Tilburg University | Social Psychology
is looking for a
STUDENT ASSISTANT: Scaling Up Communication and Intercultural Skills Training Across Tilburg University
Department: Social Psychology
Hybrid: Tilburg
Contract size: 0,3-0,4 fte (12-16 hours per week)
Full-time gross monthly salary: €3.084 – €3.141
Contract duration: until May 1st 2028
Intended start date: September 14, 2026
We are looking for a student assistant to support the project ‘Scaling Up Communication and Intercultural Skills Training Across Tilburg University: Harnessing Horizontal and Vertical Asymmetries in Expertise and Diversity’. The project is led by Dr. Michael Bender (Department of Social Psychology, Tilburg School of Social and Behavioral Sciences) in collaboration with colleagues from Human Resource Studies (TSB), the Department of Culture Studies (TSHD), and the Department of Finance (TiSEM). The project is funded by the Dutch Research Council’s Programme Council for Higher Education (NRO) through the Scale-up Grant 2025.
Project description
Building on a successful pilot funded by an NRO Comenius Teaching Fellowship, this project scales up an evidence-based educational module that uses serious role-playing games to develop students’ intercultural and group-management skills. Local and international bachelor’s students take part in structured intercultural negotiation and mediation exercises, while master’s students are trained to facilitate these sessions and supervise group dynamics. Over two academic years, the module – previously piloted within Psychology programs – will be rolled out across multiple bachelor’s and master’s programs at three Tilburg University schools (TSB, TSHD and TiSEM), reaching an estimated 900 students per year. The project is planned to combine pre-/post intercultural-competence assessments, peer and facilitator ratings, and focus group interviews to evaluate and further improve the intervention.
Your position
As student assistant, you provide academic, logistical, and organizational support to the project lead and the wider project team. Your tasks include:
- Organizing meetings and harmonizing schedules/academic calendars across the participating programs and schools;
- Preparing and distributing educational materials (role-play scripts, briefings, peer-assessment rubrics, pre-/post assessment surveys);
- Acting as the main point of contact for participating bachelor’s and master’s students;
- Supporting the planning and logistics of facilitator-training sessions for master’s students;
- Assisting with the administration and processing of (pre-/post) assessment data.
- Literature review and methodological/data analytic assistance on assessment of intercultural communication skills and related topics.
- There will be days when working on campus is necessary, but meetings can also happen remotely (which is typical for academic work). Having regular in-person contact is important. This is why the contract is labelled both as ‘hybrid’ and ‘Tilburg’.
Your profile
- We are looking for a student with a completed bachelor’s degree (preferably in Psychology, Human Resource Studies, or a related social science) from Tilburg University.
- Minimum CEFR level [C2] English and [C2/C1] Dutch.
- You are proactive, precise, and a strong communicator, able to work both independently and as part of an interdisciplinary team.
- Affinity with intercultural communication, group dynamics, or educational innovation is an advantage.
- Experience with Qualtrics and/or SPSS/R is desirable specifically for the evidence-based aspect of the study.
What do we offer?
Tilburg University offers excellent benefits in a pleasant working environment:
- Employment of 0,3-0,4 fte (12-16 hours per week).
- Salary between €3.084 and €3.141 gross per month for full-time employment (UFO profile Student Assistant, salary scale SA). Salary depending on the course year you are in.
- This is a vacancy for a Student Assistant who contributes to scientific education or research in accordance with Article 10.1 paragraph 2 CLA Dutch Universities. You will receive a temporary contract from September 14, 2026 until May 1st, 2028.
- Vacation pay of 8% and a year-end bonus of 8.3%.
- More than 8 weeks of vacation leave.
- If you don’t have student grants, reimbursement for sustainable commuting: walking, cycling and public transportation.
- Inclusive work culture: everyone welcome, equal opportunities.
Want to know more?
Would you like to know more before applying? Feel free to contact Dr. Michael Bender at
[email protected].
Want to apply?
We kindly invite you to apply before 23rd of August; this can only be done online. Address your cover letter to Dr. Michael Bender and attach your resume. We look forward to your response.
The letter selection will take place at the beginning of the last week of August. You will be notified as soon as possible thereafter (in everyone’s interest). The selection interviews will take place Wednesday the 26th of August, in the afternoon, shortly after the application deadline.
The selection committee consists of:
- Dr. Michael Bender, Associate Professor
- Dr. Loes Abrahams, Assistant Professor
You will ideally start working for Tilburg University on September 14, 2026.
About Tilburg University
Tilburg University is the university in the humanities and social sciences. Ever since our foundation in 1927, we have been committed to a just, inclusive, and sustainable society. With leading research and inspiring education, we contribute to the interpretation and, where possible, solutions to current societal issues, from climate change to digitalization.
Our community is personal, engaged, and small-scale. On our green, compact, and vibrant campus there is room for encounter, collaboration, reflection, and personal growth. Read more about Tilburg University.
Working at Tilburg University means working in an inclusive team with attractive employment conditions. At Tilburg University, you will receive ample opportunities to strengthen your talents and develop your career, in a warm working atmosphere where we attach great importance to the following values: curious, connected, caring, and courageous.
About Tilburg School of Social and Behavioral Sciences
Tilburg School of Social and Behavioral Sciences (TSB) is a modern, specialized university. The teaching and research of the Tilburg School of Social and Behavioral Sciences are organized around the themes of Adaptive societies, organizations, and workers, Healthy life span, Personalized prevention and care. The School's inspiring working environment challenges its workers to realize their ambitions; involvement and cooperation are essential to achieve this.
Tilburg School of Social and Behavioral Sciences
About the Department of Social Psychology
The Department of Social Psychology is home to a dedicated team of educators and researchers, each with their own unique expertise. Our primary areas of focus encompass three specialized fields: Social Psychology, Economic Psychology and Work&Organizational Psychology. We are dedicated to fostering a rich learning environment and empowering our students with the tools they need to excel. Our educational approach focuses on a dual commitment: the in-depth exploration of psychological theory and the acquisition of professional and research skills. This combined approach ensures that our students not only deepen their understanding of psychology as a science but also learn to apply their knowledge effectively in addressing pertinent issues.
Read more about the Department of Social Psychology.
Application Code
Tilburg University uses the NVP job application code.
Disclaimer
The text of this job posting is the copyright property of Tilburg University. Use, distribution or publication of (parts of) this text is not permitted without the express permission of Tilburg University. This also applies to recruitment and selection agencies not acting on behalf of Tilburg University. Tilburg University only cooperates with agencies with which an agreement has been concluded. Unsolicited acquisition or mediation will not be considered.
