Vacancy number: 16741
Job type: Academic staff
Contract hours min: 38
Contract hours max: 38
Location: Leiden
Applying is possible up to and including: 7 augustus 2026
Postdoctoral Researcher position on Increasing the visibility of public engagement activities and their outputs for Open Science monitoring (INCVIS)
Given its potential for facilitating science-society dialogue and building public trust in the knowledge production process, ‘open engagement with societal actors’ is recognised internationally as a core element of Open Science (OS). However, current frameworks for monitoring OS are ill-equipped for capturing the variety and impact of such Public Engagement Activities (PEAs) and their outputs. In response, this project will develop strategies for making PEAs more visible in OS monitoring exercises, with an eye toward supporting greater recognition and reward for researchers who incorporate these practices, and informing further strategic investments, policy development and capacity building in OS more broadly.
What you will do
The purpose of this position is to conduct original research which further develops empirical as well as conceptual insights regarding the classification and capture of Public Engagement Activities in academic research and capacity building to improve their visibility.
The Postdoctoral Researcher hired onto this project will lead or otherwise collaborate on the design, execution, and analysis of:
- A bibliometric study of impact statements on successful grants funded by NWO, led by project co-lead Thed van Leeuwen, in order to identify a longlist of projects where PEAs are used and to inform recruitment for subsequent in-depth interviews
- Interviews with researchers, repository managers, university knowledge brokers, and science communication/engagement professionals, with the aim of developing a preliminary inventory of PEAs in terms of their processes and outputs, and an overview of current challenges in registering these in relevant research information systems
- A questionnaire targeting relevant stakeholders in the Dutch academic landscape, with the aim of further refining and structuring the inventory of PEAs as a typology/taxonomy
- Community consultations with PEA practitioners, aiming to elicit perspectives on which elements of PEA processes and outputs are most critical for their documentation and registration, and to capture community preferences and norms that should be accounted for in their monitoring
- Dialogue sessions with repository providers and CRIS system managers, in order to identify existing and future capacity needed to better support documentation and registration of PEAs
- Co-creation sessions, bringing together researchers and experts in research information, to collectively devise new sociotechnical strategies propitious to increasing the visibility of PEAs in the digital scholarly record.
You will work closely with the other three members of the INCVIS team: Andrew S. Hoffman (Project Lead, Service Scientist - Research Data Management, CWTS/CADS), Thed van Leeuwen (Project Co-Lead, Senior Researcher and Professor, CWTS), and Louise Bezuidenhout (Senior Researcher, CWTS).
Where you will work
The Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences consists of five institutes: the Centre for Science and Technology Studies, Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology, Education and Child Studies, Political Science, and Psychology. The faculty is home to approximately 7,000 students and 1,000 staff members. Our institutes are dedicated not only to education but also to groundbreaking research that pushes the boundaries of our understanding of human behavior and societal structures. What makes our faculty unique is the diversity of research topics, the variety of teaching approaches, and the way professional support is structured. This provides you with the opportunity to explore and develop your interests and expertise. For an introduction to our faculty, visit our website: Welcome to the Leiden Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences – Leiden University.
The Centre for Science and Technology Studies (CWTS) at Leiden University is a renowned research institute in the field of research on research. Our mission is to improve how science is practiced and governed and how it serves society. Besides our cutting-edge research, we also provide training, consultancy, and research intelligence; we engage in advocacy initiatives, and we contribute to policy making. Our work focuses on three broad areas: societal engagement and inclusion in the research system, responsible research evaluation and healthy research cultures, and openness of research information. For more information, please visit our website.
Upon appointment, you will join an interdisciplinary team of researchers and data practitioners at CWTS as a member of the CWTS Open Science Lab and the Engagement & Inclusion and Evaluation & Culture Focal Areas.
What you bring
- A PhD degree in social sciences, informatics, (digital) humanities, or another relevant field
- A strong collaborative ethos and an ability to work independently
- Demonstrated understanding of the Open Science landscape in the Netherlands
- Experience working with qualitative and co-creation methods, including expert interviews and focus groups
- Familiarity with Public Engagement Activities used in academic and transdisciplinary research, and their associated processes and outputs
- Knowledge of workflows and infrastructures supporting scholarly communication, (open) research information, research data management, (non-traditional) research outputs, and/or research monitoring practices
- Fluency in English, with the ability to conduct parts of the research in Dutch viewed as an asset
- Excellent written and oral communication, project management, and time management skills
If this sounds like you, or if you don’t quite tick all the above boxes but are keen on expanding your knowledge and skillset, we look forward to receiving your application!
What we offer
Our goal is to work together to create a transparent and inclusive work environment in which everyone feels welcome and appreciated. Our organisation is always evolving and we need your ideas for improvement and innovation to take us further. We want to devote attention to your personal development.
You can expect an enjoyable job within the socially relevant world of education and research. The University's challenging and international work environment is located just steps away from Leiden’s lively city centre or the bustling city centre of The Hague. We also want to work with you to devote attention to your health and vitality, for example with the fun activities we organise through Healthy University.
We also offer:
- An employment contract for 38 hours per week as Senior Researcher (Researcher 3), for a period of two years. This contract falls under the CLA of Dutch Universities;
- A salary of € 4728 gross per month, based on a full-time appointment (38 hours) (scale 11.0);
- A holiday allowance (8%), an end-of-year bonus (8,3%), and an attractive pension scheme at ABP;
- Full reimbursement of public transport commuting costs for home-to-work travel;
- Flexible working hours: as a standard, you are entitled to a minimum of 29 leave days on the basis of a full-time working week of 38 hours; you can also save for extra leave, for example by working 40 hours a week, and in this way accrue an extra 96 leave hours, or exchange 96 leave hours for a 36-hour week.
- Lots of options when it comes to secondary employment conditions; we can, for example, discuss options for a sabbatical or paid parental leave. Within our terms of employment individual choices model, you can exchange leave days and/or salary for benefits such as an advantageous sports subscription and bicycle scheme;
- If your work allows it, hybrid working is possible within the Netherlands;
- A home-working allowance (day and internet allowance) and attention for good workplaces. The University will also provide you with a laptop and a mobile telephone.
For more information about employment conditions, see https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/working-at/job-application-procedure-and-employment-conditions
What we value
Promoting an inclusive community is central to Leiden University’s values and vision. Leiden University aims to be an inclusive community in which all students and staff members feel valued and respected, and are able to develop to their full potential. Diversity in experiences and perspectives enriches our teaching and strengthens our research. High-quality education and research means inclusive education and research.
Want to apply or find out more?
If you want to apply straight away, click the application button.
If you would like more information about what the job entails, please contact Dr. A.S. Hoffman Ph.D, Service Scientist - Research Data Management, at [email protected]. You can apply until 7 augustus 2026; You will receive a response to your application no later than two weeks after the vacancy closing date.
To help us get to know each other better, we follow a number of steps in the application procedure. For more information, see https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/working-at/job-application-procedure-and-employment-conditions
- In choosing between candidates, in case of equal suitability, preference will be given to internal candidates, women, the occupationally disabled and employees with a migration background.
- You live and are officially registered as resident in The Netherlands or are willing to relocate upon starting the position.
- A pre-employment screening (references, diplomas, certificate of good conduct (VOG)) may be part of the selection procedure.
- We ensure that our lecturers have a good level of English competency. Lectures who teach subjects in English have a minimum level of C1 for their English proficiency. We also believe it is important for international staff to have a good level of Dutch: they are expected to have at least C1 level of Dutch proficiency. Other staff who have the prospect of a permanent position are expected to have at least a passive understanding of Dutch.
- Leiden University expects faculty members to obtain the Basic Teaching Qualification (BKO). If the new employee does not yet hold this qualification or its equivalent, they must be willing to obtain it within two years.
- Acquisition in response to this vacancy is not appreciated. If you nevertheless choose to send us CVs, no rights can be derived from this. #LI-Hybrid
