项目介绍

2026年5月25日

The research unit School Psychology and Development in Context studies developmental processes and influencing factors from early childhood to late adulthood. Particular attention is paid to the role of social contexts, such as schools, families, and peer systems. The research unit consists of 7 professors, 8 postdoctoral researchers, 15 PhD students, 4 research staff members, and 3 teaching assistants.

Unit website

Project

We are looking for a motivated colleague who will conduct doctoral research in the field of school psychology, under the supervision of Professor Jantine Spilt and Professor Hilde Colpin. This research focuses on the psychosocial development of children and adolescents in the school context, and on the role of teacher-student relationships and peer relationships in that development. As a member of the assistant academic staff (AAP; 6 years), you will spend two thirds of your time on doctoral research and one third on teaching.
Your research will be embedded in a research programme on teacher-student relationships and peer relationships as contexts for adolescents’ psychosocial development at school. More specifically, within this programme we study the unique and combined influences of teacher-student relationships and peer relationships on young people’s behaviour and well-being, as well as the mechanisms underlying these influences. Various aspects of teacher-student and peer relationships at both the individual and classroom level are examined, such as closeness and conflict between students and their teacher, acceptance, rejection and victimisation by peers, and friendships. The developmental outcomes under study include both positive outcomes (e.g. prosocial behaviour) and problems (e.g. aggressive behaviour, low well-being). Within this research programme, you will be able, in consultation with the supervisors, to further define and refine your research topics. In doing so, you may draw on already collected longitudinal data from early adolescence. In addition, you may set up new studies.
With regard to teaching, you will help deliver practical sessions for the courses Developmental Psychology and Psychodiagnostics for students in the bachelor’s programmes in Psychology and Educational Sciences. In doing so, you will be part of motivated teaching teams. In addition to supervising students during practical sessions, you will also be involved in preparing and grading assignments and examinations. Over time, you may also contribute independently to the development of the teaching offer. Supervising master’s theses is also part of the role.

Profile

• You hold a master’s degree in Psychology or Educational Sciences; through this degree, you have acquired the necessary knowledge of developmental psychology and psychodiagnostics; master’s students who will graduate in September 2026 are also encouraged to apply; you achieved excellent academic results;
• You have excellent written and oral communication skills;
• You have a very good knowledge of statistical techniques, or you are willing to strengthen this knowledge through specialised training;
• You are able to teach in Dutch and also have a very good command of English;
• You are collegial and respectful, and you possess very good communication skills;
• You are independent, flexible, and have strong organisational skills;
• You are interested in studying the development of young people in the school context and the role of social relationships;
• You are interested in teaching bachelor’s students; you are accurate and have strong didactic skills.

Offer

• A full-time appointment as an assistent (member of the Assistant Academic Staff) for a period of two years, renewable twice following a positive evaluation, up to a total period of six years; a salary in accordance with KU Leuven salary scales (Assistant salary scale 43);
• A warm, supportive, intellectually stimulating, and dynamic working and learning environment, with many opportunities for growth and for the further development of your talents and interests;
• In terms of research: the opportunity to collaborate with other PhD researchers and to benefit from the expertise of other researchers within the research unit;
• In terms of teaching: support from a dedicated teaching team, and a well-guided induction period with the opportunity to attend lectures and participate in peer consultation;
• Opportunities for further professional development through the doctoral training programme, workshops, courses, seminars, and national and international conferences;
• Opportunities to take on valorisation activities (e.g. giving a lecture or training session on research within Praxis P, the faculty’s practice centre).

The intended start date is 1 October 2026.

Interested?

To apply, please submit the following:
Your CV, including an overview of your detailed study results and the names and email addresses of at least two academic referees;Your master’s thesis or another (published) article, if applicable;A motivation letter explaining your interest in this vacancy.
Following an initial selection based on the application files, shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview, which will take place on Monday 15 June.For more information please contact Prof. dr. Hilde Colpin, mail: hilde.colpin@kuleuven.be or Prof. dr. Jantine Spilt, mail: jantine.spilt@kuleuven.be.You can apply for this job no later than June 08, 2026 via the online application tool