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PhD Position: Keep calm and breathe through it: The effects and mechanisms of slow breathing on stress recovery

  • //applyindex.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/belgium.png Belgium
  • University/Institute Name KU Leuven
  • Attendance Type On Campus (Full Time)
  • Position DurationSee Position Description
  • Position Funding Type PhD Research Funding
  • Application deadlineMarch 23, 2026
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Position Details (PhD Research Project)

The Research Group Health Psychology at the Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, KU Leuven aims at unravelling how psychological and somatic variables interact in health and disease from a biopsychosocial perspective. Both fundamental and applied research is being conducted to understand how interoceptive sensations are modulated by cognitive, emotional, social, neural and learning processes, thereby contributing to the initiation and maintenance of chronic somatic symptoms, illness and disability. Key words in our group are “dyspnea (breathlessness)”, “pain”, “psychophysiology”, “stress”, “interoception” and “symptom perception”. The prevailing research paradigm is the controlled experiment. Measurements typically include a combination of self-reports, psychophysiological/neural responses, clinical outcome measures and/or behavioural data. The ultimate goal is to apply the gathered knowledge in the assessment and early identification of those people at risk, and in the development of customized cognitive-behavioural interventions in the pursuit of prevention and treatment of chronic somatic complaints. Much of the research is conducted in a collaborative, interdisciplinary context. The group has strong connections with other international research groups and with clinical partners such as the University Hospital Leuven.
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Project

Regulating and paying attention to one’s breathing is a hallmark of various practices (e.g., yoga, singing, meditation) and interventions (e.g., mindfulness, heart rate variability biofeedback) that promote health and well-being. In particular, research shows that slowing down your breath to a rhythm of 6 breaths per minute is a powerful strategy to achieve a sense of relaxation and wellbeing.
At the same time, being able to quickly recover after an acute stressor is a crucial factor in long-term resilience, protecting from a range of negative outcomes. The aim of this research project is to investigate whether and how slow breathing may be able to boost stress recovery. The project will study recovery outcomes both immediately after a slow breathing exercise, and as a long-term effect of daily practice of slow breathing. The PhD student will carry out several experimental studies testing the effects of slow breathing on self-reported stress, peripheral physiological responses, and neural dynamics using EEG. Apart from the acquisition and statistical analysis of the data, the PhD student will report the results in international peer-reviewed journals and at scientific conferences. The conducted line of experimental studies will result in a PhD thesis that will be defended by the end of the research project.

Profile

- You obtained a Master’s Degree in psychology (or will obtain such degree no later than 5/07/2026)
- You obtained good grades during your study trajectory
- You have a strong affinity with research on stress, stress reduction interventions, and/or symptom perception.
- You have a strong interest and/or background in psychophysiology and experimental studies
- You possess excellent data analytic skills
- You have excellent communicative skills in English (both verbally and academic writing)
- You are a team player who can also work independently
- You have strong organizational skills, are flexible and proactive
- You are not afraid of challenges and have a drive to learn
- You think analytically, critically and have a curious mind

Offer

- Full-time PhD position in a 4-year research project
- Duration of contract: 1-year fulltime PhD position, extendable to 4 years (upon positive evaluation after 1 year)
- Excellent working conditions: https://www.kuleuven.be/personeel/jobsite/phd/phd-informatie; Remuneration in Salary scale 43
- Professional development via the KU Leuven doctoral school program and YouReCa (https://research.kuleuven.be/en/career/youreca), participation in (inter)national conferences, workshops, teaching, and working in a creative, interdisciplinary environment where cross-fertilization between clinical practice and science is highly valued

Interested?

Interviews will take place in April. Foreseen start date of the position is between May 1st - Oct 15th.

For more information please contact Prof. Dr. Ilse Van Diest, mail: [emailprotected] or Dr. Valentina Jelinčić, mail: [emailprotected]

KU Leuven strives for an inclusive, respectful and socially safe environment. We embrace diversity among individuals and groups as an asset. Open dialogue and differences in perspective are essential for an ambitious research and educational environment. In our commitment to equal opportunity, we recognize the consequences of historical inequalities. We do not accept any form of discrimination based on, but not limited to, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, ethnic or national background, skin colour, religious and philosophical diversity, neurodivergence, employment disability, health, or socioeconomic status. For questions about accessibility or support offered, we are happy to assist you at this email address.

Research Areas & Fields of Study involved in the position

Position Start Date

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