PhD Improving Carer Support in Eating Disorders

Sport Society; Utrecht; On-site; EUR 34,138 - 43,311; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme

Flexible terms of employment

8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus

Job summary

Utrecht University in the Netherlands invites applications for a PhD project titled 'Improving Carer Support in Eating Disorders' within the Psychology Department. The research will evaluate training effects, examine carers' emotion regulation, and study lived experience expertise using mixed methods.

We seek an independent, proactive candidate with a strong interest in eating disorders, clinical experience, and excellent Dutch language skills for qualitative interviewing.

Qualifications

• PhD candidate with interest in eating disorders and caregiver support.
• Clinical experience in eating disorders is a strong asset.
• Excellent communication skills and proficiency in Dutch.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate training effectiveness and caregiver outcomes.
• Examine carers' emotion regulation as a mechanism of change.
• Identify unmet support needs to inform tailored interventions.
• Use mixed methods including quantitative and qualitative research.

Skills

Quantitative research

Qualitative research

Dutch language

Writing skills

Analytical skills

Education

Master's degree in Clinical Psychology

Master’s degree in Developmental Psychology

Job description

PhD Improving Carer Support in Eating Disorders

Faculty: Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences Department: Psychology Hours per week: 36 to 40 Application deadline: 16 August 2026

Eating disorders have a profound impact on both individuals with the illness and their caregivers, who play a vital role in recovery but often experience substantial burden and psychological distress.

The New Maudsley Collaborative Care Approach (NMCCA), and its Dutch adaptation Samen de eetstoornis aanpakken, have demonstrated encouraging benefits for caregiving skills and caregiver well-being. Building on the promising effects, various studies are planned.

Building on these promising findings, this PhD project will evaluate the effectiveness of the training, examine carers' emotion regulation as a mechanism of change, identify unmet support needs to inform tailored interventions, and investigate the contribution of lived experience expertise using both quantitative and qualitative research methods.

We are looking for an enthusiastic independently working, proactive candidate who has a genuine interest in eating disorders and their loved ones and a strong motivation to conduct research. Clinical experience in the field of eating disorders and experience conducting both quantitative and qualitative research are considered strong assets. A strong interest in the role of lived experience expertise in eating disorder care is desirable. Excellent communication skills and proficiency of the Dutch language, both spoken and written, are essential, as the project involves conducting qualitative interviews with Dutch-speaking participants.

• preferably you have a Research Master degree or a Master’s degree in the field of Clinical Psychology or Developmental Psychology;
• excellent social and organizational skills;

Furthermore your suitability is ideally exemplified by:

• well-developed analytical skills;
• excellent writing and presentation skills (English and preferably Dutch);
• clinical experience (especially with respect to eating disorders) is an advantage.

Our offer

• a job for 1 year, with an extension to a total of four years upon successful assessment;
• a working week of 36 - 40 hours and a gross monthly salary between €3,059 in the first year and €3,881 in the fourth year in the case of full-time employment (salary scale P under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU));
• 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus;
• a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU.

In addition to the terms of employment laid down in the CAO NU, Utrecht University also offers a range of its own schemes for employees. This includes arrangements for professional development, various types of leave, and options for sports and cultural activities. You can also tailor your employment conditions through our Terms of Employment Options Model. In this way, we encourage you to keep investing in your personal and professional development. For more information, please visit Working at Utrecht University.

Apply now

As Utrecht University, we want to be a home for everyone. We value staff with diverse backgrounds, perspectives and identities, including cultural, religious or ethnic background, gender, sexual orientation, disability or age. We strive to create a safe and inclusive environment in which everyone can flourish and contribute.

Knowledge security screening can be part of the selection procedures of academic staff. We do this, among other things, to prevent the unwanted transfer of sensitive knowledge and technology.

To apply, please send your curriculum vitae, including a letter of motivation, via the ‘apply now’ button.

Please note that international candidates that need a visa/work permit for the Netherlands require at least four months processing time after selection and acceptance. Our International Service Desk (ISD) can answer your questions about living in the Netherlands as international staff. Finding appropriate housing in or near Utrecht is your own responsibility, but the ISD may be able to advise you therewith. In case of general questions about working and living in The Netherlands, please consult the Dutch Mobility Portal.

The first round of interviews are scheduled for Monday 24th of August.

An assessment is part of the procedure.

The application deadline is 16 August 2026.