Doctoral fellow

Job description

YOUR TASKS
- You will contribute to Prof. Julie Verstraeten's research in the field of Retail and with a focus on consumer behavior. Research topics can be about the choices consumers make in a supermarket environment and how different aspects of the supermarket environment influence their choices (e.g. the size of assortments and whether consumers store online or in a physical store). Consumers' choices can range from food choices, choices between private label and brand product, to choices between products with and without Nutri-score/Eco-score. The underlying drivers that consumers have for their choices and how consumers may differ from each other will also be addressed during the research. The exact research topic will be further developed in consultation with the chosen candidate (based on shared research interests) but should be situated within the above-mentioned field.
- The intention is that you will work towards writing and submitting a doctoral thesis in which you will concretely work on scientific research and write scientific articles that can be published in international, scientific journals.
- You will then submit a doctoral dissertation after a 4-year term to earn a PhD in Applied Economics. As part of obtaining this doctorate, you will ...
** complete a doctoral program,
** present your research(s) internally (at research seminars) and externally (at scientific conferences),
** write a doctoral dissertation (by writing and working on scientific articles that (may) be published in scientific journals).
- Your assignment consists mostly of the above-mentioned research, but you will also be involved to a limited extent in teaching activities, supervising master's theses and providing services to the research group (e.g. activities related to keeping the research lab operational).

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU
- We offer you a contract as a doctoral fellow for a term of 1 year. The contract can be extended for 3 years subject to favorable evaluation of the previous term.
- A creative and dynamic environment in a research group with expertise in consumer behavior and a department consisting of several doctoral researchers, postdoctoral researchers, and supervisors who will support in data collection and scientific tasks.
- A fully renovated research lab in which you will be able to conduct your research.
- Compensation is in accordance with university salary scales for doctoral fellows. More information about our salary scales.
- Just like any other UGent staff member, a doctoral grantee can count on a number of benefits, such as a wide range of training and education, 36 days of vacation leave (on an annual basis for a full-time appointment), a bicycle allowance, eco vouchers, etc. A complete overview of all our fringe benefits.
- We value your development and we offer opportunities to attend specific professional training and seminars.
- The earliest employment date is October 16, 2023. The effective start date will be determined by mutual agreement.

Job profile

- You hold a Master of Science degree in Applied Economics, Business Economics, Commercial Sciences, Commercial Engineering, Psychological Sciences, Communication Sciences, Sociology or equivalent. Degree requirements must be met by date of appointment. Final year students can certainly also apply if they will obtain their master's degree no later than the end of September 2023.
- You have an interest in scientific research (Retail, consumer behavior, marketing) and are driven to pursue a PhD in Applied Economics (field of marketing). Having knowledge of and/or experience with research in Retail and consumer behavior is not required, but is an asset.
- You are familiar with scientific literature and have an interest in delving into the scientific literature in above mentioned fields.
- You have a good knowledge of English and Dutch, both oral and written. Scientific speaking and writing skills in Dutch and English are essential.
- You have knowledge of research methods, have good analytical skills and are fluent with SPSS. Ideally, you also have some experience with setting up quantitative (experimental) research.
- You are willing to further hone any skills required to conduct your research.
You have an eye for detail, can work independently and carefully, are open to feedback, are critical, eager to learn and patient, can cooperate, are organized and take initiative easily.
- You are prepared to carry out your research from Ghent, but also to travel abroad briefly for your research (conferences, workshops).

How to apply

INTERESTED?
You can apply by sending your CV, motivation letter and marksheets (from your bachelor's and master's degree) to Julie.Verstraeten@UGent.be. The deadline for forwarding your application is September 6, 2023.
After dossier selection, a number of candidates will be invited for an interview and participation in tests on September 14 and/or 15, 2023.

MORE INFORMATION
For more information regarding this vacancy, please contact Prof. Julie Verstraeten (Julie.Verstraeten@UGent.be).