2 PhDs in MSCA Network: Studying social influences on gender

Gender-InSIGHT is an international network focused on the Investigation of biopsychoSocial Influences on Gender during (diverse) Hormonal Transitions. The network brings together multiple disciplines such as psychology, history, ethics, endocrinology, neuroscience, and public health. Through collaborative and mixed methods research, the projects aim to enhance understanding of how biopsychosocial factors influence hormonal transitions such as puberty and menopause, in both the general population and in individuals with variations of sex characteristics, as well as trans and gender-diverse individuals. The historical, clinical, and societal lenses will guide the research:

• The historical lens will explore the ethical and historical implications of changing perceptions of gender and hormones over time.
• The clinical lens will provide guidelines for healthcare providers on how to address gender-related biopsychosocial factors in clinical settings.
• The societal lens will investigate societal pressures and media communication surrounding gender and its biopsychosocial nature across cultures.

The project also aims to influence culture, media, healthcare, and public policy through collaboration with partners from the non-academic sector. Two PhD vacancies are available—one focusing on social health in transgender people and the other on gender and social media.

Would you like to know more about the different phases within the PhD trajectory? You can read more about this on this page.

PhD 1: Social health among transgender people
This research will aim:

• To gain a deeper understanding of the social health of trans and gender-diverse people
• To explore associations between gender-affirming hormone therapy, social gender affirmation, psychosocial functioning, and social health
• To improve healthcare by integrating social health and social gender affirmation into clinical and community settings

In this project, the social health (e.g., loneliness, social support, social networks) of trans and gender-diverse people will be studied. Part of the research will be carried out within the AFFIRM Relationships project, a prospective cohort study tracking individuals before and up to two years after starting gender-affirming hormone therapy. The PhD candidate will also collaborate with clinicians at the Center of Expertise on Gender Dysphoria to investigate how social health and gender affirmation are considered in clinical settings. Additionally, a secondment at the Harry Benjamin Research Center in Oslo, Norway will help translate research findings into community impact.

PhD 2: Gender and social media
This research will aim:

• To compare social media engagement among adolescents and young adults across different gender identities
• To analyze gender-related messages across various social media platforms
• To investigate the impact of social media on gender expression, identity, and development in adolescents and young adults

In this project, the PhD candidate will examine how social media platforms communicate gender-related messages and their impact on the gender-related experiences of adolescents and young adults. Using large language models, the research will identify common gender-related themes across platforms and assess how these messages affect individuals' gender expression and identity. A portion of this research will be conducted within the AFFIRM Relationships project. The candidate will also collaborate with the Amsterdam Public Health Service to gain experience in social media content analysis and develop materials that are sensitive to the developmental stages of adolescents and young adults.

Please indicate in your cover letter which PhD position (Position 1 or Position 2) you are applying for.

• A Master's degree in psychology or a related social science field
• Strong analytical skills and a passion for problem-solving
• An excellent academic record and a scientific curiosity
• Fluent spoken and written English

Additionally, the following experience would be beneficial, but not essential:

• Research experience in trans, gender-diverse, or other marginalized populations
• Experience with R or similar quantitative software
• Knowledge of Dutch (not required but advantageous)

Note: Important strict eligibility criteria according to MARIE SKLODOWSKA CURIE programs:

1. You must be in the first four years of your research career and not yet have been awarded a doctoral degree at the time of recruitment.
2. At the time of the application deadline, you must also have a  Master's degree and must not have resided or carried out your main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the Netherlands for more than 12 months in the three years prior to the contract start date.
3. A 3-6 month internship in another laboratory/country will be part of the Marie Curie project.

If you have not already done so, please visit the Gender-InSIGHT webpage to complete the eligibility screening questions for this application.