The Centre for Science and Technology Studies (CWTS) of the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences is looking for a

PhD candidate Monitoring Open Science Policies and Practices (1,0FTE)
Vacancy number 13576

Leiden University takes the transition towards Open Science seriously. In the first stages, this transition will aim at further opening of the scholarly communication and publication processes, further improvement of FAIR data management and open data and software practices, and further strengthening of the relationship between the university and society at large through citizen science.

Are you interested in studying this transition and its impact? And do you want to contribute to this important cultural and behavioural change by informing daily research practices with robust scientific evidence? Then we are looking forward to meeting you! We have a job opening for a PhD candidate with good qualitative and/or quantitative research skills to work in the research program Monitoring Open Science Policies and Practices.

About the research program
Open Science refers to ways of working in academia that are focused on closer cooperation, increased transparency and more open knowledge sharing in all stages of the research process. Leiden University has an ambitious Open Science program “Creating and Circulating Knowledge in Resilient Societies” through which it promotes the adoption of Open Science practices.

The research program Monitoring Open Science Policies and Practices is embedded within the Open Science program of Leiden University. It aims to provide robust scientific evidence to support the implementation of the Open Science program. Researchers contributing to the research program Monitoring Open Science Policies and Practices are based at Leiden University’s Centre for Science and Technology Studies (CWTS). CWTS houses a vibrant community of science studies researchers. The study of open science practices (e.g., open scholarly communication, open research information, citizen science, etc.) and connections between open science and responsible approaches to research assessment play a prominent role in the agenda of the centre.

Job description
We have a job opening for a PhD candidate in the research program Monitoring Open Science Policies and Practices. Under supervision of senior colleagues at CWTS, the PhD candidate will work on a research project focused on studying the adoption, implementation, and effects of Open Science policies and practices at Leiden University. This may cover a range of different elements in the transition towards more open knowledge practices, including design of research, conducting research, reporting on research practices, scholarly communication processes, and interactions between the scholarly communities and societal actors and stakeholders. The project may also address connections between open knowledge practices and research assessment policies, including recognition and reward of Open Science practices. These connections are at the heart of the Academia in Motion program that is currently being implemented at Leiden University. Work in this area could also be developed in conjunction with the ARIA project.

The PhD candidate will carry out their research partly through joint activities or projects with relevant partners at Leiden University, such as the Centre for Digital Scholarship (CDS) located at the University Library, the Leiden Digital Competence Centre (LDCC; home of the data stewards, research software engineers and research ICT) at Leiden University, the Leiden Citizen Science Lab, and the Open Science Community Leiden (OSCL). This will be coordinated with the open science coordinator of Leiden University at the Department of Strategy and Academic Affairs.

Key responsibilities
Our new colleague is expected to:

• Perform PhD research in the research program Monitoring Open Science Policies and Practices, under supervision of senior colleagues at CWTS;
• Develop a robust understanding of developments in Open Science, in particular at Leiden University;
• Participate in joint activities or projects with relevant partners at Leiden University (e.g., Strategy and Academic Affairs, Centre for Digital Scholarship, Open Science Community Leiden, Leiden Digital Competence Centre); this may include teaching of courses and other training events related to Open Science;
• Contribute to the further development of the research program Monitoring Open Science Policies and Practices and its embedding within CWTS.

Selection criteria

The successful candidate has:

• A Master’s degree in a in social sciences, information sciences, or another relevant field;
• Qualitative and/or quantitative research skills;
• A commitment to practicing Open Science in their own work;
• Fluency in English, both spoken and written;
• Strong communicative and interpersonal skills and a flexible and supportive attitude towards colleagues.

About the faculty
The Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences consists of five institutes: Education and Child Studies, Political Science, Psychology, Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology and the Centre for Science and Technology Studies. The faculty has approximately 7,000 students and 1,025 employees. The Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences brings together high-quality research and outstanding teaching as well as in multidisciplinary approaches. Please, visit the faculty’s website for more information.

CWTS
The Centre for Science and Technology Studies (CWTS) is an interdisciplinary research institute at Leiden University that studies scientific research and its connections to technology, innovation, and society. Studies at CWTS range across the broad field of science, technology and innovation studies. Our staff have developed a special focus on research evaluation, research management, and science policy. Among the fields that significantly contribute to the core activities of the institute are science and technology studies, library and information science, computer science, sociology, anthropology, and economics.

Terms and conditions
We offer a temporary full-time position, initially for one year. After a positive evaluation of the progress of the thesis, personal capabilities, and compatibility, the appointment will be extended with three more years. Salary ranges from €2.541 to €3.247 gross per month (pay scale P in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities).

Leiden University offers an attractive benefits package with additional holiday (8%) and end-of-year bonuses (8.3 %), training and career development and sabbatical leave. Our individual choices model gives you some freedom to assemble your own set of terms and conditions. For international spouses we have set up a dual career programme.Candidates from outside the Netherlands may be eligible for a substantial tax break. More at https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/working-at/job-application-procedure-and-employment-conditions.

All our PhD students are embedded in the Leiden University Graduate School of Science www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/science/graduate-school-of-science. Our graduate school offers several PhD training courses at three levels: professional courses, skills training, and personal effectiveness. In addition, advanced courses to deepen scientific knowledge are offered by the research school. Optionally, PhD candidates can join the Netherlands Graduate Research School of Science, Technology and Modern Culture (WTMC) https://www.wtmc.eu.

University employees need to be based in The Netherlands. A Dutch home address and Dutch bank account are required to close the employment contract.

Diversity and inclusion
Fostering an inclusive community is a central element of the values and vision of Leiden University. Leiden University is committed to becoming an inclusive community which enables all students and staff to feel valued and respected and to develop their full potential. Diversity in experiences and perspectives enriches our teaching and strengthens our research. High quality teaching and research is inclusive.

Information
Enquiries can be made to Ilse Schuitema, board secretary of CWTS, i.schuitema@cwts.leidenuniv.nl.

Applications
Please use the blue button to submit your application and upload a letter of motivation and a CV. You can apply until 30 April 2023. Applications sent by email or submitted after the deadline will not be considered. Based on the uploaded documents, we will make a selection of suitable candidates and invite them for an interview.

Enquiries from agencies are not appreciated.