The Department of Work and Organisation Studies (WOS) at the Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB) at KU Leuven, Belgium invites applications for a PhD position on the topic of telecommuting.
WOS is a vibrant, interdisciplinary group of around 50 scholars conducting high-quality research on employee wellbeing, job quality, HRM, leadership, careers, and the role of work in society.
FEB has four campuses in Brussel, Antwerp, Kortrijk and Leuven. This position is based at the KU Leuven campus in Leuven, a lively university town in the heart of Europe. KU Leuven is Europe’s most innovative university (according to the Reuters ranking) and a top research-intensive institution.
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Project
Telecommuting—working remotely through digital technology—has become a defining feature of modern work. This project seeks to deepen our understanding of when, why, for whom, and how telecommuting can be motivating and beneficial. We take a nuanced look at the different forms telecommuting can take, and how it affects both individual employees and team dynamics.
Using Self-Determination Theory (SDT) as a guiding framework, you will examine how telecommuting influences motivation and wellbeing through basic psychological need satisfaction. Special attention will be given to how HR practices and leadership styles shape the telecommuting experience, and how hybrid work (home and office) affects team functioning.
The PhD project will begin with the analysis of rich, multi-level longitudinal data from employees and their supervisors. This will be complemented with new survey data collections, and potentially with intervention studies aimed at optimizing team processes in hybrid work contexts.
Our ultimate aim is to produce scientifically sound insights with real-world impact—offering organizations clear, evidence-based guidance on how to implement telecommuting in ways that enhance motivation and performance.
Profile
Your responsibilities
You will:
• Develop and refine the research questions in collaboration with the supervisory team;
• Analyse existing longitudinal data and collect new quantitative data and/or conduct intervention studies;
• Write scientific articles with the goal of including them in your doctoral dissertation;
• Present your work at international conferences and seminars;
• Complete the doctoral training programme of the Faculty of Economics and Business;
• Contribute to the department’s educational activities (e.g. supervision of theses, grading exams).
The position is full-time and for a period of four years, starting as soon as possible. Continuation after the first year depends on a positive evaluation.
Who we’re looking for:
• You hold (or will soon obtain) a Master’s degree in a relevant social science field (e.g., Management, Psychology, Business Engineering, Sociology, Applied Economics);
• You have earned at least two ‘honours’ (cum laude/distinction) marks during your academic career; Graduating master students who may reach this criterium upon graduation can also apply.
• You have experience with, or a strong interest in, quantitative research methods;
• You are an excellent writer and a confident presenter;
• You are fluent in English (spoken and written); Dutch proficiency is an asset, as data collection will involve Dutch-speaking participants;
• You are intellectually curious, analytical, and proactive in your work.
Offer
You will join an internationally renowned research environment and be mentored by an experienced and interdisciplinary team: Prof. Dr. Anja Van den Broeck, Prof. Dr. Elfi Baillien, Prof. Dr. Marijke Verbruggen, and Prof. Dr. Sophie De Winne. We will support your development as a researcher and teacher. In addition to your PhD research, you’ll gain experience in education and develop transferable skills that benefit both academic and non-academic careers.
For more about working at KU Leuven: https://www.kuleuven.be/personeel/jobsite/en
Interested?
For questions, contact Prof. Dr. Anja Van den Broeck at +32 498 745 322 or
[email protected].
We welcome your application by June 20th via the online tool. You can start as soon as possible. Final-year Master’s students are welcome to apply.
To apply, use the online tool and include:
• A motivation letter explaining your interest in this specific position and illustrating how you meet the requirements.
• Your CV;
• A reference we may contact (e.g., your Master’s thesis supervisor, current supervisor);
• A copy or summary of your Master’s thesis (if recently completed).
Interviews will be held in person or online on June 25th in the afternoon, and July 3rd and 4th (life in Leuven or online) and will include a research-related assignment. The final decision will follow shortly thereafter.
KU Leuven is committed to creating an inclusive and diverse working environment. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.
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.
