Postdoc

Postdoc in Psychology

Post-doc Researcher

Postdoc in Psychology

We are forming a new interdisciplinary research team for the ERC-funded Synergy Grant project CrowdING . How do crowds suddenly start to queue, form lanes, or huddle together-and what makes them switch from one behaviour to another? A team of social psychologists, physicists and computer scientists from the Netherlands and Germany aims to answer that question. The research is supported by large-scale laboratory experiments with numerous test subjects, modern analysis methods, and powerful simulations of crowd behaviour. The project is a collaboration of the University of Groningen's Department of Social Psychology (see below) and Forschungszentrum Jülich's Institute for Advanced Simulation-7 .

There is an opportunity to join this new team as a postdoctoral researcher .

As a postdoctoral researcher, you will play a central role in the further development of social psychological research of crowd movement and/or in the integration of physics and social psychology of crowds in new models of crowd behaviour. You will develop your own research focus, support conceptual work, and contribute to scientific coordination within the project.

Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences

Closing date: 12 januari 2026

1 FTE

€3.546 - €5.538

Postdoc in Psychology

https://werkenbij.rug.nl/vacature/postdoc-in-psychology-1594/?langlang=en

What are you going to do?

Your responsibilities include:

• Further development and integration of social psychological approaches to the analysis of crowd dynamics.
• Scientific support for a doctoral project.
• Collaboration in the planning, implementation, and analysis of crowd experiments.
• Publication of research results in international journals.
• Presentations at international conferences and participation in project workshops in Wuppertal and Groningen (NL).
• Exchange and close cooperation with partners from physics, computer science, and social psychology.

Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences

Closing date: 12 januari 2026

€3.546 - €5.538

Who are you?

• Completed Master's degree followed by a doctorate in psychology or cognitive science.
• Research experience in the areas of crowds or group dynamics.
• Interest in collaborating with colleagues from the field of physics.
• Enjoyment of combining and expanding methodological approaches and developing new measures or models.
• Willingness to collaborate with doctoral students and interest in scientific supervision of doctoral students.
• Excellent command of the English language.
• Ability to work independently and manage joint research activities.
• A team player with strong communication skills.
• Demonstrable competences as conceptual capacity, environment orientation, presenting and result orientation.

Desirable skills, but not essential:

• Experience with agent-based modeling.
• Programming skills.

What can you expect from us?

• In accordance with the collective labor agreement for Dutch universities, we offer a salary of at least € 3.546 up to a maximum of € 5.538 (Schaal 10) 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.
• A temporary contract of 1.0 FTE for a period of 3 years. The intended starting date is April 1, 2026

Where will you be working?

At the University of Groningen (RUG), researchers across all branches of science and technology work on scientific challenges and societal issues. Lecturers train their students for meaningful careers in science or beyond. Interdisciplinary research and education, knowledge sharing, and collaboration with companies, government institutions, and societal organizations are highly valued at this top 100 university. RUG aims to be an open academic community with an inclusive and safe working environment that invites you to contribute your value.

The Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences (GMW) excels in research and teaching in the areas of behaviour, thinking, learning, and participation in society. More than 4,500 students and approximately 650 staff address social questions and challenges that people experience in daily life. Our core focus is on individual and societal resilience and how to strengthen it. We focus on current themes such as health and wellbeing, sustainable living, learning and development, inclusive society, safe and healthy upbringing, and work and collaboration. If you would like to learn more about the Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences, visit rug.nl/gmw .

The Department of Psychology has an excellent scientific reputation reflected, among others, in high rankings. The Social Psychology group is known for outstanding research in group processes (including collective action and crowd dynamics), inter-group relations, political and health psychology. This standing is reflected, among other things, in the impact of our research in the international academic community. But we also conduct highly impactful 'applied' work that focuses on some of the most pressing issues and topics nationally and regionally. Because of this, the group has established excellent connections with partners across the breadth of society. We offer teaching at all levels of the Bachelor and Master curriculum, including the faculty's Research Master of Behavioral and Social Science. For more information about the group, see https://www.rug.nl/gmw/research/psychology/research-units/social-psychology/

Application procedure

Step 1: Your application

After submitting your application, you will receive a confirmation by email.

Step 2: Selection

The selection committee assesses your application and you will receive a response at the latest two weeks after the closing date.

Step 3: First interview

We would like to get to know each other better in a first interview, which can take place either online or on location.

Step 4: Second interview and possible assessment or guest lecture

We may schedule a second interview with you. Depending on the position, this interview can be complemented with an assessment or guest lecture.

Step 5: Terms of employment meeting

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, cover letter

Tom Postmes

Questions about your application process?

Tom Postmes