PhD position TILBURG UNIVERSITY

PhD position
TILBURG UNIVERSITY
Tilburg University is an institution of higher education, located in the south of the Netherlands that specializes in human and social sciences. Tilburg University is known for its high standards in education and research as well as its excellent support facilities. The compact campus offers ample opportunity to meet staff and students. The student population is slightly over 11,000; with an increasing number of international students.

FACULTY OF SOCIAL AND BEHAVIOURAL SCIENCES
Tilburg University is a modern, specialized university. The teaching and research of the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences are organized around the themes of Health, Organization, and Relations between State, Citizen, and Society. The faculty’s inspiring working environment challenges its workers to realize their ambitions; involvement and cooperation are essential to achieve this.

DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENTAL, CLINICAL AND CROSSCULTURAL PSYCHOLOGY
The section Pediatric Psychology of the Department of Developmental, Clinical and Crosscultural Psychology at Tilburg University is interested in research into the effects of prenatal risk factors, in particular maternal stress, anxiety, smoking, and alcohol or drug use during pregnancy, on children’s cognitive and brain development.
The department is looking for for a competent and enthusiast candidate for:

PhD position (M/F),
1.0 fte, for a period of 1+3 years
vacancy number 400.08.13

TITLE OF THE PHD-PROJECT
“Effects of maternal stress, smoking and use of other stimulants during pregnancy on children’s neurocognitive functioning”

JOB DESCRIPTION
In collaboration with the prospective cohort Amsterdam Born Children and their Development (ABCD) study of the Municipal Health Service (GGD) Amsterdam, Free University(VU) Medical Centre Amsterdam and Academic Medical Center (AMC) Amsterdam, the children will be tested in 2008 and 2009 when they are 5 years of age. In collaboration with three other AIOs of the GGD Amsterdam, the candidate will collect metabolic and cardiovascular data and neurocognitive test data at schools in and around Amsterdam. The candidate will focus on the neurocognitive test data and will relate these data to maternal stress and smoking during pregnancy. The results will be published by the candidate in international scientificjournals, The study is expected to result in a Ph.D. thesis. Because the data collection will take place in Amsterdam, the candidate will be expected to perform this first part of the study at the GGD Amsterdam.

REQUIREMENTS
We are looking for a highly motivated Ph.D. student who has:

A master degree in Psychology, Cognitive Neuroscience, or a related discipline
Experience with designing and conducting human cognitive experimental studies
Experience with statistical analyses
Experience with child testing
A keen interest in theories of the fetal origins of child and adult disease
Good organization, social and communication skills
Excellent written and oral language skills in Dutch and English
TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT
Tilburg University is among the top of the Dutch employers and has an excellent policy concerning terms of employment. The job is initially for one year, but the purpose is to extend the contract with three years, depending on the performance in the first year. The gross salary starts with € 2000,- (full-time) per month in the first year, up to € 2558,- in the last year.