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Full Professor 'Clinical Developmental Psychology’

The full professor should be dedicated to the understanding of child and adolescent mental health, in particular at the interface of Developmental Psychopathology and Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology.

What you will do
The chair position is part of the Developmental and Educational unit and is embedded in the Learning and Development and Health and Wellbeing research programs of the Institute of Psychology at Leiden University. The research areas of the unit have a focus on the fundamental and applied study of behavioral and neurobiological mechanisms of social-cognitive development to foster adolescent healthy and optimal development in schools, clinical settings, and society at large. In concert with ongoing research within the unit the professorship is expected to strengthen the mutual connection between social/cognitive development and clinical child and adolescent psychology. The (inter)nationally unique and distinctive profile of this position will help to further develop research regarding development of psychopathology and ensuing clinical interventions, particularly in relation to social contexts, across a broad age range spanning from childhood to young adulthood, and to become a nationally and internationally and prominent scientific spearhead at Leiden University.

The position also ties in seamlessly with the stimulation areas of Leiden University, in particular the Social Resilience and Security program, as well as the Growing Up Together in Society Gravitation research program that is launched in 2023. As such, the position offers a unique opportunity to substantiate mental health as a focus in research, education, management, and societal outreach, in line with the existing professorship in the unit, Neuroscience of Social Relations (Prof. dr. B. Güroğlu), that specifically focuses on neurocognitive development in social contexts. The professorship is also closely linked to the Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition (LIBC), to LUBEC (Leids Universitair Behandel- en Expertise Centrum) and to the existing intensive interdisciplinary collaboration within Leiden, TU Delft and Erasmus (LDE) universities and Medical Delta.

Where you will work
The Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences consists of five institutes: Centre for Science and Technology Studies, Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology, Political Science, and Psychology. The faculty has approximately 7000 students and 1000 staff members. Within the institutes, not only education is provided but also groundbreaking research is conducted that pushes the boundaries of our understanding of human behaviour and societal structures. What makes our faculty unique is the diversity of research topics, the various styles of teaching, and the way professional support is organized; this provides you with the opportunity to explore and develop your interests and expertise. Visit our website for an impression: Welcome to the Leiden Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences - Leiden University.

Institute of Psychology
The Institute of Psychology educates new generations to contribute to the challenges of our society, now and in the future, based on leading behavioral scientific research and education. This is achieved through collaboration both within and outside our institute in the field of Psychology and related research areas, both fundamental and applied. The broad bachelor's program and a wide variety of master's specializations also contribute to this goal. Within the institute and the academic community, there is a committed and passionate atmosphere. The themes of Health and Well-being, Social-Cognitive-Affective Decision Making, Development and Learning, and Advanced Behavioral Science Methods guide research and education. The institute values conducting these activities in a safe and inclusive environment and provides space for new developments such as open science, recognition and appreciation, and interdisciplinarity, which are anchored in its strategy. With approximately 5,000 students and 600 staff members, the institute includes the Institute Office, the Department of Bachelor Education, and 6 units for education and research: Health, Medical and Neuropsychology, Clinical Psychology, Cognitive Psychology, Developmental and Educational Psychology, Social, Economic and Organisational Psychology, and Methodology and Statistics.

Academia in Motion
An important requirement at Leiden University is inclusive and respectful leadership. Leadership is central in the ‘Academia in Motion-framework’ of Leiden university. This has the aim to further develop as an inspiring and open knowledge community in the years ahead, with a better balance between education, research and societal relevance, better methods of Recognition & Rewards, and more emphasis on Open Science, teamwork, well-being, and leadership. In line with this, the Faculty of Social Sciences strives to be a knowledge community based on the collaboration between researchers, faculty, support professionals, students and non-academic partners in which an inspiring, safe and attractive environment is provided, with attention to well-being, social safety, diversity and inclusiveness, a fair workload, an exciting job for all, and genuine recognition and appreciation for all contributions to our common goal: to conduct leading research and teaching in social and interdisciplinary science with a substantial positive impact on society.

What you bring
The holder of the chair must have excellent qualities and extensive experience in research and education, particularly in the areas of clinical child and adolescent psychology and developmental psychopathology. An excellent international and national reputation in this area is required, as is evidenced by, among other things, publications in peer-reviewed international journals, (inter)national contacts in the research field in question, and a proven ability to acquire research grants.

Our department sincerely values inter- and transdisciplinary collaboration, fostering a strong sense of teamwork and a positive approach to initiating and nurturing partnerships. This commitment is evidenced by our successful collaborative grants and robust connections with colleagues. For the holder of the chair, we seek a genuine team player, with an open-minded perspective, deeply engaged in society, with outstanding collaboration skills to join our team.

The new chair holder initiates and has an eye for new theoretical and methodological innovations, has extensive experience and skills regarding (experimental) research in both laboratory and applied settings, and connects scientific findings to societal impact in clinical practice and/or educational settings. The chair has very good communication skills, managerial and leadership qualities to be able to lead a research group with PhD students and to expand this in close connection with the current research lines of the unit, the institute, and the interdisciplinary research areas of the university. In the field of education and training, the chair has strong commitment to high quality and innovation of training with various teaching methods in the bachelor's and master's phase and has the excellent educational qualifications (or is prepared to meet these qualifications in the short term), along with leadership ability in curriculum development and supervision.

Research
A central task of the professor is to continue, expand and innovate an internationally recognizable line of research within the research program of the Developmental and Educational Psychology unit, in collaboration with external partners, for example with the Institute of Education and Child studies, with partners in LUBEC, in the field of Leiden University Stimulation Areas, the LUMC and/or LDE universities. This includes coordinating inter- and transdisciplinary research activities, recruiting research grants (e.g., NWO, ERC), developing local, national and international partnerships and networks, and reporting in peer-reviewed journals and at (inter)national conferences.

Education
The professor develops and provides education in the field of the chair in the broad sense, in particular within the education program of the Developmental and Educational unit including the bachelor courses and the current master's specializations Child and Adolescent Psychology, School Psychology, and the research master track Developmental Psychology. The establishment of this professorship will give an impulse to the ambition to become an important player in (inter) national education in this field.

Organization and Management
Leadership is at the heart of our organization and is included in the different tasks we have: education, research, and organization & administration. The holder of the chair has proven successful in personal and connecting leadership. As part of the faculty of FSW’s vision & strategy, all employees are encouraged to pro-actively contribute to developing a diverse and inclusive community in which well-being of staff and students is top priority. The new chair will play an important role in this development and will act as a role-model. Further, the chair will work towards the strategic priorities outlined by the Institute of Psychology for the coming year; these priorities are connection (whereby supporting transparency, diversity, inclusion and cooperation), recognition and rewards, open science, interdisciplinarity (whereby strengthening cohesion between research and teaching), and translation of research to society.

Administrative tasks include active participation in administrative and management tasks at the level of the Developmental and Educational Psychology unit), the Institute of Psychology, the Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Leiden University and/or at national and international level.

Academic and community involvement
The chair holder will increase the visibility of Leiden University through active participation in influential and prestigious academic organizations, such as the Dutch Society for Developmental Psychology (VNOP), the European Association for Research on Adolescence, or VGCT, EABCT. In addition, the professor has a social function in the form of contributions to book publications, conferences and symposia in the field concerned. The acquired knowledge will also be translated into practical applications in collaboration with social partners. When possible, a contribution is made to the provision of information for the benefit of the public debate and public policy-making.

This position is a good fit for you if you recognise yourself in the following selection criteria:

• PhD in the field of psychology, with expertise in the area of clinical developmental psychology;
• Excellent publication record in research in the area of clinical developmental psychology, as ascertained by peer reviewed international and national publications;
• Excellent track record in acquisition of research grants in the area of clinical developmental psychology;
• Established inter- and/or trans-disciplinary collaborative relations with relevant external parties;
• Established ability to communicate research results to a broader audience;
• Established excellence in teaching at undergraduate, graduate and PhD levels;
• Academic management experience in a university context;
• Excellent people management skills, being able to give direction to the team in a positive way and develop others to build a high performance team;
• Clinical experience and post-master clinical qualifications are a plus;
• Proficiency in spoken and written English and Dutch (or the readiness to learn Dutch in a short period of time (max. two years) is required);
• Leiden University requires teaching staff to obtain the University Teaching Qualification (UTQ). If the successful applicant does not already possess this qualification or its equivalent, they must be willing to obtain this Qualification within two years.

What we offer
Our goal is to work together to create a transparent and inclusive work environment in which everyone feels welcome and appreciated. Our organisation is always evolving and we need your ideas for improvement and innovation to take us further. We want to devote attention to your personal development.
You can expect an enjoyable job within the socially relevant world of education and research. The University's challenging and international work environment is located just steps away from Leiden’s lively city centre or the bustling city centre of The Hague. We also want to work with you to devote attention to your health and vitality, for example with the fun activities we organise through Healthy University.

We also offer:

• An full-time employment contract for the duration of one year with the prospect of a permanent employment. This contract falls under the CLA of Dutch Universities;
• A salary of a minimum of € 6,648.00 and a maximum of € 9,680.00 gross per month, based on a full-time appointment (38 hours) (scale H2);
• A holiday allowance (8%), an end-of-year bonus (8,3%), and an attractive pension scheme at ABP;
• Flexible working hours: as a standard, you are entitled to a minimum of 29 leave days on the basis of a full-time working week of 38 hours; you can also save for extra leave, for example by working 40 hours a week, and in this way accrue an extra 96 leave hours, or exchange 96 leave hours for a 36-hour week.
• Lots of options when it comes to secondary employment conditions; we can, for example, discuss options for a sabbatical or paid parental leave. Within our terms of employment individual choices model, you can exchange leave days and/or salary for benefits such as an advantageous sports subscription or bicycle scheme, and we also offer child-care options;
• If your work allows it, hybrid working is possible within the Netherlands;
• A home-working allowance (day and internet allowance) and attention for good workplaces. The University will also provide you with a laptop and a mobile telephone (if applicable for the position).

For more information about employment conditions, see https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/werken-bij/sollicitatieprocedure-en-arbeidsvoorwaarden

What we find important
Promoting an inclusive community is central to Leiden University’s values and vision. Leiden University aims to be an inclusive community in which all students and staff members feel valued and respected, and are able to develop to their full potential. Diversity in experiences and perspectives enriches our teaching and strengthens our research. High-quality education and research means inclusive education and research.

Want to apply or find out more?
If you want to apply straight away, click the application button.
If you would like more information about what the job entails, please contact Prof. dr. P.M. Westenberg at westenberg@fsw.leidenuniv.nl. You can apply until May, 7th; applications will be processed immediately.

To help us get to know each other better, we follow a number of steps in the application procedure. For more information, see https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/werken-bij/sollicitatieprocedure-en-arbeidsvoorwaarden

• We believe mobility is very important. That is why we are also publishing this vacancy internally. In case of equal suitability, we will give priority to the internal candidate.
• A pre-employment screening (references, diplomas, certificate of good conduct (VOG)) and assessment may be part of the selection procedure.
• Acquisition in response to this vacancy is not appreciated. If you nevertheless choose to send us CVs, no rights can be derived from this. #LI-Hybrid

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