Postdoctoral Researcher in Clinical Decision Making in Modular Psychotherapy for Youth Mental Health

Join Us!

This 10-month postdoc project will be conducted in the Research Institute of Child Development and Education at the University of Amsterdam. The aim of the research will be to better understand how clinicians can (and are willing to) use algorithm-based predictions to select intervention components in youth psychotherapy. To achieve this understanding, we will conduct a mixed-method study in which clinicians are presented with different types of algorithm-based predictions.

 

What are you going to do

Your primary tasks will be to:

• Design and conduct a mixed-methods study (i.e., surveys and interviews) investigating how clinicians can and are willing to use algorithm-based predictions to guide the selection of intervention components in youth psychotherapy.
• Analyse qualitative and quantitative data.
• Write an international peer-reviewed academic paper on the results of the study.
• Present your work at a conference for academics, policy makers and/or clinicians.
• Be an active member of the research group.

 

 

What do you have to offer

We are looking for a candidate who is eager to further develop their understanding of the circumstances under which clinicians are less or more likely to use the support of algorithmic predictions in mental health care. The candidate must thrive in a collaborative environment that asks for autonomy and flexibility and hold a proactive, mastery-oriented approach to one's learning process.

 

Your experience and profile:

• You hold a PhD in psychology (e.g., developmental or clinical), pedagogics, or child psychiatry, or have your PhD dissertation approved by August 2026.
• You have a thorough understanding of clinical decision-making processes in youth psychotherapy, ideally grounded in both research and clinical experience.
• You can demonstrate a well-developed and evidence-informed perspective on the use of algorithmic approaches to guide the selection of youth psychotherapy interventions.
• You have experience designing and conducting mixed-methods research.
• You have experience writing impactful academic papers.
• You have experience presenting your work to scientific and non-scientific audiences.
• You enjoy working in a team while maintaining autonomy.
• You enjoy projects that require proactivity, collaboration, and creativity.
• You are able and willing to work in the Netherlands.

 

What else do we offer you

The position concerns a temporary employment of 30.4 hours (0.8 FTE) per week for 10 months. The starting date is 01 September 2026. Your salary will be €4,728 gross per month (scale 11,0; based on 38 hours per week), keeping with the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities. We additionally offer an extensive package of secondary benefits, including 8% holiday allowance and a year-end bonus of 8.3%. The UvA offers excellent possibilities for further professional development and education.

 

 

You will work here

 

The Research Institute of Child Development and Education (RICDE) is part of the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences at the University of Amsterdam. Dedicated to advancing knowledge on the development, learning, and well-being of children, the institute integrates cutting-edge research with real-world applications to impact education and care. We offer a dynamic environment paired with an informal and supportive atmosphere. The institute is situated centrally in Amsterdam, an international city consistently ranked as one of the world’s top places to live. Our faculty offers excellent facilities for undertaking research in a broad range of areas, including EEG, ERP, TMS, fMRI, social observations labs, eye-tracker, and physiological measurement. The Family lab of the faculty comprises two large video studios for observing and filming the behaviour of children and family interaction.

We are looking for a postdoctoral researcher in clinical decision making in modular psychotherapy for youth mental health.

Join Us!

This 10-month postdoc project will be conducted in the Research Institute of Child Development and Education at the University of Amsterdam. The aim of the research will be to better understand how clinicians can (and are willing to) use algorithm-based predictions to select intervention components in youth psychotherapy. To achieve this understanding, we will conduct a mixed-method study in which clinicians are presented with different types of algorithm-based predictions.

 

What are you going to do

Your primary tasks will be to:

• Design and conduct a mixed-methods study (i.e., surveys and interviews) investigating how clinicians can and are willing to use algorithm-based predictions to guide the selection of intervention components in youth psychotherapy.
• Analyse qualitative and quantitative data.
• Write an international peer-reviewed academic paper on the results of the study.
• Present your work at a conference for academics, policy makers and/or clinicians.
• Be an active member of the research group.

 

 

What do you have to offer

We are looking for a candidate who is eager to further develop their understanding of the circumstances under which clinicians are less or more likely to use the support of algorithmic predictions in mental health care. The candidate must thrive in a collaborative environment that asks for autonomy and flexibility and hold a proactive, mastery-oriented approach to one's learning process.

 

Your experience and profile:

• You hold a PhD in psychology (e.g., developmental or clinical), pedagogics, or child psychiatry, or have your PhD dissertation approved by August 2026.
• You have a thorough understanding of clinical decision-making processes in youth psychotherapy, ideally grounded in both research and clinical experience.
• You can demonstrate a well-developed and evidence-informed perspective on the use of algorithmic approaches to guide the selection of youth psychotherapy interventions.
• You have experience designing and conducting mixed-methods research.
• You have experience writing impactful academic papers.
• You have experience presenting your work to scientific and non-scientific audiences.
• You enjoy working in a team while maintaining autonomy.
• You enjoy projects that require proactivity, collaboration, and creativity.
• You are able and willing to work in the Netherlands.

 

What else do we offer you

The position concerns a temporary employment of 30.4 hours (0.8 FTE) per week for 10 months. The starting date is 01 September 2026. Your salary will be €4,728 gross per month (scale 11,0; based on 38 hours per week), keeping with the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities. We additionally offer an extensive package of secondary benefits, including 8% holiday allowance and a year-end bonus of 8.3%. The UvA offers excellent possibilities for further professional development and education.

 

 

You will work here

 

The Research Institute of Child Development and Education (RICDE) is part of the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences at the University of Amsterdam. Dedicated to advancing knowledge on the development, learning, and well-being of children, the institute integrates cutting-edge research with real-world applications to impact education and care. We offer a dynamic environment paired with an informal and supportive atmosphere. The institute is situated centrally in Amsterdam, an international city consistently ranked as one of the world’s top places to live. Our faculty offers excellent facilities for undertaking research in a broad range of areas, including EEG, ERP, TMS, fMRI, social observations labs, eye-tracker, and physiological measurement. The Family lab of the faculty comprises two large video studios for observing and filming the behaviour of children and family interaction.

If you recognize yourself in this profile and are interested in the role, we look forward to receiving your motivation letter and CV. You can apply via the red button until 20 April 2026.

 

Applications bundled in one .pdf should include:

•              a curriculum vitae.

•              a letter of motivation.

•              A copy of one of your scientific papers that you are particularly

 

Interviews will take place in the week of 27 April 2026. In case of equal qualifications, internal candidates will be given preference over external candidates. For questions about the vacancy, you can contact: Patty Leijten (p.leijten@uva.nl)