Addressing an early precursor of student wellbeing: teacher-child relationship and classroom-level interaction quality as promoters of children’s working memory performance.

relationship and classroom-level interaction quality as promoters of children's working memory performance.

(ref. BAP-2023-108)

Last modification : Friday, March 3, 2023

We offer a full-time PhD research position in the field of teacher-student interactions and executive functions at the Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, research group Parenting and Special Education. The candidate will be enrolled in a Red Noses project funded by the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO) bringing together researchers from KU Leuven, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and Oregon State University.

If we want children to develop into competent, autonomous and mentally healthy individuals then adequate executive functions in general and working memory (WM) in particular are of utmost importance. WM is a consistent and long term, strong predictor for academic performance, functioning and wellbeing. Recent classroom intervention programs that stimulate WM aim to create the most optimal classroom conditions in which WM can thrive. Classroom quality however depends heavily on both supportive classroom level teacher-student interactions and on the affective quality of teachers' relationships with a child. Yet, we lack knowledge of which specific interactional and relational strategies contribute to this effect on WM. As a consequence, existing WM programs are at risk of (1)not integrating the most effective strategies to create the optimal classroom conditions, (2) including too many strategies posing too much burden on teachers, and (3) inducing limited effects because the relational context in which interactions take place is not addressed.

The main aim of this project is to determine the most optimal combination of intervention strategies to improve WM, and to examine enhanced effects of these strategies in conditions of a warm, conflict-free teacher-child relationship. We will use (1) microtrials to determine the positive effect of classroom instructional, emotional and organizational support strategies on working memory performance and development, and (2)consequent single case design. In focus groups interviews, we will investigate the barriers and facilitators that teachers experience while implementing these strategies. Insights from this project will lead to the development of a teacher-student WM-toolbox.

The candidate we are looking for:

- already has or will have obtained a Master's degree in Psychology or Educational Sciences by July 2023

- has strong affinity with research in education, school psychology or clinically relevant research in children

- has excellent organizational skills as the candidate will run multi-center microtrials

- is expected to speak fluently Dutch, because the job includes testing of Dutch-speaking children as well as intensive contact with teachers and schools

- has good data analytical skills

- has strong affinity with working with children and people in their context (e.g., teachers, parents)

- is a research-minded, independent critical thinker, but also a team player

- has good oral and academic writing skills in English and Dutch

The job offer involves a full-time position for 1 year, after positive evaluation a maximum of 2 more years can be added. The candidate is expected to prepare a PhD within these 3 years, which is deemed feasible since data collection for the microtrials (instructional support and control condition) has already started. Starting date will be 16th of August 2023.

We offer a dynamic, international, stimulating and supportive research environment. The project is a collaboration between supervisors at KU Leuven (dr. Dieter Baeyens and dr. Jantine Spilt), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (dr. Mariëtte Huizinga) and Oregon State University (dr. Megan McClelland).

Your workplace is located at KU Leuven, campus Leuven (with the option of working parttime from home). Besides the salary, KU Leuven offers some additional advantages, such as hospitalization insurance, reimbursement for commuting by public transport, a KU Leuven bicycle, eco-vouchers, working from home, etc.

For more information please contact dr. Dieter Baeyens, tel.: +32 16 32 60 68, mail: [email protected], dr. Mariëtte Huizinga, mail: [email protected] or dr. Jantine Spilt, mail: [email protected]

Candidates should submit their CV and application letter no later than 15th of May 2023. Based on the evaluation of these documents, candidates are selected for an interview. Candidates that are selected for an interview will be informed, no later than 19th of May 2023. The first round of interviews will be scheduled on Friday 26 of May 2023. The invitation for the interview will include a preparatory assignment which will need to be presented during the interview.

KU Leuven seeks to foster an environment where all talents can flourish, regardless of gender, age, cultural background, nationality or impairments. If you have any questions relating to accessibility or support, please contact us at [email protected]

For more information please contact Prof. dr. Dieter Baeyens, tel.: +32 16 32 60 68, mail: [email protected] or Prof. dr. Jantine Spilt, tel.: +32 16 37 30 91, mail: [email protected]

KU Leuven seeks to foster an environment where all talents can flourish, regardless of gender, age, cultural background, nationality or impairments. If you have any questions relating to accessibility or support, please contact us at [email protected]