PhD position Supporting Inclusive Education for Gifted Students (1.0 FTE) (V25.0161)

Do you want to contribute to groundbreaking research that pushes the boundaries of science? Are you looking for a PhD position in which you can turn your curiosity into concrete research results and a dissertation? In that case, the position of PhD Supporting Inclusive Education for Gifted Students at the University of Groningen (UG) might just be what you are looking for!

As a PhD candidate in Supporting Inclusive Education for Gifted Students, you will have the opportunity to develop your own insights, collect data, and share your findings with both scientific colleagues and partners from professional practice worldwide. Under the guidance of supervisors and together with a motivated team, you will work on meaningful solutions and contribute to the future of your field.

Project description
Gifted students in inclusive classrooms often encounter insufficient differentiation, hindering both their academic progress and social inclusion. Addressing these challenges requires comprehensive studies to explore effective support strategies that align with inclusive principles. This research project seeks to systematically examine current practices and perspectives on supporting gifted students in inclusive classrooms. By synthesizing existing literature, gathering empirical evidence, and developing a targeted intervention, it strives to foster more effective and equitable educational environments where gifted learners can flourish alongside their peers.

Job content
This project entails a full-time PhD trajectory of four years. There are in total four phases to map the job content of the candidate

Phase 1: Systematic Literature Review on Existing Support for the Inclusion of Gifted Students (Months 1-10)
Phase 2: Mixed-Method Study on Current Practices that Support the Inclusion of Gifted Students(Months 9-20)
Phase 3: Intervention Design and Implementation to Promote Support for Gifted Students in Inclusive Settings (Months 12-36)
Final Dissertation and Dissemination: (Months 31-48)

Why would you want to apply for this position?

1. To make an impact: in this role, you will directly contribute to scientific insights that address societal issues. Your research will not only translate into publications, but also into concrete solutions in practice and policy-making, ensuring a tangible impact.
2. Personal development: you will have the opportunity, with the support of experienced scientists, to develop yourself into an expert. This combination of research and teaching offers plenty of opportunities for professional and personal growth.

As a PhD candidate, you will perform the following duties

• You will conduct research that results in a dissertation and is consistent with the goals and requirements of the project.
• You will organise and conduct data collection for the subprojects, and analyze these data (qualitatively and quantitatively).
• You write scientific articles and publish research results in international scientific journals.
• You will present the research to a wide audience of both national and international fellow scientists and partners from the professional field in national and international conferences.
• You will contribute to teaching activities in the Inclusive and Special Needs Education Unit, such as working groups and thesis supervision.

This is where you will be working
The University of Groningen ranks among the top European universities and is internationally oriented. The university is socially engaged and actively involved in its environment. In a wide range of disciplines, researchers and teachers practice their disciplines out of scientific passion. Everyone is empowered to do their best. The talents, ambitions and performance of the 34,000 students and 6,500 employees of the UG are stimulated as much as possible.

The Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences is strong in research and teaching on human behaviour, thinking, learning, and coexistence. We work on social issues and problems that people experience in everyday life. Individual and societal resilience and how to increase it are central to our work. We focus on the topics of migration, environment and climate, health, parenting and education, the protection of vulnerable minorities, and sustainable partnerships. Over 650 employees work at the Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences.

More information about the faculty can be found at the link https://www.rug.nl/gmw/

For this position, we are looking for someone who

• Has a Research Master or Master's degree in the field of education, pedagogy, psychology, social studies, or a related field.
• Good command of methodological understanding: experience in conducting systematic literature review, qualitative or quantitative research, and is willing to learn new research methods
• Is enthusiastic about writing international publications.
• Has good command of academic writing and speaking in English, and a good command of Dutch is definitely recommended but not a must.
• Possesses good academic writing, social and communication skills and is willing to collaborate with other team members.
• Is enthusiastic about translating scientific insights into practical guidelines and advice.
• Possesses good organizational skills and perseverance.
• Demonstrates competencies such as conceptual ability, presentation, planning, and monitoring progress.

We offer you in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities:

• A salary of € 2,901 gross per month in the first year to a maximum of € 3,707 gross per month in the fourth and final year for a full-time working week.
• 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% year-end bonus based on annual gross income.
• A temporary employment of 1.0 FTE for a period of four years. You will first receive temporary employment for the period of one year. After a positive Results and Development Interview, the contract will be extended for the remaining period of three years.
• Based on a 38-hour work week (full-time), 232 annual leave hours. It is possible to choose a 36- or 40-hour work week. If you choose a 40-hour work week, you accumulate an additional 96 hours of annual leave. If you opt for a 36-hour work week, you will lose 96 leave hours per year.
• A good pension plan with the ABP pension fund.

Effective date: 1 September 2025

Does this sound like your dream job? In that case, we cannot wait to meet you. Apply quickly and who knows, you might become our new PhD candidate. You can send the application documents (motivation letter, CV, Master thesis, Master and Bachelor degree grades) until 30 March 11:59pm / before 31 March 2025 Dutch local time (CEST) by means of the application form (click on "Apply" below on the advertisement on the university website). Please also include the specific reference contact information in the motivation letter.

Selection interviews will take place in the third week of April, 2025.

The University of Groningen strives to be a university in which students and staff are respected and feel at home, regardless of differences in background, experiences, perspectives, and identities. We believe that working on our core values of inclusion and equality are a joint responsibility and we are constructively working on creating a socially safe environment. Diversity among students and staff members enriches academic debate and contributes to the quality of our teaching and research. We therefore invite applicants from underrepresented groups in particular to apply. For more information, see also our diversity policy webpage: https://www.rug.nl/about-ug/policy-and-strategy/diversity-and-inclusion/

Our selection procedure follows the guidelines of the Recruitment code (NVP): https://www.nvp-hrnetwerk.nl/nl/sollicitatiecode and European Commission's European Code of Conduct for recruitment of researchers: https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/charter/code

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