Education

• 2012: PhD, University of Zurich
• 2008: Diploma in Psychology (Dipl.-Psych., M.Sc. equivalent), Technical University of Braunschweig, Germany

Academic appointments

• Since 2025/02: Full professor, University of Neuchâtel
• 2021-2025: Assistant professor (with tenure track), University of Neuchâtel
• 2020-2021: Assistant professor (with tenure track), University of Erlangen-Nuremberg (FAU), Germany
• 2014-2020: Senior research and teaching associate, University of Zurich, Switzerland
• 2014: Visiting researcher, Portland State University Business School, USA
• 2011-2013: Research and teaching associate, University of Zurich
• 2010: Visiting researcher, Washington State University Vancouver, USA
• 2008-2011: Doctoral student, University of Zurich, Switzerland

My primary areas of research are: (1) economic stressors, (2) resources and recovery, and (3) impression management and social interactions in the work context. In light of ongoing societal/technological advancements and future developments, investigating these areas is crucial for understanding how individuals, organizations, and societies can effectively adapt to and capitalize on the evolving landscape of work.

My research is characterized by a multi-method and multi-source approach. I combine different methods and designs, including time-lagged, measurement-intensive, dyadic and experimental designs as well as qualitative approaches. Furthermore, I leverage different types of data such as survey data from multiple sources, large-scale national and international panel data, cultural factors, micro- and macro-economic indicators, and physiological indicators obtained through sensors. 

The overarching goal of my research is threefold: first, to contribute to scientific progress and theory development; second, to pinpoint strategies and factors that promote sustained well-being and performance across individuals' entire careers, particularly in today's competitive and rapidly changing world of work; and third, to provide science-based insights that assist organizations and policymakers in effectively supporting, developing, and leading their employees. 

Outreach activities (recent)

• Interview with WirtschaftsWoche on impression management and career success (February 2025)

Currently ongoing third-party funded projects

• Employee Overqualification from a Leadership Perspective: From Perception to Action” (PI, CHF 569’007, four years, Swiss National Science Foundation)

• Psychologie du travail (lecture)
• Overqualification; voluntary work behavior (seminar)
• Leadership (lecture)

Newest publications (See all publications)

Debus, M.E., Probst, T.M., Bazzoli, A., & Lee, H. J. (2025). The long reach of unemployment: Sensitizing or inoculating employee reactions to job insecurity? Journal of Business and Psychology. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10869-025-10052-5

Unger, D., Bika, Z., Debus, M.E., Hopp, C., & Klehe, U.-C. (2025). Scarred or spared? A review of micro- and macro-level unemployment’s effects on children’s education and careers. Journal of Business and Psychology. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10869-025-10049-0

Anžur, Z., Žinkovič, K., Lukan, J., Barbiero, P., Slapničar, G., Li, M., Gjoreski, M., Debus, M. E., Trojer, S., Luštrek, M., & Langheinrich, M. (2025). A review of methods for unobtrusive measurement of work-related well-being. Machine Learning and Knowledge Extraction, 7(3), 62. https://doi.org/10.3390/make7030062

Ebert, T., Bipp, T. & Debus, M.E. (2025). Stability, reciprocity, and antecedent-outcome relations of different job crafting forms. Occupational Health Science. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41542-025-00230-5

Jiang, L., Debus, M. E., Xu, X., Hu, X., Lopez-Bohle, S., Petitta, L., Roll, L. C., Stander, M., & Wang, H. (2025). Preparing for a rainy day: A regulatory focus perspective on job insecurity and proactive career behaviors. Applied Psychology: An International Review, 74(2). Article e70004. https://doi.org/10.1111/apps.70004

da Motta Veiga, S., Debus, M. E., Wilhelmy, A., Ambühl, M., Hasler, K., & Kleinmann, M. (2024). Contextual and personal resources in unemployed job search: An intra-individual perspective. Applied Psychology: An International Review, 74(1). Article e12540. https://doi.org/10.1111/apps.12540

Debus, M. E., Ingold, P. V., Gross, C., & Bolino, M. C. (2024). Reaching the top? Profiles of impression management and career success. Journal of Business and Psychology, 39, 1283–1301. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10869-024-09954-7 

Debus, M. E., & Unger, D. (2024). Disrupting the social and time vacuum: A systemic and lifespan perspective on job insecurity. Applied Psychology: An International Review, 73(4), 1994-2001. https://doi.org/10.1111/apps.12536

Körner, B., Debus, M. E., Wu, C. H., & Kleinmann, M. (2024). How and when do frequent daily work interruptions contribute to or undermine daily job satisfaction? A stress appraisal perspective. Journal of Organizational Behavior. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1002/job.2833

Debus, M. E., Körner, B., Wang, M., & Kleinmann, M. (2023). Reacting to perceived overqualification: Uniting strain-based and self-regulatory adjustment reactions and the moderating role of formal work arrangements. Journal of Business and Psychology, 38(2), 411-435. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10869-022-09870-8