Are you passionate about using innovative technology to help people make better decisions about their future? Do you want to explore how virtual reality (VR) and artificial intelligence (AI) can bridge the gap between present and future selves? Join our interdisciplinary research team working on pension communication and engagement!Job Description For this position, we seek applications for a PhD project on Future Self Visualization and Pension Engagement under supervision of Dr. Jonas Heller. Pension engagement is a topic of great societal significance, as many people delay their financial planning for retirement, potentially endangering their future financial stability. This project investigates how visualizing one's future self with the use of emerging technologies can motivate more immediate action in financial planning.
As a PhD Candidate in the Graduate School of Business and Economics (GSBE), you will conduct original research into how different modalities of future self-visualization affect pension engagement. Your research will involve testing various technological approaches, from static images to interactive AR applications. You will have access to the schools ‘Digital Experience Lab’ (DEXLab). You will work with various technologies - from simple images to advanced AR applications - and conduct research both in controlled lab settings and real-world environments. You will write about and publish your findings, present your ideas at conferences, and network with other scholars in the field. Furthermore, your academic responsibilities include coursework for professional development, teaching, and collaboration with partners in both academia and industry.
Your tasks include:
- Lead research projects from start to finish, including literature reviews, experimental design, data collection, analysis, and write-up
- Conduct mixed-methods research developing and comparing different future self-visualization modalities
- Develop and test interventions using various technologies (static images, voice, video, AR)
- Write up your results and submit them for publication and complete your dissertation
Requirements A suitable candidate should be interested in conducting PhD research in (consumer) decision-making and technology-mediated interventions. We welcome candidates with backgrounds in marketing, consumer behaviour, psychology, human-computer interaction, or related social sciences. For this research, we seek candidates who:
Essential qualifications:
- A completed Master's degree (or near completion) in any relevant field, with advanced understanding of research methods
- Professional proficiency in English (minimum C1) and excellent communication skills in both academic and business contexts, including the ability to translate complex technical requirements between different audiences
We are looking for candidates who demonstrate:
- Strong interpersonal and collaborative skills, proven through experience working with diverse stakeholders and technical teams in complex projects
- Demonstrated ability to bridge academic research and practical implementation, with a strong work ethic and willingness to go the extra mile
- Excellent project management and coordination skills, including the ability to plan, organize, and adapt to different working environments and stakeholder needs
Ideal candidates will also show:
- Experience in maintaining academic independence while successfully collaborating with industry partners
- Track record of delivering high-quality work that meets both academic and industry standards
- Flexibility in approach and genuine enthusiasm for working at the intersection of (technology and pension) research and practical implementation
What we offerAs PhD position: 'Future Self Visualization and Pension Engagement Research' at School of Business and Economics, you will be employed by the most international university in the Netherlands, located in the beautiful city of Maastricht. In addition, we offer you: - Good employment conditions. The position is graded in scale P according to UFO profile PhD, with corresponding salary based on experience ranging from €2901,00 and €3707,00 gross per month (based on a full-time employment of 38 hours per week). In addition to the monthly salary, an 8.0% holiday allowance and an 8.3% year-end bonus apply.
- An employment contract for a period of 12 months with a scope of 1,0 FTE. Upon a positive evaluation, an extension of 3 years will follow.
- At Maastricht University, the well-being of our employees is of utmost importance, we offer flexible working hours and the possibility to work partly from home if the nature of your position allows it. You will receive a monthly commuting and internet allowance for this. If you work full-time, you will be entitled to 29 vacation days and 4 additional public holidays per year, namely carnival Monday, carnival Tuesday, Good Friday, and Liberation Day. If you choose to accumulate compensation hours, an additional 12 days will be added. Furthermore, you can personalize your employment conditions through a collective labor agreement (CAO) choice model.
- As Maastricht University, we offer various other excellent secondary employment conditions. These include a good pension scheme with the ABP and the opportunity for UM employees to participate in company fitness and make use of the extensive sports facilities that we also offer to our students.
- Last but certainly not least, we provide the space and facilities for your personal and professional development. We facilitate this by offering a wide range of training programs and supporting various well-established initiatives such as 'acknowledge and appreciate'.
The terms of employment at Maastricht University are largely set out in the collective labor agreement of Dutch Universities. In addition, local provisions specific to UM apply. For more information,
click here.
Maastricht University Why work at Maastricht University?
At Maastricht University (UM), everything revolves around the future. The future of our students, as we work to equip them with a solid, broad-based foundation for the rest of their lives. And the future of society, as we seek solutions through our research to issues from all around the world. Our six faculties combined provide a comprehensive package of study programmes and research.
In our teaching, we use the Problem-Based Learning (PBL) method. Students work in small groups, looking for solutions to problems themselves. By discussing issues and working together to draw conclusions, formulate answers and present them to their peers, students develop essential skills for their future careers.
With over 22,300 students and more than 5,000 employees from all over the world, UM is home to a vibrant and inspiring international community.
Are you drawn to an international setting focused on education, science and scholarship? Are you keen to contribute however your skills and qualities allow? Our door is open to you! As a young European university, we value your talent and look forward to creating the future together.
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The School of Business and Economics The School of Business and Economics (SBE) is one of Maastricht University’s six faculties. Our mission is to contribute to a better world by addressing societal problems, by co-creating knowledge and developing team players and leaders for the future.
By joining SBE, you will be part of the 1% of business schools worldwide to be Triple Crown accredited (EQUIS, AACSB and AMBA). You will join an inspiring and international environment, where learning and development is priority.
Curious? Are you interested in this exciting position but still have questions? Feel free to contact Robert Suurmond at
r.suurmond@maastrichtuniversity.nl for more information.
Applying? Or are you already convinced and ready to become our new PhD position: 'Future Self Visualization and Pension Engagement Research'? Apply now, no later than February 2, 2025, for this position. The first interviews take place around end-of-February.
The vacancy is open for internal and external candidates. In case of equal qualifications, internal candidates will be prioritized.
Maastricht University is committed to promoting and nurturing a diverse and inclusive community. We believe that diversity in our staff and student population contributes to the quality of research and education at UM, and strive to enable this through inclusive policies and innovative projects led by teams of staff and students. We encourage you to apply for this position.