PhD-position "Psychedelics for personal and planetary health"
Deadline: 15 May 2024
Job Description
During the course of this PhD position, you will conduct a series of observational and placebo-controlled, experimental drug trials in healthy volunteers, investigating whether psychedelic drugs’ ability to elicit self-transcendent emotions and feelings of connectedness to nature can be used to investigate key processes that may elicit transformative shifts in human cognition and behaviors that are not only related to personal health, but also towards environmental sustainability.
This proposed research is part of a synergistic, novel collaboration between the Maastricht Sustainability Institute (MSI), School of Business Economics (SBE), and the Department of Neuropsychology and Psychopharmacology (DNP), Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience (FPN), to explore the mechanisms by which a pharmacological intervention (a psychedelic) may enhance both personal and planetary health. You would work between both institutes throughout your four years PhD.
Additionally, 10% of your time will be dedicated to teaching courses relevant to this research line, in both institutes.
Requirements
Background
Successful completion of a master’s degree in psychology, environmental psychology, psychopharmacology, behavioral or ecological economics, or a related field.
- A scientific mindset, critical thinking capacity, and a strong interest in psychopharmacology and environmental psychology.
- Competence in written/spoken English.
- Excellent communication skills and the ability to work independently and in a team.
- Previous experience in a research setting is not required but a plus.
- Someone who can start in the position fully by September 1, 2024
- Applicants are expected to include a concise CV, and a (max. 1 page) motivation letter. In addition, a research proposal related to the topic will need to be submitted (1 page, with an additional page for references and a reference list, using APA referencing style). This is to get a broad idea about how you would be addressing this topic.
- Initial interview dates are scheduled for: 28 and 30 May, 2024.