Professor of Social Decision-Making

Applying is possible up to and including: 23 October 2026

Institute of Psychology, Leiden University

Are you a leading researcher in social decision-making, ready to help shape the future of a thriving unit? The Social, Economic, and Organisational Psychology (SEO) unit is looking for a professor to help drive its research, teaching, and societal impact forward.

What you will do
The research within this chair focuses on the fundamental mechanisms underlying social decision-making, with particular attention to interpersonal and/or intergroup processes – such as cooperation and conflict, trust and distrust, justice and fairness, social and economic inequality, power and status, stress and resilience, and group dynamics and social influence. The chair complements the two existing chairs within SEO:
Social Cognition and Decision Making (Lotte van Dillen ) and Economic Psychology and its Applications (Wilco van Dijk ).

You will play a central role in three areas: research, teaching, and leadership.

You lead a research programme of high scientific quality and broad societal relevance that fits this profile, and take a leading role in the strategic development of research lines of the SEO unit.

You actively secure external funding, supervise PhD candidates, and support colleagues in strengthening their research skills.

You develop and deliver high-quality teaching within the bachelor's, master's, and/or research master's programmes in Psychology, and contribute to the strategic development of existing and new teaching programmes.

You use a connective leadership style that brings people, ideas, and initiatives together, and actively contribute to a healthy, stimulating work climate where colleagues have room to develop and grow.

You actively advocate the principles of Open Science and Recognition & Rewards (see the Leiden Academia in Motion programme), and help strengthen a work culture centred on Team Science and interdisciplinary collaboration.

You take on governance and leadership roles within the section, institute, faculty, and/or university.

Where you will work
The Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences consists of five institutes: the Centre for Science and Technology Studies, Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology, Education and Child Studies, Political Science, and Psychology. The faculty is home to approximately 7,000 students and 1,000 staff members. Our institutes are dedicated not only to education but also to groundbreaking research that expands our understanding of human behavior and societal structures.

What makes our faculty unique is the diversity of research topics, the variety of teaching approaches, and the structure of professional support. This provides you with the opportunity to explore and develop your interests and expertise. For an introduction to our faculty, visit our website:
Welcome to the Leiden Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences – Leiden University .

The Institute of Psychology trains new generations of students to address the challenges of our society, both now and in the future, through leading behavioral science research and education. This is achieved through collaboration, both within and outside the institute, in the field of psychology and related research areas, covering both fundamental and applied aspects. The broad bachelor’s program and a wide range of master’s specializations further contribute to this mission.

Within the institute and the academic community, a dedicated and passionate atmosphere prevails. The themes of Health and Wellbeing, Social-Cognitive-Affective Decision Making, Development and Learning, and Advanced Behavioral Science Methods guide both research and education. The institute places great importance on fostering a…