PhD position in the field of Organizational Behavior
Solliciteer nuPhD position in the field of Organizational Behavior
The Faculty of Economics and Business offers an inspiring study and working environment for students and employees. International accreditation enables the Faculty to assess performance against the highest international standards. It also creates an exciting environment of continuous improvement. FEB’s programs, academic staff, and research do well on various excellence ranking lists.
The Faculty of Economics and Business has one PhD position available in the field of Organizational Behavior. The position is embedded in FEBRI, the Faculty’s research institute.
PhD position in the field of Organizational Behavior
Solliciteer nu
What are you going to do?
The PhD project is part of a recently awarded NWO SSH Open Competition L grant to the supervisors Prof. Floor Rink, Prof. Janka Stoker, and Prof. Michelle Ryan, entitled “Beyond access: A career trajectory perspective on gender equality at the top” (NWO 406.L.25EB.013). Women’s representation in senior leadership is increasing, yet gender inequality at the top persists. This PhD project moves beyond the question of how women gain access to senior positions and examines what happens next. You will study whether women and men follow different career trajectories after their first senior leadership appointment, with particular attention to exits from leadership and subsequent moves into new roles. The project asks whether, and when, apparently voluntary exits may reflect pressure or constrained choice; whether such exit experiences differ by gender; and whether leaders’ next appointments represent upward, lateral, or downward leadership moves. The project further aims to identify conditions that stabilize (or destabilize) men’s and women’s leadership careers over time. You will develop the studies in close collaboration with the supervisory team. To study the research questions, we will collect and integrate media data on the exits and reappointments of executive leaders with longitudinal quantitative career data. The aim is to produce a PhD dissertation that advances theory on gendered patterns in leadership while generating evidence relevant to organizations and policymakers.
Who are you?
The ideal candidate is ambitious, highly motivated, and eager to develop as an interdisciplinary social science researcher at the intersection of psychology, management, and economics, while contributing to a pressing societal issue: gender inequality in leadership careers. Our ideal PhD candidate:
- Holds, or is close to completing, an MSc degree (or equivalent) in psychology, business or management, economics, or a closely related field, with excellent academic results.
- Has a demonstrated interest in one or more of the following areas: gender inequality; workforce diversity and inclusion; leadership; career trajectories and mobility; or societal and institutional responses to equality initiatives.
- Has strong quantitative research skills and experience working with panel data and/or archival datasets and likes using multiple methods and data sources.
- Has proficiency in at least one statistical or programming environment (e.g., R, Python, Stata, or MATLAB).
- Is fluent in English, both written and spoken.
- Has familiarity with Dutch corporate firms, the labor-market, policy context, and has preferably proficiency in Dutch.
What can you expect from us?
- In accordance with the collective labor agreement for Dutch universities, we offer a salary of at least € 3.204 up to a maximum of € 4.051 (promovendus) gross per month for a full-time employment contract.
- 232 vacation hours per year, based on a 38-hour workweek (1.0 FTE). You can also work more or fewer hours in exchange for more or fewer free hours. For example, with a 40-hour workweek, you save 96 extra free hours, and with a 36-hour workweek, you lose 96 hours.
- End-of-year bonus of 8.3% and 8% holiday allowance.
- Extensive opportunities for personal and professional development.
- Four years with a go/no go evaluation after one year. The PhD candidate will devote 20% of the appointment to teaching in years 2–4. The first phase of the procedure consists of an interview with a selective number of applicants. The second phase may include a request for a short research proposal or an assessment involving psychological tests. The starting date is 1 January 2027.
Where will you be working?
At the University of Groningen (UG), researchers from all fields of academia and technology are working on academic challenges and societal questions. Lecturers prepare their students for meaningful careers within or outside the academic world. Interdisciplinary research and teaching, sharing of knowledge, collaboration with businesses, government institutions, and societal organizations are aspects that are of the utmost importance to this European top university. The UG aims to be an open academic community with an inclusive and safe working climate that invites you to add your value.
The Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB) has about 7,000 students and 700 staff, who make up an informal, personal, and inspiring academic community. We offer an ambitious, open, and dynamic working environment that encourages both students and staff to keep innovating. Approximately 25% of our students and 35% of our staff come from abroad, contributing to an international atmosphere. With EQUIS and AACSB accreditations, FEB is among the top 1% of business schools worldwide. At FEB, we believe in connecting for impact: we bring together students, academics, and external stakeholders to collectively make a positive influence on regional, national, and global economic and business issues, both in academia and society. If you would like to learn more about the Faculty of Economics and Business, visit rug.nl/feb.
You will be employed by the University of Groningen in the Department of Human Resource Management and Organizational Behavior (HRM & OB) at the Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB, EQUIS/AACSB accredited). The department has a strong international research profile in leadership, diversity, careers, teams, creativity, and related topics, combining rigorous behavioral research with engagement in organizational and societal questions. FEB provides a strong research environment for this project. FEBRI and the Graduate School of Economics and Business offer extensive PhD training, access to archival datasets and analytical tools, and advanced experimental and field research infrastructures. The project also connects to FEB’s Leadership & Governance strategic theme and to the expertisecenter In the LEAD, creating opportunities to engage with researchers and societal partners working on leadership and governance.
Floor Rink is affiliated with the University of Groningen full-time. Janka Stoker and Michelle Ryan hold chairs at Aarhus University and the National Australian University respectively, but each have a part-time appointment at the University of Groningen. Through the supervisory team’s international embeddedness, you will be part of a broad, interdisciplinary scholarly network, with opportunities for research exchanges abroad if fitting with the project.
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Application procedure
After submitting your application, you will receive a confirmation by email.
The selection committee assesses your application and you will be notified as soon as possible whether you are invited for an interview.
We would like to get to know each other better in a first interview, which can take place either online or on location.
We may schedule a second interview with you. Depending on the position, this interview can be complemented with an assessment or guest lecture.
After a positive interview, we will discuss the terms of employment together. When everything is completed, we are happy to welcome you at the University of Groningen!
Interested?
Does this vacancy appeal to you? If so, click on the button below and apply straightaway.
Please add the following documents to your application:
- CV.
- Motivation letter.
- Scan of diploma and transcripts.
- Proof of English proficiency.
- Master’s thesis.
- Publications (if available).
Do you have any questions or need more information?
-
Questions about the content of the job?
Rina Koning
Policy Officer
A.C.Koning@rug.nl -
Questions about your application process?
Rina Koning
Policy Officer
A.C.Koning@rug.nl
Information about applying
When scheduling meetings, we will take your schedule into account as much as possible.
The University of Groningen considers social safety important. We strive to be a university where staff and students feel respected and at home, regardless of differences in background, experiences, perspectives, and identity. For more information, see also our page about our diversity policy.
Acquisition is not appreciated.
Our selection procedure follows the guidelines of the NVP Application Code.
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