PhD-student in Human Resource Studies

Tilburg University | Tilburg School of Social and Behavioral Sciences is looking for a PhD student in Human Resource Studies on the project “Evaluating a skills-based HR approach in the energy sector: focus on skills to address labor shortages?”
Department: Human Resource Studies / Tilburg School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, location: Tilburg, contract size: 1.0 fte (40 hours per week), contract duration: 12 months wit a possible extension of 36 months.

Job description

Are you an ambitious researcher with a passion for labor market innovations and sustainability? Tilburg University is seeking a PhD candidate to contribute to groundbreaking research on the impact of a skills-based HR approach on (sustainable) employability in the energy sector. In this PhD project, you will focus on the labor market outcomes of a skills-based approach.

You will be part of the WorkWithSkills project, a large-scale collaboration with leading organizations in the energy transition (including KPN, Enexis, Stedin, and others). The project aims to fill vacancies through a skills-based approach (implemented by the Arbeidsmatchplatform, an online skills platform for job matching) and to scientifically validate how this contributes to inclusivity, sustainable employability, and addressing labor market shortages. You will closely collaborate with a PhD student from Erasmus University, who will do complementary research towards the individual and organizational outcomes. The project runs from January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2028.

The ultimate goal of this PhD project is to gain insight into the outcomes of a skills-based approach to work within the energy sector. Relevant research questions include (but are not limited to):

• To what extent does skills-based recruitment and selection contribute to the faster and more effective fulfillment of positions traditionally difficult to fill?
• To what extent does a skills-based approach result in better job matches (from both the perspectives of the organization and the worker)?
• What is the impact of skills-based approaches on the technical sector, specifically concerning the inclusion of career switchers with backgrounds in different sectors of industry?

More information on the project is available per request, interested candidates can request this by reaching out to r.p.h.lievens@tilburguniversity.edu.

Your position 
As a PhD candidate, you will conduct research in the field of social sciences. You will report your findings in (popular) scientific journals and through presentations at (national and international) scientific and practice-oriented conferences. Regular meetings with the supervisors will be scheduled to discuss the progress of the project. The department fosters an open working culture, emphasizing mutual respect and appreciation among staff members.

The project is supervised by Prof. Dr. Dorien (T.A.M.) Kooij and Dr. Ronald (R.P.H.) Lievens.

Your responsibilities:

• Your research work will include conducting literature reviews, field research, data collection and analysis through qualitative and mixed-method studies, analyzing empirical data, and writing research reports.
• You will prepare scientific articles for publication in international journals, present significant findings at national and international scientific conferences, and write a dissertation.
• You will actively participate in the Department of Human Resource Studies (e.g., attending departmental meetings).
• You will contribute to education and supervision, such as mentoring bachelor’s theses and providing teaching (max 0.2 FTE).

Requirements

We are looking for an enthusiastic and proactive researcher with an interest in scientific research and a strong affinity with HRM and the functioning of the labor market, particularly in the energy sector. We are seeking someone with a background in the social and behavioral sciences (e.g., Human Resource Studies) or a related discipline. A strong interest in contributing to practice-oriented research, combined with a flexible and creative approach, are qualities we highly value for this project. Additionally, you should have strong communication skills, be a good team player, and be adept at working with various stakeholders in a project setting.

This means you have:

• A (nearly) completed (research) master’s thesis in the social and behavioral sciences (preferably Human Resource Studies) or a related discipline.
• Research skills and data analysis capabilities (both qualitative and quantitative).
• Communication and collaboration skills, and a willingness to work in a team.
• Organizational skills, and preferably experience with project management.
• Proficiency in Dutch is preferred for collecting and analyzing qualitative data.
• Proficiency in English and a willingness to improve academic writing skills.
• An interest in providing (small-scale) education, such as teaching seminars or supervising bachelor’s theses.

Conditions of employment

Our offer 
Tilburg University offers excellent benefits in a pleasant working environment: 

• A position based on 1.0 fte (40 hours per week). 
• A salary of minimum €2.901 and maximum €3.707 gross per month for full-time employment, based on UFO profile PhD and salary scale PhD. Tilburg University uses a neutral remuneration system based on relevant work experience. 
• This is a vacancy for for a PhD in accordance with Article 2.3 paragraph 8 sub b CLA DU. You will initially be given a temporary contract for the duration of 12 months.
• Vacation pay of 8% and a year-end bonus of 8.3%. 
• Over 8 weeks of vacation leave. 
• The opportunity to work partly on campus and partly from home with a home office allowance of €2 per day.
• Reimbursement for sustainable commuting: walking, cycling, and public transport. 
• A monthly internet allowance of €25.
• An options model in which you exchange benefits for things such as additional leave, more pension, a bicycle or personal training at our Sports Center. 
• A moving allowance (subject to conditions). 
• Employees from abroad may be eligible for a tax-free allowance for extraterritorial expenses equal to 30% of taxable salary. 
• A pension with ABP; the largest Dutch pension fund.
• Training in personal development, career development, leadership, education, and research. Or a language course at our Language Center. 
• A work culture in which we embrace differences, everyone is welcome and given equal opportunities. 
• A vibrant campus in green surroundings that is easily accessible by public transport. 

For more information, see our website and the CLA Dutch Universities. 

Employer

Tilburg University

Tilburg University is an academic, inclusive, and engaged community. Together with nearly 3,000 employees, we are committed to broad prosperity, sustainably, and inclusion. For current and future generations. We develop and share knowledge for the requirements of people and our society. This is how we contribute to solving complex social issues and help society move forward.

We educate our 19,500 students of 110 nationalities to become responsible leaders with knowledge, skills, and character. With our education and research for broad prosperity, we exceedingly focus on themes such as mental and preventive care, an inclusive labor market, the energy transition, and digitalization.

About Tilburg School of Social and Behavioral sciences
Tilburg School of Social and Behavioral Sciences (TSB) is one of the five faculties of Tilburg University. The teaching and research of the Tilburg School of Social and Behavioral Sciences are organized around the themes of “Adaptive societies, organizations, and workers”, “Healthy life span”, and “Personalized prevention and care”. The School’s inspiring working environment challenges its workers to realize their ambitions, involvement and cooperation are essential to achieve this. 

Department

The Department of Human Resource Studies is a well-established department with a strong reputation in academia. The department is well-known for its expertise in taking a balanced approach to strategic HRM (focusing on well-being, development and performance), strengths-based and lifespan approaches to HRM, and inclusive HRM. 
Department Human Resource Studies | Tilburg University

Additional information

Would you like to know more before applying? Feel free to contact Ronald Lievens at r.p.h.lievens@tilburguniversity.edu.

We invite you to apply by January 9th, 2025; applications can only be submitted online. Please address your motivation letter to Dr. Ronald Lievens and include the following documents with your application:

Motivation letter, including your research areas/interests.

1. Curriculum Vitae.
2. Grade transcript(s).
3. A sample of your academic work (e.g., bachelor’s/master’s thesis, paper). If you are currently working on your master’s thesis, feel free to submit your thesis outline.