In this project, multidisciplinary scientists from six Dutch Universities collaborate around the theme ‘stress in daily life’. The Consortium explores this topic within three distinct Research Themes: (RT1) Towards a comprehensive theory of stress in daily life context, (RT2) Assessment of stress in daily life for monitoring and intervention, and (RT3) Impact of daily life stress response on integrated mental & somatic health. The project is funded through the Dutch Research Council under the Gravitation programme. More details can be found at https://stress-in-action.nl/.
We are looking for a research assistant to contribute to ongoing work on Research Theme 2 which aims to develop a toolkit for daily life stress monitoring and intervention. Focus of this research is placed on both the physiological and cognitive aspects of the stress response. Human physiology is strongly influenced by stress and increasing evidence suggests that chronic stress is linked to both mental and cardiovascular diseases. Similarly, cognitive functioning can be affected by stress contributing to cognitive mistakes in daily life. These stress-related cognitive failures disrupt daily functioning and can lead to long-term health consequences including cognitive decline and mental disorders. Considering the negative effects of daily life stress, and with most research relying on laboratory findings, we aim to move the stress assessment from lab to daily life. This is possible thanks to advances in wearable and mobile technology allowing for active and passive assessment of physiological, cognitive and behavioural patterns. However, the validity of those tools and best methods of implementation remain unclear. We therefore aim to (1) create a systematic overview of available tools, (2) validate wearable devices through VR stress simulation, as well as smartphone-based cognitive tasks, against in-lab gold standard methods, (3) validate passing sensing features in predicting cognitive performance and (4) investigate the relationship between stress and cognition in daily life through ecological momentary assessment (EMA).
Responsibility/tasks:
This position would be for a duration of one year, with 3 to 4 days working per week. Your tasks as a research assistant will include:
* Setting up physiological measurements (e.g. ECG) in BMS lab
* Preparing, assisting and running experiments about:
1. VR stress simulation for validation of wearable devices in BMS lab
2. Validating cognitive assessments in BMS lab and in daily life
* Working with wearable devices and creating protocols for their use
* Managing and preprocessing experimental data and labelling interview transcripts
* Managing and processing passive sensing data (e.g., GPS)
* Conducting literature search and updating existing databases (wearables, cognitive assessments and sleep trackers)
Information and application
Are you interested to be part of our team? Please submit your application latest 27 March 2025 and include:
* A motivation letter
* A Curriculum Vitae
About the organisation
The Faculty of Behavioral, Management and Social sciences (BMS) aims to play a key role in understanding, jointly developing and evaluating innovations in society. Technological developments are the engine of innovation. As a technical university that puts people first, we tailor them to human needs and behavior. We also ensure adequate governance at public and private level, and robust, inclusive and fair organizational structures. We do this by developing, sharing and applying high-quality knowledge in Psychology, Business Administration, Public Administration, Communication Sciences, Philosophy, Educational Sciences and Health Sciences. Our research and education in these disciplines revolves around tackling and solving societal challenges. The research programs of BMS are closely linked to the research of the UT institutes Mesa+ Institute for Nanotechnology, TechMed Center and Digital Society Institute.
As an employer, the Faculty of BMS offers work that matters. We equip you to create new possibilities for yourself and for our society. With us, you will become part of a leading technical university with increasing, positive social impact. We offer an open, inclusive and entrepreneurial atmosphere, in which we encourage you to make healthy choices, for example through our flexible, adaptable benefits.
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