PhD position on effective interventions tot increase social and academic integration of new STEM students

The proposed research belongs to Leuven Engineering & Science Education Centre, the unit “Study career guidance”. Our goal is to improve the first year experience and success of new students in Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics, ie. by developing tools and interventions to improved study guidance. See website for an overview of previous and current research projects.
Website unit

Project

The PhD student has to investigate the social and academic integration of new students in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics) and the challenges that are faced by minorities (ie. first-generation students, women, apprenticeship students) during the transition to higher education. To accomplish this, the PhD student has to

• develop and validate instruments to measure social and academic integration of these students
• collect quantitative and qualitative data on social and academic integration of students before and after implementation of innovative interventions that were designed to improve the social and academic integration of new STEM students
• investigate the effectiveness of the various interventions related to improving social and academic integration, well-being, and perceived support of the above mentioned target groups
• optimize the innovative interventions in order to improve their effectiveness

Profile

• You obtained a Master degree (cum laude/distinction) in a STEM domain and you combine this with a high interest in education and inclusion, or you obtained a Master degree in Educational or Social sciences, and you combine this with a high interest in STEM.
• You are highly motivated, meticulous and creative
• You have a good statistical knowledge and excellent communication and planning skills
• You have an excellent knowledge of English and good notions of Dutch. Fluency in Dutch is highly recommended, notions of French are a bonus.

• You can work independently but are also a team player

Offer

• The candidate that is finally selected will receive a 2-year Ph.D. fellowship that is conditionally extendable up to 4 years; 
• The start date of the Ph.D. is in January 2025

Interested?

For more information please contact Prof. dr. Carolien Van Soom, mail: carolien.vansoom@kuleuven.be or Dr. Lynn Van den Broeck, mail: lynn.vandenbroeck@kuleuven.be.

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.