PhD student in Psychology (C)

The Department of Psychology is a creative and international workplace for research and education. The Department of Psychology conducts successful research in occupational and organisational psychology, clinical psychology, cognitive psychology, perception and psychophysics, personality, social and developmental psychology, psychobiology and epidemiology.

Our researchers publish regularly in international journals and actively participate as experts in the media. We collaborate extensively with external organisations and we have a constant exchange of visiting students and researchers from all over the world. As a researcher with us, you will have access to modern research infrastructure. We have a recording studio, advanced laboratories for sleep and sensory research, and large databases that enable complex studies over time. We also collaborate with the Stockholm University Brain Imaging Centre, offering state-of-the-art imaging technologies, including MRI, EEG and TMS.

For more information about us, please visit the Department of Psychology.

Project description

The impact of social context on improving intergroup relations. The recent increase in intergroup conflicts emphasizes the importance of finding ways to improve relations between members of adversary groups. Accordingly, social psychologists have developed evidence-based intergroup interventions aimed at improving intergroup attitudes and behaviours towards outgroups. Even though intervention effectiveness and outcomes depend on the context in which people live, most empirical research on intergroup interventions has ignored the impact of the social context. The overarching aim of this proposal is to systematically examine the influence of critical contextual features on effectiveness, processes and durability of intergroup interventions with a particular focus on the role of social norms.

The project will include large-scale longitudinal (online and field) experiments to be conducted in different European countries affected or threatened by conflict. Data will be gathered from representative, heterogenous and large samples to enable generalizability. Data will be analyzed using multi-level analyses, compared across different social contexts and over time. The overarching goal of this project is to identify effective intergroup interventions tailored to diverse social contexts, differing in both the type and intensity of relevant social norms. Required conditions for this position include: strong interest in intergroup relations, experience in designing and conducting large-scale online and/or field experiments (ideally with repeated-measures design), advanced statistical analyses, excellent English language skills, solution-focused and ambitious work style. The PhD candidate will work in close collaboration with an Advisory Board consisting of world-renowned scholars working on conflict resolution and intergroup reconciliation.

For more information about the project, please contact project leader Sabina Cehajic-Clancy, sabina.cehajic-clancy@psychology.su.se.

Qualification requirements

In order to be admitted to postgraduate education, the applicant must have the general and specific entry requirements. The qualification requirements must be met by the deadline for applications.

You meet general entry requirements if you have completed a second-cycle degree, or completed courses equivalent to at least 240 higher education credits, of which 60 credits must be in the second cycle, or have otherwise acquired equivalent knowledge in Sweden or elsewhere.

You meet specific entry requirements if you have at least 90 credits at first or second cycle in psychology or other education relevant to the subject of the thesis, of which at least 15 credits shall be independent work (thesis), or otherwise domestically or internationally acquired equivalent knowledge. The student must also have such knowledge of English that allows the study of English-language research literature.

The specific entry requirements are described in the General syllabus for doctoral studies in psychology.

Selection

In the selection process, attention will be paid to previous academic merits and an assessment will be made of the applicant's ability to benefit from the doctoral program. This assessment will be based primarily on (1) the previous thesis/publication to be submitted with the application, and (2) other educational and professional qualifications, including previous publications (CV).

Please see the Department’s application guidelines for further information and application instructions.

Admission Regulations for Doctoral Studies at Stockholm University.

About the employment

We offer a fixed-term employment as a doctoral student according to Chapter 5 of the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100). The period of employment may not be longer than what corresponds to full-time doctoral education for four years. As a doctoral student, you should primarily devote yourself to your own doctoral education, but the employment may include work with education, research and administration to a limited extent (maximum 20 %).

A new employment as a doctoral student is for a maximum of one year, the employment is then renewed for a maximum of two years at a time.

Stockholm University strives to be a workplace free from discrimination and with equal opportunities for all.

Contact

For general information about the Department of Psychology and the doctoral program, please contact the Head of PhD Program, Mats Nilsson, phone: +46 8 16 46 05, mats.nilsson@psychology.su.se.

Application

You apply for the PhD position via the Stockholm University recruitment system. Attach a cover letter, CV and your own work (e.g. master's thesis), as well as other attachments requested in the application form. For more information, please see the Department’s application guidelines.

You as the applicant are responsible for ensuring that the application is complete in accordance with the advertisement and that it is received by the university no later than the application deadline.

The instructions for applicants are available at: How to apply for a position.