Last application date Jan 31, 2025 00:00
Department PP09 - Department of Work, Organisation and Society
Contract Limited duration
Degree: Master's degree in Psychology, Economics or Applied Economics, Business Administration, Business Engineering, Communication Sciences, Sociology or related
Occupancy rate 100%
Vacancy type Research staff
Job description
Questionnaires, in which respondents report on their attitudes, feelings, perceptions, intentions, personality traits, etc., are commonly used tools in business contexts. This research focuses on mapping the psychometric properties (reliability, validity, dimensionality, etc.) of scales used in questionnaires, with the goal of enhancing methodological insights into questionnaire design and interpretation. Research questions may include the implications of wording scale items and response options for the psychometric properties of Likert scales and how these evolve over time. The project will also explore innovative ways to develop scales, including the use of AI, and their impact on psychometric properties.
The successful candidate will have the opportunity to contribute to the further development of psychometric theory and its practical application in survey research. A dual PhD degree in Psychological Sciences and Applied Economic Sciences will be awarded upon successful completion.
This PhD project will be supervised by several research groups:
Prof. Dr. Bert Weijters – Research group ‘Consumer Behavior’, Department of Work, Organisation and Society (Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Ghent University)
Prof. Dr. Anneleen Van Kerckhove – Research group ‘Consumer Behavior’, Department of Marketing, Innovation, and Organisation (Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, Ghent University)
Prof. Dr. Elke Cabooter – Research group ‘Marketing’, Iéseg School of Management, Lille
Job Responsibilities
The successful candidate will:
Further develop and carry out at least three sub-studies as part of this project.
Write, present, and publish scientific, English-language articles based on the research leading to a doctoral dissertation.
Function effectively within the involved research groups and departments and perform associated tasks.
Job Responsibilities
The successful candidate will:
Further develop and carry out at least three sub-studies as part of this project.
Write, present, and publish scientific, English-language articles based on the research leading to a doctoral dissertation.
Function effectively within the involved research groups and departments and perform associated tasks.
Our Offer
We offer a full-time position as a PhD researcher, consisting of an initial 12-month period, which, after a positive evaluation, will be extended to a total of 48 months (1 year + 3 years).
The start date is expected to be no earlier than March 1, 2025, but preferably the start takes place by September 1, 2025.