Postdoctoral Researcher in Leadership, Learning and Development

Welcome to Maastricht University
The world is rapidly changing, and we’re growing along with it to meet this change. Your work makes a difference here, whether you’re exploring the future as a researcher, inspiring students in the classroom, or helping shape everything that makes our education and research possible.

Our goal: To advance leadership development through state-of-the- art research. 

Your colleagues: An interdisciplinary, dynamic and international team within the Department of Organisation, Strategy and Entrepreneurship (OSE), led by Dr. Sonja Zaar. 

In this postdoc position (two years at minimum), you will explore innovative approaches to leadership development. Your main responsibility will be to cooperate in research on leadership cognition and identity, learning processes, and development interventions. You will co-create studies, analyse data, and publish in high-impact journals. Collaborating with interdisciplinary teams, you will translate research insights into practical applications. Teaching and master thesis supervision is also part of this position.

You will work closely with faculty members, fellow researchers, and external partners focused on leadership science and practice. The team fosters an open and collaborative environment, combining academic rigor with real-world impact.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Conducting research and designing studies;
• Co-authoring papers and publishing findings;
• Collaborating with stakeholders from academia and practice;
• Supporting leadership development interventions and training;
• Teaching duties, such as tutoring and master thesis supervision.

Are you ready to set the course for the years ahead? Then we’d love to meet you.

What you bring
It’s not about ticking boxes – it’s about who you are and what you contribute. Do you recognise yourself in the following?

• Academically grounded – You hold a PhD in leadership, learning and development, cognitive psychology, organisational behaviour or a related field.
• Analytical and research-driven – You have a sharp eye for complex issues and can turn them into meaningful research.
• Experienced in qualitative methods – You’re proficient in interviews, focus groups, observations, and analysis using tools like NVivo or Atlas.ti.
• Strong writing skills – You have experience publishing in peer-reviewed journals and conducting systematic literature reviews.
• Practically minded – You can translate research insights into usable interventions or programmes.
• Effective communicator – You engage easily with researchers, practitioners and other stakeholders.
• Team player with initiative – You work independently but actively seek collaboration and are open to feedback.

Previous experience with writing systematic, experience in using statistical analysis software (e.g., SPSS, R, Python) and familiarity with survey design and analysis are a plus.

What we offer
As a postdoctoral researcher 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 10 according to UFO profile Researcher, with corresponding salary based on experience ranging from €3.378 and €5331,00 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 0,7 - 1,0 FTE. Upon a positive evaluation, an extension of 1 years may 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.

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. 

 
Department

The Department of Organisation, Strategy, and Entrepreneurship (OSE) is a vibrant international group of academics dedicated to high-quality research and education, with a strong drive for societal relevance and valorisation. With around 50 faculty members, including professors, lecturers, and PhD students, OSE fosters collaboration and innovation. Committed to teaching excellence, OSE plays a key role in undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate programs, emphasizing small-group teaching within a problem-based learning (PBL) framework. Our researchers focus on organizational behaviour, organizational theory, entrepreneurship, innovation, and strategic management, contributing to both academia and society. For more information, see: https://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/research/department-organisation-strategy-and-entrepreneurship-ose

Curious?
Would you like to know more about this position? Contact Dr. Sonja Zaar via s.zaar@maastrichtuniversity.nl. For questions regarding the application process, please contact Laura Daniels at laura.daniels@maastrichtuniversity.nl.

Ready to apply?
Upload your CV, motivation letter, contact details of two referees, and a publication list no later than 17 August 2025.

First interviews are scheduled for the end of August, followed by second interviews in late September.

A reference check is part of the procedure.

This vacancy is open to internal and external candidates. In case of equal qualifications, internal candidates will be given priority.

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.