PhD: Understanding Amotivation in Young Psychosis: focusing Approach – Avoidance

Offer Description

In this project, the candidate will investigate how amotivation – a core negative symptom of psychosis – emerges and evolves over time in young people with early psychosis. Using epidemiological methods, experience sampling and experimental tasks assessing approach‑avoidance tendencies, the candidate will gain a deeper understanding of the processes underlying amotivation.

A key responsibility, together with a second PhD student, will be to recruit patients with early psychosis and develop new tasks assessing approach‑avoidance using Virtual Reality and experimental manipulation of fear and reward learning.

This position is part of a recently funded, large‑scale and innovative research program, aimed at creating new treatments for negative symptoms, among the most challenging aspects of psychiatric care. The candidate will collaborate closely with other PhD students and research assistants involved in this overarching program. Insights from both qualitative and quantitative work will inform the development of novel interventions.

The candidate will join a dynamic, interdisciplinary team of clinical psychologists, experimental psychologists, psychiatrists, and statisticians, working in an environment that fosters collaboration and scientific excellence.

• Recruit patients with early psychosis
• Develop new tasks assessing approach‑avoidance using Virtual Reality and experimental manipulation of fear and reward learning
• Conduct epidemiological studies, experience sampling, and experimental tasks
• Collaborate with other PhD students, research assistants, and interdisciplinary team members
• Analyze qualitative and quantitative data to inform novel interventions

The candidate is resident in psychiatry or has a master’s degree in psychology or a related field (Mental Health, Psychiatry, Social/Health Sciences) and has demonstrated research interest. Previous experience with or knowledge of fear/reward learning paradigms, the experience sampling method and literature on psychosis or youth mental health is a plus. Also, the candidate should have good written and oral command of Dutch and English (C1 proficiency level).

For this application, the following information will be considered:

• Cover Letter (describing your motivation, research career goals, skills, and experience)
• CV
• Diploma and transcripts of records (BSc and MSc)
• Contact details of at least two reference persons
• Other information for consideration (e.g., a list of publications if applicable)

Please use the university’s job portal when applying for this position.

A contract for one year will be offered, which is renewable for another three years after a positive evaluation. Salaries for PhD students are competitive by international standards. The starting date is flexible, but no later than the first of July 2026 (or as fitting within the individual program of residents in psychiatry). Interviews will be held on March 30 and April 2.