PhD of Mixed Methods Research​/Junior Lecturer in Methodology and Statistics

PhD Candidate on The Future of Mixed Methods Research /Junior Lecturer in Methodology and Statistics

Tilburg University | Tilburg School of Social and Behavioral Sciences is looking for a PhD Candidate on The Future of Mixed Methods Research /Junior Lecturer in Methodology and Statistics, for the Department of Methodology and Statistics, location:
Tilburg, contract size: 1.0 fte (40 hours per week).

Your position

Research: The Future of Mixed Methods Research is Rigorous, Open, and Scaleable through Automation

There is a rapid increase in the uptake of mixed methods in psychology because it provides a more holistic understanding of complex psychosocial phenomena, advances the debate in idiographic versus nomothetic assessment, and refines the development of psychological theories.

Yet rigor is underdeveloped in psychological mixed methods research, it is unclear how methodological innovations from (mostly quantitatively driven) open science and new computational methods empower meticulous mixed methods research and there is an increased interest in automating or enhancing parts of the qualitative research using large language models or more interpretable natural language modelling approaches. Often it is proposed to replace human‑specific work, and empirical examinations that compare human and data‑driven decisions are scarce and rarely involve experts in qualitative methodology.

To meet these challenges, the proposed PhD candidate will:

• Reinterpret Open Science through a mixed methods lens, and develop tools to support researchers in opening their mixed methods pipelines
• Design methods mixed methods guidance to integrate natural language processing, computational data and traditional qualitative data to future‑proof mixed methods research
• Critically examine and empirically evaluate the role of newly developed interpretation, methods and tools in two challenging case studies:
  Using mixed methods for real world evidence, and using mixed methods to advance experience sampling methodology

Collectively, this PhD will contribute conceptual, empirical, and infrastructural advances to the future of mixed methods research in psychology.

You will work on a PhD project under the supervision of Dr. Tamarinde Haven, Dr. Marie Stadel and Dr. Caspar van Lissa. Your PhD research will focus on the future of mixed methods research. In consultation with the supervising team, you will have the opportunity to contribute directly to the scope of this research project based on your specific research interests, skills and career aspirations.

Teaching:
Your teaching responsibilities include giving tutorials/lectures and assisting lecturer teams in courses featured in the Bachelor and Master degree programs. As a junior teacher, you support senior teachers and offer guidance. You teach qualitative research methods and general courses in research methods in the programs in which the Methodology and Statistics department is involved. These include our Psychology and Social Sciences bachelors, our SBS and IDA research masters, the joint TU/e - TiU Data Science bachelor, the Data Science and Society master program, and the new AI for Psychological Research master.

You will also be invited to supervise Bachelor students in writing their theses. You will have the opportunity to obtain your university teaching qualification.

• A (Research) Master’s degree in Social and Behavioral Sciences with a focus on Methodology and Statistics.
• A proven research interest in and experience with qualitative and/or mixed methods research
• Proficiency in English is mandatory (CEFR : C2 level). Dutch teaching skills are appreciated but not required.
• Good research skills evidenced by good grades for research methods courses.
• Excellent data analytical skills, as evidenced by a good command of R and/or Python
• Experience with university-level teaching and genuine enthusiasm for teaching methodology and engaging students.
• A demonstrated affinity with Open Science.
• Enthusiastic, independent and strongly motivated.
• Team spirit.
• Willingness to work in a multidisciplinary social science environment.

Our offer
Tilburg University offers…