1 Postdoctoral position in (Experimental) Psychology in Netherlands | Leiden University

With the advent of (big) data technologies, businesses can collect and use ever bigger quantities of online information about their customers without the customers’ awareness or consent. In turn, customers know preciously little of how their data - and the superior information position it produces for businesses - is used by businesses and whether this is to the customers’ advantage or disadvantage. This information asymmetry is problematic both from a social and philosophical as well as legal viewpoint. In response, legislatures and regulators have set forth numerous rules and guidelines on (online) information disclosure duties to combat (unlawfully) hiding, framing, distorting or skewing of material information. Yet, as far as these rules and guidelines are concerned, little is known about its cognitive and behavioural effects. Hence, in terms of ‘what works, how, why and when’ in the regulation of (online) information disclosure, we are confronted with a hiatus in knowledge. This project, therefore, aims to explore and examine the factors that impact upon the efficacy of information disclosure duties pertaining to customer data use in online business. It brings together the combined expertise of law and digital technologies, civil law, criminal law, tax law, psychology, business and economics scholars from the three Leiden Law School institutes for private law, interdisciplinary study of the law, and tax law and economics.

Research

• To independently work in and coordinate a two-year collaborative research project in the area of social cognition, information regulation and legal psychology;
• To create and submit joint research / project results for publication in international peer-reviewed journals together with other project members;
• To present the research outcomes at international conferences (co-authored) in the area of social cognition, empirical legal studies, behavioural science & policy, etc.;
• To play an active role in connecting social cognition research to information regulation practice & policy (e.g., disclosure messages, warnings, frames);
• To develop and collaborate in academic and professional networks.

Teaching

• As this is a two-year fulltime research post-doc position, there are no teaching obligations.

Other

• To organize key project events such as round tables, seminars, workshops and an in-house conclusions conference (together with support staff);
• To ensure high quality experimental research.

Requirements

The project seeks to employ a highly motivated and proactive candidate who can work independently as well as part of a team. The candidate is keen to investigate real-world phenomena through experimental research.

• You hold a PhD (or a PhD near completion) in Psychology (e.g., Social Psychology, Cognitive or Behavioural Psychology) or other relevant field (e.g., Behavioural Economics, Social Neuroscience);
• You have demonstrated good knowledge of experimental research designs, quantitative methods and techniques;
• You have good academic writing skills in English;
• You have a passion for cross-disciplinary thinking;
• You are able to make links between fundamental research and policy & practice.

Desirable

• One or more (accepted) publications in international peer-reviewed journals is desirable.

Conditions of employment

We offer a fulltime two-year term position (38 hours per week) for the duration of the research project. If additional project funding is obtained, a potential extension based on performance can be discussed.

Salary range from € 2,532.- to € 5,288.- gross per month on a full-time basis (pay scale 10,11 or 12), in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities).Salary scale depends on education and experience.

Leiden University offers an attractive benefits package with additional holiday (8%) and end-of-year bonuses (8.3 %), training and career development and sabbatical leave. Our individual choices model gives you some freedom to assemble your own set of terms and conditions. Candidates from outside the Netherlands may be eligible for a substantial tax break. The department has sufficient financial resources to fund software, data, and travel.