A data-driven approach to understand stress contagion

DTU, The Technical University of Denmark, Centre for Technology Entrepreneurship invites applicants for a 3-year PhD position on “A data-driven approach to understand stress contagion”, starting on 1 May 2023 (or as soon as possible thereafter).

The overall goal of this PhD project is to understand the mechanisms of social stress contagion within entrepreneurial settings using a data-driven approach.

Mental health is as essential for knowledge work in the 21st century as physical health was for physical labour in the past. For entrepreneurs in particular, creativity, ingenuity, planning, analysis, and other executive functions are often the cognitive cornerstones of breakthrough value creation. Even though entrepreneurs seem to cope well with stress over shorter periods, chronic stress can lead to depressions and burnout, co-founder conflict, and a toxic company culture. We see initial evidence that stress and other mental helth problems are contagious among individuals. However, we have not fully understood yet, how and when stress is contagious between people or how it can be prevented. The aim of this PhD project is fill this gap using a data-driven approach. Advances in digital technologies and data analytics have created unparalleled opportunities to assess the impact of stress and stress contagion, and accelerate the ability of science to understand and contribute to improved mental health outcomes.

Within an experimental approach, you will first aim at identifying the contagion effects of stress through social interactions using physiological data. In a next step, you will assess the magnitude of social stress contagion based on duration, frequency and intensity of interpersonal relationships in venture teams, applying machine learning methods to social media data. The ultimate goal is to build and test a model for continuous early stress detection that will help develop resilience and prevention strategies for stress contagion.

You will be a member of the Psychology in Entrepreneurship group within the Centre for Technology Entrepreneurship at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU). You will work under the supervision of Associate Professors Carina Lomberg and Lars Alkærsig.

Responsibilities and qualifications
Your primary tasks will be to

• Design and conduct experiments based on physiological data
• Analyse the collected data using state-of-the-art methods
• Design, implement and thoroughly test model-based machine learning approaches for assessing the magnitude of stress contagion
• Collaborate with researchers within an interdisciplinary environment
• Write academic papers aimed at high-impact journals
• Participate in international conferences and workshops
• Disseminate research results and teach as part of the overall PhD education

You must have a two-year master’s degree (120 ECTS points) or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a two-year master’s degree.

Approval and Enrolment
The scholarship for the PhD degree is subject to academic approval, and the candidate will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes at DTU. For information about our enrolment requirements and the general planning of the PhD study programme, please see DTU’s rules for the PhD education.

Assessment
The assessment of the applicants will be made by Associates Professors Carina Lomberg and Lars Alkærsig.

We offer
DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.

Salary and appointment terms
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union. The period of employment is 3 years. Starting date is 1 May 2023 (or according to mutual agreement). The position is a full-time position.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here.

Further information
For more information, please contact Carina Lomberg at [email protected].

You can read more about the about DTU Entrepreneurship: www.entrepreneurship.dtu.dk/english.

If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark. Furthermore, you have the option of joining our monthly free seminar “PhD relocation to Denmark and startup “Zoom” seminar” for all questions regarding the practical matters of moving to Denmark and working as a PhD at DTU.

Application procedure
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 15 January 2023 (Danish time). Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link “Apply online”, fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file. The file must include:

• A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
• Curriculum vitae
• Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma (in English) including official description of grading scale

You may apply prior to ob­tai­ning your master’s degree but cannot begin before having received it.

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, disability, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.