Doctoral fellow

Job description

ABOUT GHENT UNIVERSITY

Ghent University is a world of its own. Employing more than 15.000 people, it is actively involved in education and research, management and administration, as well as technical and social service provision on a daily basis. It is one of the largest, most exciting employers in the area and offers great career opportunities.

With its 11 faculties and more than 85 departments offering state-of-the-art study programmes grounded in research in a wide range of academic fields, Ghent University is a logical choice for its staff and students.

For the Psychopathology and Affective Neuroscience (PAN) Lab, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Ghent University, we are looking for a m/f/x

Doctoral fellow

YOUR JOB

• For a large-scale project aimed at quantifying the contribution of cognitive processes (e.g., cognitive control, cognitive bias), cognitive content (e.g., dysfunctional beliefs, fallacies), and emotion regulation to the development, maintenance, and treatment of depressive symptoms, we are looking for two PhD students. The ultimate goal of the research activities is to obtain a doctoral degree (for each PhD student separately). The tasks of each PhD student will include:
• Preparing (e.g., ethical committee applications, data management, creation of surveys and experimental tasks, etc.) and conducting research activities (e.g., recruiting participants, data collection, etc.) focused on the role of cognitive processes in depression, and evaluation of related treatments;
• Analysing data (quantitative, qualitative), using advanced analytical strategies;
• Disseminating research findings in the form of peer-reviewed scientific articles, conference presentations, and a doctoral dissertation;
• Science communication;
• Administrative tasks, contributions to lab services, and involvement in teaching within the department;
• Etc.

Job profile

• You hold a Master’s degree (preferably) in Psychology (Clinical or Experimental) or equivalent. The degree requirements need to be fulfilled at the start of your appointment;
• You have a strong interest in research in the field of experimental psychopathology or clinical psychology, with a specific focus on depression vulnerability and treatment of depression. You wish to specialize in this area over the next four years and you are eager to further develop this research line together;
• You look forward to conducting the planned studies (preparing and carrying out data collection and analysis) and contributing scientifically to this domain (reporting findings, including writing scientific articles);
• You are eager to learn and quickly master new skills or procedures;
• Previous experience with experimental psychopathology research, mobile assessments (e.g., diary methods or experience sampling), setting up experimental tasks, time-series data analysis (e.g., MLM), or data-driven analytical strategies (e.g., network analysis) is considered an advantage, although we encourage all interested candidates to apply for the position;
• You work meticulously and have a strong sense of responsibility;
• You are a true team player but can also work independently. You are excited to collaborate with a second PhD student on this project and to supervise master's students within the Psychopathology and Affective Neuroscience Lab at Ghent University;
• Clinical affinity is recommended given the focus on (vulnerability to) depression;
• An excellent command of the Dutch language is necessary (in light of contact with the clinical target group).

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

• We offer a full-time position as a doctoral fellow, consisting of an initial period of 12 months, which - after a positive evaluation, will be extended to a total maximum of 48 months.
• Your contract will start on 10/01/2025 at the earliest.
• The fellowship amount is 100% of the net salary of an AAP member in equal family circumstances. The individual fellowship amount is determined by Team Personnel Administration based on family status and seniority. A grant that meets the conditions and criteria of the regulations for doctoral fellowships is considered free of personal income tax. Click here for more information about our salary scales
• All Ghent University staff members enjoy a number of benefits, such as a wide range of training and education opportunities, 36 days of holiday leave (on an annual basis for a full-time job) supplemented by annual fixed bridge days, bicycle allowance and eco vouchers. Click here for a complete overview of all the staff benefits.

How to apply

Applications should be sent by email to the Principal Investigator: Kristof Hoorelbeke (Kristof.Hoorelbeke@UGent.be) on June 10th 2025 latest. We will not accept late applications.

Applications should include (as PDF):
1. A cover letter highlighting why the applicant is interested in this project, how it resonates with their own expertise, what relevant experience/knowledge they have, and what added value they expect to bring;
2. A full curriculum vitae (including accurate information on grades and study results, e.g. official results lists if available);
3. A copy of your degree (if already available). 
4. If available, a sample of published work or the applicant’s MA dissertation or other relevant writing samples.

Note: When applying for the position by e-mail, please make sure that the combined size of the attachments does not exceed 10 MB.

For more information about this vacancy, please contact Prof. Kristof Hoorelbeke (Kristof.Hoorelbeke@UGent.be).