My name is Nicolas Lopes and I’m a PhD student in social psychology. I joined Adoc Talent Management in January 2022 as a research assistant. After graduating, I qualified as a social psychologist and was subsequently hired as a recruitment and research assistant. Since May 2023, I’ve been attached to the interdisciplinary PhD laboratory to carry out my CIFRE thesis in social psychology. My subject? Stereotypes associated with PhDs and their impact on recruitment.

My research focuses on the perception of stereotypes, seeking to understand how social groups are represented in society and how these perceptions shape individuals. Beyond stereotypes, I also explore related phenomena such as impostor syndrome. Additionally, I am deeply interested in competencies, employability, and career development.

My primary research project is my doctoral thesis, titled: Stereotypes Associated with Doctoral Graduates in France: Identification, Consequences, and Moderators of Their Effects. This work aims to analyze the nature and prevalence of stereotypes associated with PhD holders in France, while also examining their consequences in professional recruitment contexts.

I taught two courses during my PhD at the University of Paris Nanterre, as part of the psychology program (2nd to 3rd year). One course focused on experimental research methodologies in psychology (48h), while the other was dedicated to professional communication, helping students recognize their skills and improve their oral presentation abilities (24h).

1. Bran, A., & Lopes, N. (2025). Stereotypes and biases in recruiting PhD holders: a professional profile experiment. Higher Education Research & Development, 1-16. https://doi.org/10.1080/07294360.2025.2462021

2. Bran, A., Lopes, N., & Lafon, M. (2024). PhD graduates’ appraisals of work demands: challenging, hindering, and not very threatening. Studies in Higher Education, 49(3), 559-575. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/03075079.2023.2244963

We are currently collaborating with the University of Paris Nanterre, and more specifically with the Laboratoire Parisien de Psychologie Sociale (LAPPS) as part of my CIFRE thesis.