Sign In
Sign Up

PhD Research: Supporting Students in Their Higher Education Decision-Making Process

  • //applyindex.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/belgium.png Belgium
  • University/Institute Name KU Leuven
  • Attendance Type On Campus (Full Time)
  • Position Funding Type Research Assistantship (RA)
  • Application deadlineAugust 19, 2025
Apply
Get Letter of Motivation (LOM)

Position Details (PhD Research Project)

The Research Unit School Psychology and Development in Context (KU Leuven) and the Department of Training and Educational Sciences of the Faculty of Social Sciences, research group Edubron (University of Antwerp), are offering a full-time PhD fellowship in the domain of Psychology and Educational Sciences (joint doctoral degree). The focus is on research into the role of the social context (i.e., parents and peers) in the higher education decision-making process and the effectiveness of school-based guidance using Columbus.
Columbus is an online feedback tool that helps students in the final years of secondary education make well-informed study choices for higher education. The tool provides insights into personal interests, abilities, study skills, and motivation, and encourages reflection on who they are, what they can do, and what they want (https://www.exploratietoolcolumbus.be/). This research is part of an FWO-SBO research project (FWO reference number S002426N), a collaboration between the University of Antwerp, KU Leuven, Ghent University, and Artevelde University of Applied Sciences. The goal is to strengthen the higher education decision-making process through online self-assessment feedback and effective career guidance via Columbus.
This PhD research focuses on the role of the social context in the decision-making process. The main objectives are:
(a) to study the role of perceived support from parents and peers (e.g., involvement, autonomy support, interference) in the decision-making process and its outcomes,
(b) to investigate the effectiveness of a school-based career guidance intervention that helps students clarify and strengthen their values and goals; this (micro-)intervention supports the Columbus orientation tool,
(c) to examine whether the effect of the intervention varies depending on the perceived support from parents and peers. The PhD student will collaborate with a research associate for the development and implementation of the intervention.

Website unit

Project

• You will prepare a PhD in the domain of psychology and educational sciences within four years.
• You will coordinate longitudinal and intervention research on the role of the social context (support from parents and peers) and school-based career guidance in the decision-making process of students at the end of secondary education. This includes recruiting schools and students, designing questionnaires, coordinating data collection, and conducting advanced statistical analyses.
• You will publish findings in international peer-reviewed journals and present them at national and international conferences.
• You will actively collaborate with the project team on the valorization and dissemination of research results, including professional development initiatives and science communication. You will work with a panel of field experts for the development and implementation of the intervention.
• You will take on a limited number of teaching support tasks for the Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences at KU Leuven.

Profile

• You hold a Master’s degree in Psychology, Educational Sciences, or Training and Educational Sciences, obtained no later than the start of the appointment.
• You have a strong interest in educational research and school psychology, particularly in career guidance and the transition to higher education. You are eager to explore the role of the social context in decision-making processes and how to strengthen students’ decision-making.
• You have excellent academic results, graduating with at least distinction.
• You have experience with quantitative data analysis and software (e.g., SPSS, JASP, R) and are willing to further develop these skills.
• You have excellent oral and written communication skills in both Dutch and English.
• You are interested in translating research into educational practice and can clearly explain complex research findings to diverse audiences.
• You work with a focus on quality, integrity, creativity, and collaboration. You have strong organizational skills, essential for managing complex data collection in schools.
• You are willing to conduct at least six months of research at the partner institution (University of Antwerp) during the project. This can be arranged flexibly, e.g., one day per week at the partner institution.

Offer

• A doctoral scholarship for one year, renewable for three additional years upon positive evaluation.
• The anticipated start date is October 1 or no later than November 1, 2025.
• Your monthly scholarship will be calculated according to the rates for PhD fellows in the Special Academic Staff salary scales.
• You will work primarily on the KU Leuven campus, in the School Psychology and Development in Context research unit—a dynamic, supportive, and warm work environment.
• You will collaborate with other (PhD) researchers and valorization staff in an interuniversity consortium and maintain close contact with educational practice through, among others, the expert panel.
• You will have the opportunity to make a difference for students and schools by sharing innovative scientific insights and helping to strengthen career guidance.
• In addition to your salary, KU Leuven offers additional benefits such as hospitalization insurance, reimbursement of commuting costs by public transport, a KU Leuven bicycle, eco vouchers, telework facilities, etc.

Interested?

• A doctoral scholarship for one year, renewable for three additional years upon positive evaluation.
• The anticipated start date is October 1 or no later than November 1, 2025.
• Your monthly scholarship will be calculated according to the rates for PhD fellows in the Special Academic Staff salary scales.
• You will work primarily on the KU Leuven campus, in the School Psychology and Development in Context research unit—a dynamic, supportive, and warm work environment.
• You will collaborate with other (PhD) researchers and valorization staff in an interuniversity consortium and maintain close contact with educational practice through, among others, the expert panel.
• You will have the opportunity to make a difference for students and schools by sharing innovative scientific insights and helping to strengthen career guidance.
• In addition to your salary, KU Leuven offers additional benefits such as hospitalization insurance, reimbursement of commuting costs by public transport, a KU Leuven bicycle, eco vouchers, telework facilities, etc.

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

Educational Psychology Higher Education Social Psychology

Position Start Date

Check Position Description