PhD position in the field of Organizational Behavior

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PhD

PhD position in the field of Organizational Behavior

Deze vacature is alleen beschikbaar in het Engels

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.

Faculty of Economics and Business
Solliciteer uiterlijk: 5 October 2026 23:59 Dutch local time
1 fte
€3.204 - €4.051

PhD position in the field of Organizational Behavior

Solliciteer nu
afbeelding van medewerkers

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.
afbeelding van medewerkers

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.

De Faculteit Economie en Bedrijfskunde (FEB) heeft ongeveer 7.000 studenten en 700 medewerkers die samen een informele, persoonlijke en inspirerende academische gemeenschap vormen. We bieden een ambitieuze, open en dynamische werkomgeving die zowel studenten als medewerkers stimuleert om te blijven innoveren. Ongeveer 25% van onze studenten en 35% van onze medewerkers komt uit het buitenland, wat bijdraagt aan een internationale sfeer. Met accreditaties van zowel EQUIS als AACSB behoort FEB tot de top 1% van business schools wereldwijd. Bij FEB geloven we in connecting for impact: we brengen studenten, academici en externe belanghebbenden samen om gezamenlijk een positieve invloed uit te oefenen op regionale, nationale en mondiale economische en bedrijfskundige vraagstukken, zowel in de wetenschap als in de samenleving. Wil je meer weten over de Faculteit Economie en Bedrijfskunde? Kijk dan op 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. 

Application procedure

Step 1: Jouw sollicitatie

Nadat je jouw sollicitatie hebt ingediend, ontvang je een bevestiging per mail.

Step 2: Selectie

De selectiecommissie beoordeelt je sollicitatie en laat je zo spoedig mogelijk weten of je wordt uitgenodigd voor een gesprek.

Step 3: Eerste gesprek

We leren elkaar graag beter kennen tijdens een eerste gesprek, dat zowel online als op locatie kan plaatsvinden.

Step 4: Tweede gesprek en mogelijk assessment of gastcollege

Mogelijk plannen we nog een tweede gesprek met je in. Dit gesprek kan, afhankelijk van de functie, worden aangevuld met een assessment of gastcollege.

Step 5: Het arbeidsvoorwaardengesprek

Na een positief gesprek, nemen we samen de arbeidsvoorwaarden door. Als alles rond is, heten we je van harte welkom bij de Rijksuniversiteit 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).
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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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