Postdoc in Health, Well-Being, and Educational Performance

Are you interested in unravelling the complex relationships between health, well-being, and educational performance among children in the Netherlands? Are you passionate about doing research on how children can make the most of their potential? And have you (almost) completed a PhD in a relevant field? Then this position may be for you!

Job Description
The Research Centre for Education and the Labour Market (ROA) of Maastricht University’s School of Business and Economics is seeking to appoint one postdoctoral researcher on the project: Early predictors of school success: physical, mental and social health and behavior (see also https://www.nationaalcohortonderzoek.nl/eposs). In this project (started in October 2022), we study how different aspects of health, well-being, and (un)healthy behaviour of primary and secondary school pupils are related to their educational performance and educational career. We collect unique new data on physical, mental, and social health and behaviour (e.g., diet, social media use, substance use, physical activity, and bullying), at two crucial education transition moments at selected schools in primary and secondary education. We survey pupils and their parents, combining reliable and validated survey measurements with innovative ways of data collection, which will be linked to data on educational performance from the Nationaal Cohortonderzoek Onderwijs (NCO). The data collection in primary schools has been completed in spring 2024; the data collection in secondary schools will be completed in January 2025. The postdoctoral researcher will focus on analysing the data, and on the dissemination of the findings to various audiences.

The postdoctoral researcher will be part of a vibrant multidisciplinary research group, specialized in the relation between various dimensions of health and educational success. The project team consists of eight people, and is composed of sociologists from ROA and health scientists and psychiatrists from the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences. The postdoctoral researcher will be supervised by prof. dr. Tim Huijts. The team also includes one other postdoctoral researcher. The postdoctoral researcher is expected to work on the following:

• Quantitative analysis of unique new data on health, well-being and educational performance of children in the Netherlands;
• Support data collection, data cleaning and data linkage;
• Complete studies based on the quantitative data analysis that will be published in leading peer-reviewed journals;
• Contribute to science communication and knowledge dissemination of the results of the project to various stakeholders;
• Contribute to the ROA research community, for example by taking part in ROA’s internal seminars.

Requirements
Candidates will be judged on the basis of the requirements outlined below. To be considered, please make sure that your application letter demonstrates how you meet these requirements:

• A PhD degree in quantitative sociology, social epidemiology, health sciences, demography, economics, applied econometrics, or other relevant fields. Candidates who are close to defending their PhD are also encouraged to apply;
• Advanced skills in research design and relevant quantitative analysis, as demonstrated in your PhD thesis and journal publications;
• Strong analytical capacity;
• Preferably experience with data collection and working with register data;
• Affinity (and preferably experience) with research on topics around health and youth;
• Affinity (and preferably experience) with science communication and knowledge dissemination;
• Affinity with work in an interdisciplinary and international environment;
• Outstanding organizational, verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills.

 What we offer
As a postdoc at the 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 11 according to UFO profile Researcher, function level 3 with corresponding salary based on experience ranging from €4537,00 and €6209,00 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 24 months with a scope of 0.8 FTE.
• 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.

Click here for more information about UM. 

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 Tim Huijts at t.huijts@maastrichtuniversity.nl or Elien Vanluydt at elien.vanluydt@maastrichtuniversity.nl for more information.

Applying?
Or are you already convinced and ready to become our new Postdoc? Apply now, no later than January 15, 2025, for this position.

The interviews preferably take place on January 22 and 28.

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.