The Department of Interdisciplinary Social Science: Youth Studies has a job opening for a two-year fulltime postdoc position. In this position you will be part of the IMPROVA project and contribute to strengthening adolescent mental health.

Your job
In the position of postdoc, you are responsible for aligning research activities within the project and sharing insights. You will carry out activities like writing scientific articles, supporting the screening and coding of studies for meta-analyses and systematic reviews, and present results at conferences, workshops, and to stakeholders or policymakers. Your main tasks concern:

• analysing large-scale quantitative datasets from internationally comparative studies, particularly the Health Behavior in School-aged Children (HBSC) Study, by means of sophisticated (multilevel) analyses;
• generating research ideas that contribute to the development of IMPROVA, preferably based on HBSC data and analyses, writing scientific papers based on them, and supporting the ongoing work for meta-analyses and systematic reviews;
• working closely with interdisciplinary teams in IMPROVA, maintaining open communication and fostering a collaborative environment;
• monitoring, coordinating, and evaluating the responsibilities of Work Package 1 towards the IMPROVA consotrium and the European Union;
• engaging with stakeholders to ensure the research is aligned with the needs of adolescents, schools, and policymakers.

We are seeking an outstanding and motivated postdoctoral researcher with a strong background in quantitative research and adolescence studies. If you have experience analysing large quantitative datasets from (international) studies, are proficient in meta-analyses and systematic reviews, and you have excellent writing skills, we encourage you to apply.

You bring the following skills and experiences:

• a PhD in Health Sciences, Behavioural Sciences, Epidemiology, Pedagogical and Educational Sciences, Psychology, Interdisciplinary Social Science, Medical Sciences, Economics, or related fields;
• proficiency in quantitative research methods and advanced statistical analysis using software such as Mplus or R;
• experience with meta-analyses and systematic reviews is highly desirable;
• a strong interest and expertise in adolescent mental health;
• written and oral fluency in English is required; proficiency in Dutch is a plus;
• the ability to synthesise complex information and derive meaningful insights;
• excellent written and verbal communication skills for academic and stakeholder audiences;
• proven ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team;
• strong organisational skills with a proactive and hands-on mentality;
• the ability to build and maintain relationships with partners, taking and sharing responsibility, and a good sense of group dynamics.

• A position for one year with the possibility for an extension for one year;
• a working week of 38 hours and a gross monthly salary between €3,378 and €5,331 in the case of full-time employment (salary scale 10 under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU));
• 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus;
• a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU.

In addition to the terms of employment laid down in the CAO NU, Utrecht University has a number of schemes and facilities of its own for employees. This includes schemes facilitating professional development, leave schemes and schemes for sports and cultural activities, as well as discounts on software and other IT products. We also offer access to additional employee benefits through our Terms of Employment Options Model. In this way, we encourage our employees to continue to invest in their growth. For more information, please visit Working at Utrecht University.

Universiteit Utrecht

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 strategic themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Pathways to Sustainability. Sharing science, shaping tomorrow.

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. Almost 7,000 students are enrolled in a broad range of undergraduate and graduate programmes. The Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences has some 1,100 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.

Funded by Horizon Europe, the IMPROVA project aims to co-design, pilot, evaluate, and facilitate the upscaling of a modular eHealth intervention platform. This platform seeks to improve mental health and well-being, detect mental health problems early, and prevent common mental disorders in adolescents. The IMPROVA consortium comprises an international and interdisciplinary team of researchers and practitioners from health, educational, and social sciences, alongside computer scientists, teacher associations, and policymakers.

For more information, please contact Catrin Finkenauer at c.finkenauer@uu.nl or Gonneke Stevens at g.w.j.m.stevens@uu.nl.

Candidates for this vacancy will be recruited by Utrecht University.

Please note that international candidates that need a visa/work permit for the Netherlands require at least four months processing time after selection and acceptance. Our International Service Desk (ISD) can answer your questions about living in the Netherlands as international staff. Finding appropriate housing in or near Utrecht is your own responsibility, but the ISD may be able to advise you therewith. In case of general questions about working and living in The Netherlands, please consult the Dutch Mobility Portal.