PhD in Developmental Psychology with a focus on the development of metacognitive skills
Preferred starting date is November 1, 2026.
The Faculty of Psychology is one of seven faculties of the oldest university in Switzerland. With our core focus on Society & Choice and Health & Interventions, we are successful both nationally and internationally in our research and study programs.
The PhD candidate will join the Human Development group at the Faculty of Psychology, University of Basel and contribute to a research program investigating the development of metacognitive skills across childhood and adolescence. Metacognitive skills play a central role in successful learning because they enable learners to monitor their own understanding, recognize uncertainty, detect errors, and regulate their behavior accordingly.
The PhD project will examine how metacognitive monitoring and regulation develop across different age groups and within individuals over time. A particular focus will be on complex learning activities, such as text comprehension and reasoning. The project will investigate questions such as whether children can accurately evaluate their own performance, recognize misunderstandings and errors, and adapt their learning strategies when difficulties arise. To address contemporary challenges in the control of learning, the project will further investigate how children and adolescents use AI-based tools in situations of uncertainty, with a particular focus on age-related developmental differences in recognizing when external support is needed.
The research combines cross-sectional and longitudinal approaches to understand developmental changes in metacognitive skills from childhood through adolescence. Data collection will primarily take place in schools, where children and adolescent research participants will complete computer-based learning tasks designed to capture metacognitive monitoring and regulation during task performance.
The successful candidate will work in a collaborative and interdisciplinary research environment and will have opportunities to develop expertise in developmental research methods, educational research, longitudinal designs and advanced statistical analyses.
Your position
- Coordinate and conduct research on the development of metacognitive monitoring and control across childhood and adolescence.
- Design research tasks to investigate metacognitive monitoring and control.
- Contribute to research coordination, and organizational tasks within the research group.
- Collect data in schools, including establishing and maintaining collaborative relationships with schools and teachers.
- Manage and analyze cross-sectional and longitudinal data using advanced statistical methods.
- Disseminate research findings through peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations and reports.
- Communicate scientific findings to schools, teachers, educational practitioners, and the broader public, and contribute to science communication and knowledge transfer.
- Contribute to teaching activities (e.g., seminars, supervision of bachelor's and master's students).
- Contribute to research coordination, and organizational tasks within the research group.
Your profile
- You have a very good master's degree in Psychology.
- You are interested in cognitive and developmental processes underlying learning.
- You enjoy working with children and adolescents and are motivated to engage with schools, teachers, and other educational stakeholders.
- You have excellent knowledge of research methods and statistics and are interested in learning new methodological and statistical approaches. Experience with longitudinal, developmental, or school-based research is an asset.
- You are proficient in data analysis using R.
- You have programming skills or are willing to learn programming for developing and implementing computerized research tasks.
- You are proficient in both English and German and can communicate effectively with researchers, students, teachers and other stakeholders.
- You are organized, proactive, and able to work independently and reliably.
- You enjoy working collaboratively in a research team.
We offer you
- Joining a new and dynamic team and working on highly topical issues.
- Involvement in the research group's projects.
- Opportunities to present your work at international conferences and workshops and to undertake research visits with collaborating researchers and institutions.
- Participation in an active doctoral program in the research area Society & Choice, with opportunities to attend courses, seminars, and guest lectures.
- Employment conditions according to university guidelines for doctoral candidates.
- The position is initially limited to 1 year. Upon positive evaluation, the position will be extended for an additional 3 years.
Basel is situated in Switzerland, at the borders to France and Germany. It's a vibrant and welcoming city, and an excellent place to live and work. Quality of life, health care and public transportation meet the highest standards.
The University of Basel stands for excellence through diversity and is committed to equal opportunities and family-friendliness.
Please submit in addition to your CV *one single* PDF file with the applicant's name as the file name via the online portal (applications through other channels will not be considered). This file should consist of:
- A one-page cover letter describing your research interests, relevant experience, and fit with the position
- Transcripts of records and degree certificates from your studies
- The contact details of one academic referee
Applications should be submitted not later than August 12, 2026.
In-person interviews will take place on September 16, 2026 in Basel.
Please do not hesitate to send us an email for further inquiries. For questions related to tasks and the job profile please contact Prof. Dr. Mariëtte van Loon, mariette.vanloon@unibas.ch. For questions about the application process please contact hr-psychologie@unibas.ch. We are looking forward to receiving your application!
