Mind Body Research (MBR) focuses on the interaction of mental and physical symptoms in psychiatric disorders such as depression, addiction, eating disorders, personality disorders and perinatal psychiatric disorders. More specifically, hormonal and physiological stress patterns and immune function are at the core of our research interests. In recent years, the group has gained expertise in collecting and analyzing physiological signals in daily life through wearables, and relating these signals to (early warning signs for) recurrence of a psychiatric disorder. These studies were done in close collaboration with the Center for Contextual Psychiatry, with IMEC as a microelectronics developer, and J&J as an industrial pharmaceutical partner.
For more information and representative publications, see the MBR website.
The Center for Contextual Psychiatry is a world-leading center of expertise in Experience Sampling Methodology (ESM) as well as in the use of wearables to passively collect neurophysiological and contextual information. We use this methodology to conduct fundamental research as well as to investigate how this can be implemented in clinical practice using implementation science. The CCP is an interdisciplinary and international group of about 25 researchers covering theoretical, experimental, developmental, and clinical psychology, psychiatry as well as statistics. Our lab is internationally renowned for its expertise in Experience Sampling Methodology and Open Science, and is involved in numerous international research projects, with a wide network of national and international collaborators. The CCP fosters a strong collaboration within the research center as well, with weekly lab meetings, reading groups, and seminars on the broader fields of psychiatry and psychology. As a PhD student, you will become a member of the CCP team, closely collaborating with fellow PhD students, as well as with postdocs, and research assistants.
For more information and representative publications, see the CCP website.
Website unit
Project
The Psychiatry Research Group (Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven University) is looking for a PhD student on the topic of stress coping in daily life. How an individual handles daily-life stress has an effect on their stress recovery—an important process in the development of mental illness. Which coping (or emotion regulation) strategy an individual uses and how effective it is, however, depends on the current context. To date, it is unclear what the relevant context characteristics are and how they influence use and effectiveness of coping strategies. Furthermore, there is no efficient tool to assess daily-life stress coping.
In this PhD project, the candidate will develop a novel method to assess daily-life stress coping using experience sampling methodology (ESM; a.k.a. ecological momentary assessment) and collaborate on the development of a prototype of ESM based on a conversational agent. The candidate will also explore what are the relevant context factors related to use and effectiveness of coping strategies and investigate these effects in individuals at risk for mental illness. ESM and passive sensing methods will be used to assess stress recovery, coping, and context.
The successful applicant will be part of the D-Stress project: a VLAIO-funded collaboration between KU Leuven and clinical (Idewe, Faresa) and tech (CeGeKa) industry partners with the aim to develop a conversational agent-based intervention to help individuals recover from daily-life stress in real-time. Within this project, the candidate is expected to collaborate with the project partners and investigate in which context, which coping strategy is most effective for stress recovery.
Profile
The essential criteria for the successful candidate are:
- A masters degree in Psychology, Behavioral Sciences, Biomedical Sciences, or a related discipline
- Strong skills in statistical analyses
- A strong interest in daily-life research, clinical psychology, and statistics.
- Curiosity and ambition to learn new skills and techniques.
- Strong communication and social skills and a proactive attitude.
- Prior experience with ESM, passive sensing and/or multilevel statistical modelling are a pro
Offer
The successful candidate will receive a full-time 4-year PhD position at MBR and CCP, two research centers within the Psychiatry Research Group.
Motivated candidates of all nationalities, who have the ability and desire to work in an interdisciplinary and international research environment with a strong commitment to research on experience sampling and measurement, are invited to apply.
The study will lead to a PhD degree in Biomedical Sciences from KU Leuven. As a PhD student, you will have every opportunity to develop yourself further in your professional career, by studying literature, attending seminars and workshops, participating in and presenting at international conferences, and interacting with leading researchers from multiple disciplines. In addition, you will become part of (and contribute to) a network of academic and non-academic partners in the field of quantitative methods in behavioral sciences, ambulatory assessment, open science, clinical institutions, and tech companies.
In addition to a competitive salary, KU Leuven offers a number of additional advantages, such as the possibility of flexible working, hospitalization insurance, eco-vouchers, reimbursement for commuting by public transport, inexpensive meals, a KU Leuven bicycle, etc.
Interested?
For more information please contact Dr. Thomas Vaessen, mail: [email protected].
KU Leuven strives for an inclusive, respectful and socially safe environment. We embrace diversity among individuals and groups as an asset. Open dialogue and differences in perspective are essential for an ambitious research and educational environment. In our commitment to equal opportunity, we recognize the consequences of historical inequalities. We do not accept any form of discrimination based on, but not limited to, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, ethnic or national background, skin colour, religious and philosophical diversity, neurodivergence, employment disability, health, or socioeconomic status. For questions about accessibility or support offered, we are happy to assist you at this email address.
