The Erasmus University Rotterdam Strategy 2024, entitled “Creating positive societal impact – the Erasmian way” aims to strengthen the societal value of EUR research and education.

Part of this strategy is to develop a dedicated approach for the EUR to evaluate its societal impact. The ambition is to come up with an evidence-based approach that fits into the context of the university and its surroundings. Therefore a postdoc position is included in this project. On the one hand, this postdoc position is aimed at analyzing the different pathways to societal impact of the EUR, the types of impact the EUR currently generates, and the way in which these types of impact can be measured. On the other hand, this position is aimed at designing, testing and refining concrete tools that facilitate impact measurement within the various faculties. The postdoc is expected to take an active role in the project team ‘Evaluating Societal Impact’. He or she deliver insights, data and methodologies that are essential in the development of an EUR-wide system for measuring and valuing societal impact.

On career policy at Erasmus University:

The (inter)national developments regarding recognition and rewards of scientists, have visible effects at the EUR. Different faculties and schools are working on translating the developments into their career frameworks. The Erasmus School of Social and Behavioral Sciences is currently piloting with differentiation in job profiles. Impact is at the core of our mission, and thus also needs to be translated into our job profiles. Creating enduring knowledge and building on experience we are increasingly having, we aim to embed this in our organization long term development. This may lead to future job opportunities related to this field.

• Is able to combine rigorous research with project-related activities and is willing to work in a complex academic environment with multiple stakeholders;
• Is able to define and contextualize the concept of ‘societal impact’, demonstrated through previous experiences
• Has a PhD degree in Science & Technology Studies, Innovation Studies, or a related field (e.g. Science Evaluation Studies or Sociology of Science);
• Has a proven record of interdisciplinary collaboration with researchers from varied areas beyond the original training discipline;
• Has a clear affinity with societal impact, and science for society;
• Has the ambition to contribute to the EUR’s mission to strengthen our societal impact;
• Is able to combine descriptive and explanatory research with a design-oriented, experimental research approach;
• Has strong skills in designing, organizing and executing mixed method research (an interest in methodological innovation is appreciated);
• Has a strong analytical capacity and project management skills.

Internationally-oriented and varied work within an enthusiastic team, with attractive fringe benefits in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU). This is a position for three years. Your remuneration will depend on the position, your specific knowledge and experience It will be calculated on the basis of full-time salary ranging between EUR 3.637 and 4.978 gross per month (salary scale 11, CAO NU). Erasmus University Rotterdam offers attractive terms of employment, including a holiday allowance of 8%, a year-end payment of 8.3% and 41 annual leave days in case of a full work week. In addition, EUR takes part in the ABP pension scheme, and we also offer partially paid parental leave. For international spouses we have set up a dual career programme. Moreover, EUR staff members are allowed to make use of the EUR facilities, including the Erasmus sports centre and the University Library.

Erasmus University Rotterdam

The Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR), named after Rotterdam-born humanist and theologian Erasmus, is a research university with a strong international orientation and a pronounced social focus, both in its education and research activities. On the lively, modern campus, more than 28.000 students and scholars of more than 100 nationalities are constantly encouraged to develop their talents and meet their ambition. Our more than 2700 scientists and employees work together with all our students to solve challenges faced by global society, drawing their inspiration from the consistently dynamic and cosmopolitan city of Rotterdam. The academic education offered at our faculties is intensive, engaging and strongly focused on practical application. We increasingly perform our research in multidisciplinary teams, which are closely interwoven with international networks. In terms of research impact and the quality of its degree programmes, EUR can compete with the foremost universities in Europe, which is reflected in its consistent top-100 position in most major universities rankings. Erasmus University Rotterdam’s key values are daring, curiosity, social involvement, breaking new ground and striving for success www.eur.nl