PhD Positions in Psychology (University of Amsterdam)

Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences Master's Closes on: 03-05-2026 Vacancy number: 14922 Salary: €3.059 - €3.881 Overview Are you intrigued by how distinct emotions emerge in the first years of life? Do you want to work with young children in naturalistic settings using cutting-edge methods to study emotions? Join us as a PhD candidate at the University of Amsterdam. You will be part of the ERC Starting Grant project EMODEV: The emergence of distinct emotions in human development at the University of Amsterdam. Working at the UvA Two PhD candidates We are seeking two motivated PhD candidates with a strong interest in emotional development in early childhood. Together with a team of postdoctoral researchers and supervisors, you will investigate when, how, and why distinct emotions, such as awe, interest, envy, resentment, excitement, and schadenfreude emerge in human development. The project will answer fundamental questions about human emotional development: How are specific emotions expressed in early development? Do these emotions motivate young children’s behaviours? Which cognitive skills are necessary for these emotions to develop? How do caregivers’ behaviors influence young children’s emotions? For example, what elicits excitement, and does this emotion facilitate risk taking? When do children start showing awe, and does it help them connect to others? Are cognitive skills, such as language or sense of fairness, necessary for resentment to occur? Do caregivers’ behaviors (e.g., emotional reactions and mentalizing) influence the development of these emotions? The PhD candidates will develop new, developmentally appropriate games and tasks to induce emotions in naturalistic settings in children aged nine months to five years. The project involves the use of advanced multimodal methods to map emotions through nonverbal facial expressions, vocalizations, body posture and movements, and physiological activity (e.g., blushing, goosebumps). All about this vacancy What you are going to do PhD candidate 1 PhD candidate 1 will experimentally investigate the causes and consequences of a range of distinct emotions in early development. This project will be conducted both inside and outside of the lab (e.g., indoor playgrounds, theaters). PhD candidate 1 will: Develop novel games and tasks to elicit a range of emotions in young children (together with PhD candidate 2); Design and conduct experimental studies inside the lab and in naturalistic settings, using multimodal methods to measure emotions; Process data and conduct a range of advanced statistical analyses (including computational methods to analyse high-dimensional behavioural and physiological data); Write high-quality scientific articles together with other project members and present at conferences; PhD candidate 2 PhD candidate 2 will examine the developmental timing and cognitive prerequisites for the emergence of a range of emotions, as well as parental factors that drive their change in early development. This project will use longitudinal and experimental designs in the context of home visits. PhD candidate 2 will: Develop novel games and tasks to elicit a range of emotions in young children (together with PhD candidate 1); Design and conduct longitudinal and experimental studies to examine cognitive prerequisites and caregivers’ influences on children’s emerging emotions during home visits; Process data and conduct a range of advanced statistical analyses (e.g., multilevel modelling, structural equation modelling); Write high-quality scientific articles together with other project members and present at conferences; As well as being hosted in the supportive research atmosphere of the Research Institute of Child Development and Education at the University of Amsterdam, the PhD candidates will have the opportunity to establish research connections with international collaborators. The PhD candidates will conduct their research under the supervision of Dr Milica Nikolic at the University of Amsterdam and will be part of her research group as part of Dr Nikolic’s ERC-funded project EMODEV: The emergence of distinct emotions in human development. Dr Nikolic’s research group is part of Developmental Psychopathology group at the Research Institute of Child Development and Education. The PhD projects will be co-supervised by Dr Disa Sauter at the University of Oxford. The position includes allowances for research expenses and travel and subsistence costs toward project-specific travel, including international conferences. It also offers an opportunity to gain experience in teaching, in particular supervising bachelor’s and master’s theses. What do you have to offer You are: Curious and eager to learn; Enthusiastic about engaging with young children and their caregivers; Motivated to share your knowledge with academic and non-academic audiences; Strongly committed to methodological rigor and scientific integrity; You have: (or are about to obtain) a (Research) Master’s degree in Psychology, Child Development, Cognitive Science, or related field; A general interest in and understanding of theories and empirical research on early child development and/or emotions; Some experience with designing, conducting, and analyzing quantitative research (experience conducting research with young children is advantageous); Good programming skills (in R, Python, or similar); Excellent written and spoken English (including the ability to write, present, and discuss research findings, and communicate effectively in English in daily work); Good research project management skills, including the ability to plan and organize research tasks and keep projects on schedule; Experience with lab or field studies and familiarity with behavioural observations or physiological measures is advantageous; In addition, for PhD position 2, good command of Dutch language or willingness to learn it will be considered advantageous; What else do we offer you The appointment concerns temporary employment of 34.2 hours per week (0.9 fte) for a period of 4 years. The initial employment is for one year. Following a positive assessment and barring altered circumstances, this term will be extended by three years, which should result in the conferral of a doctorate. We will put together a graduate school curriculum that includes opportunities to attend training courses and both national and international events. You will also do a limited amount of teaching (around 10% of your time) in the form of supervision of BA and MA theses. Your place at the UvA 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. About the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences The Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences (FMG) is the largest educational and research institution in the field of social and behavioural sciences in Europe. Here, we explore societal and human-centered issues, driven by scientific curiosity but also with an eye for current themes. For example, the impact of media and communication on individuals and society, healthcare challenges, global urbanization, human development, the role of political institutions, understanding the human mind, growing inequality, diversity issues, and changing social relationships. In Europe and beyond, the FMG holds a leading position, thanks in part to its more than 1,300 staff members who contribute to education and research. Will you be one of them? Read more about the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences Important to know Your application & contact The intended starting date is 1 October 2026, but there is some flexibility. If you recognize yourself in this profile and are interested in the role, we look forward to receiving your motivation letter (max. two pages, indicating for which position you are applying for, why you are interested in this position, your relevant research background and skills, and your fit with the project) and CV. You can apply via the red button until May 3, 2026. Online interviews for shortlisted candidates will take place in the second half of May or at the beginning of June. For questions about the vacancy, you can contact Dr Milica Nikolic ([email protected]). Please quote “Inquiry PhD EMODEV Project” in the subject line. Diversity, Equity & Inclusion As an employer, the UvA maintains an equal opportunities policy. We value diversity and are fully committed to being a place where everyone feels at home. We nurture inquisitive minds and perseverance and allow room for persistent questioning. With us, curiosity and creativity are the prevailing culture. Read more Studies show that women and members of underrepresented groups only apply for jobs if they meet 100% of the qualifications. Do you meet the educational requirements but not yet all of the requested experience? The UvA encourages you to apply anyway. If you apply for this position please say you saw it on Psychoneuroxy

Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences
Master's

Closes on: 03-05-2026
Vacancy number: 14922
Salary: €3.059 - €3.881

Overview

Are you intrigued by how distinct emotions emerge in the first years of life? Do you want to work with young children in naturalistic settings using cutting-edge methods to study emotions? Join us as a PhD candidate at the University of Amsterdam. You will be part of the ERC Starting Grant project EMODEV: The emergence of distinct emotions in human development at the University of Amsterdam.

Working at the UvA

Two PhD candidates

We are seeking two motivated PhD candidates with a strong interest in emotional development in early childhood. Together with a team of postdoctoral researchers and supervisors, you will investigate when, how, and why distinct emotions, such as awe, interest, envy, resentment, excitement, and schadenfreude emerge in human development.

The project will answer fundamental questions about human emotional development: How are specific emotions expressed in early development? Do these emotions motivate young children’s behaviours? Which cognitive skills are necessary for these emotions to develop? How do caregivers’ behaviors influence young children’s emotions?

For example, what elicits excitement, and does this emotion facilitate risk taking? When do children start showing awe, and does it help them connect to others? Are cognitive skills, such as language or sense of fairness, necessary for resentment to occur? Do caregivers’ behaviors (e.g., emotional reactions and mentalizing) influence the development of these emotions?

The PhD candidates will develop new, developmentally appropriate games and tasks to induce emotions in naturalistic settings in children aged nine months to five years. The project involves the use of advanced multimodal methods to map emotions through nonverbal facial expressions, vocalizations, body posture and movements, and physiological activity (e.g., blushing, goosebumps).

All about this vacancy

What you are going to do

PhD candidate 1

PhD candidate 1 will experimentally investigate the causes and consequences of a range of distinct emotions in early development. This project will be conducted both inside and outside of the lab (e.g., indoor playgrounds, theaters).

PhD candidate 1 will:

Develop novel games and tasks to elicit a range of emotions in young children (together with PhD candidate 2);
Design and conduct experimental studies inside the lab and in naturalistic settings, using multimodal methods to measure emotions;
Process data and conduct a range of advanced statistical analyses (including computational methods to analyse high-dimensional behavioural and physiological data);
Write high-quality scientific articles together with other project members and present at conferences;

PhD candidate 2

PhD candidate 2 will examine the developmental timing and cognitive prerequisites for the emergence of a range of emotions, as well as parental factors that drive their change in early development. This project will use longitudinal and experimental designs in the context of home visits.

PhD candidate 2 will:

Develop novel games and tasks to elicit a range of emotions in young children (together with PhD candidate 1);
Design and conduct longitudinal and experimental studies to examine cognitive prerequisites and caregivers’ influences on children’s emerging emotions during home visits;
Process data and conduct a range of advanced statistical analyses (e.g., multilevel modelling, structural equation modelling);
Write high-quality scientific articles together with other project members and present at conferences;

As well as being hosted in the supportive research atmosphere of the Research Institute of Child Development and Education at the University of Amsterdam, the PhD candidates will have the opportunity to establish research connections with international collaborators.

The PhD candidates will conduct their research under the supervision of Dr Milica Nikolic at the University of Amsterdam and will be part of her research group as part of Dr Nikolic’s ERC-funded project EMODEV: The emergence of distinct emotions in human development. Dr Nikolic’s research group is part of Developmental Psychopathology group at the Research Institute of Child Development and Education. The PhD projects will be co-supervised by Dr Disa Sauter at the University of Oxford.

The position includes allowances for research expenses and travel and subsistence costs toward project-specific travel, including international conferences. It also offers an opportunity to gain experience in teaching, in particular supervising bachelor’s and master’s theses.

What do you have to offer

You are:

Curious and eager to learn;
Enthusiastic about engaging with young children and their caregivers;
Motivated to share your knowledge with academic and non-academic audiences;
Strongly committed to methodological rigor and scientific integrity;

You have:

(or are about to obtain) a (Research) Master’s degree in Psychology, Child Development, Cognitive Science, or related field;
A general interest in and understanding of theories and empirical research on early child development and/or emotions;
Some experience with designing, conducting, and analyzing quantitative research (experience conducting research with young children is advantageous);
Good programming skills (in R, Python, or similar);
Excellent written and spoken English (including the ability to write, present, and discuss research findings, and communicate effectively in English in daily work);
Good research project management skills, including the ability to plan and organize research tasks and keep projects on schedule;
Experience with lab or field studies and familiarity with behavioural observations or physiological measures is advantageous;
In addition, for PhD position 2, good command of Dutch language or willingness to learn it will be considered advantageous;

What else do we offer you

The appointment concerns temporary employment of 34.2 hours per week (0.9 fte) for a period of 4 years. The initial employment is for one year. Following a positive assessment and barring altered circumstances, this term will be extended by three years, which should result in the conferral of a doctorate.

We will put together a graduate school curriculum that includes opportunities to attend training courses and both national and international events. You will also do a limited amount of teaching (around 10% of your time) in the form of supervision of BA and MA theses.

Your place at the UvA

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.

About the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences

The Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences (FMG) is the largest educational and research institution in the field of social and behavioural sciences in Europe. Here, we explore societal and human-centered issues, driven by scientific curiosity but also with an eye for current themes. For example, the impact of media and communication on individuals and society, healthcare challenges, global urbanization, human development, the role of political institutions, understanding the human mind, growing inequality, diversity issues, and changing social relationships.

In Europe and beyond, the FMG holds a leading position, thanks in part to its more than 1,300 staff members who contribute to education and research. Will you be one of them?

Read more about the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences

Important to know

Your application & contact

The intended starting date is 1 October 2026, but there is some flexibility.

If you recognize yourself in this profile and are interested in the role, we look forward to receiving your motivation letter (max. two pages, indicating for which position you are applying for, why you are interested in this position, your relevant research background and skills, and your fit with the project) and CV. You can apply via the red button until May 3, 2026. Online interviews for shortlisted candidates will take place in the second half of May or at the beginning of June.

For questions about the vacancy, you can contact Dr Milica Nikolic ([email protected]). Please quote “Inquiry PhD EMODEV Project” in the subject line.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

As an employer, the UvA maintains an equal opportunities policy. We value diversity and are fully committed to being a place where everyone feels at home. We nurture inquisitive minds and perseverance and allow room for persistent questioning. With us, curiosity and creativity are the prevailing culture.

Studies show that women and members of underrepresented groups only apply for jobs if they meet 100% of the qualifications. Do you meet the educational requirements but not yet all of the requested experience? The UvA encourages you to apply anyway.

If you apply for this position please say you saw it on Psychoneuroxy

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