldorp@uva.nl

Job application
Do you recognize yourself in the job profile? Then we look forward to receiving your application by 25 August 2024. You may apply online by using the link below.

Applications in .pdf should include:

• a curriculum vitae; The curriculum vitae should include the contact details (email address and phone number) of two references
• a cover letter (max 500 words)

The cover letter should address the candidate’s fit to the project (especially regarding the sections ‘what are you going to do’ and ‘what do you have to offer’ in this vacancy).

The UvA is an equal-opportunity employer. We prioritize diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for everyone. We value a spirit of enquiry and perseverance, provide the space to keep asking questions, and promote a culture of curiosity and creativity.

If you encounter Error GBB451/ GBC451, reach out to our HR Department directly. They will gladly help you continue your application.

No agencies please.