The Behavioural Insights Group-Rotterdam (BIG’R) was launched in October 2017 and is a collaboration between the municipality of Rotterdam and the Erasmus University Rotterdam. It consists of a team of passionate behavioral scientists, researchers from other disciplines, policy makers and communication professionals. For more information about BIG’R please visit our website: www.bigrotterdam.nl

As a team we look for interventions based on behavioural sciences (e.g nudges) to improve outcomes in several policy fields, e.g legal bike parking, reducing violence within Rotterdam nightlife, or reducing no shows at municipal appointments; essentially making the city of Rotterdam a better place to live, work and visit. As the postdoctoral researcher, you will be responsible for: a) designing interventions together with PhDs, researchers from the municipality of Rotterdam, and policy makers, and; b) rigorously evaluating the interventions with the same team. The evaluation of the intervention will often include an impact evaluation, a process evaluation, and a cost-effectiveness evaluation. Furthermore, you will work on translating the knowledge gained from these evaluations into lessons learned and best practices for policy makers.

Your tasks will consist of:
 Reading the relevant literature to improve the evidence-base for BIG’R interventions;
 Designing, coordinating and conducting the evaluation of BIG’R interventions;
 Aligning the evaluation with other stakeholders, e.g. services of the municipality;
 Writing scientific papers for peer-reviewed journals;
 Contributing to policy-oriented reports on BIG’R projects;
 Presenting at national and international scientific conferences;
 Participating in and leading regular project team meetings with stakeholders;
 Writing grant applications for future projects.

 PhD in one of the behavioural sciences (e.g. Psychology or Economics);
 Excellent research and methodological skills. A strong quantitative background is required, both quantitative and qualitative background is preferred;
 Experience in designing, conducting, and analysing experimental studies, preferably RCTs. Experience with cost-effectiveness and   process evaluations is preferred;
 Good academic writing and presentation skills;
 Excellent communication, social, and organisational skills;
 Working proficiency in both Dutch and English.

• You will be classified as a postdoctoral researcher in the Dutch university job-ranking system (UFO);

• You will be appointed for 1 year, with a possibility of extension. You will be appointed for an initial period of 12 months. Your performance will be evaluated towards the end of that initial period. If the evaluation is positive, the contract may be extended by 2 years.

• The conditions of employment comply with the CAO Nederlandse Universiteiten/ Collective Agreement Netherlands Universities (CAO NU). The starting salary is €3475, - gross per month on a full-time basis (scale 11.0), the salary will increase to €3605, - gross per month in the second year. 

• Erasmus University Rotterdam offers attractive terms of employment, including a holiday allowance of 8%, a year-end payment of 8.3% and up to 41 annual vacation days in case of a full, 40-hour workweek.

• In addition, EUR takes part in the ABP pension scheme, and we also offer partially paid parental leave. 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 is a modern, highly ranked, international research university, based in the dynamic and diverse city of Rotterdam. We were founded in 1913 and nowadays host 23.000 students. Our faculties and institutions work on global, national and local social challenges in the areas of: healthy development, wealth, governance, culture.

The quality of research at Erasmus University, named after Rotterdam-born humanist and theologian Erasmus, is reflected in its consistent top-100 position in most major universities rankings. On the lively, modern campus, students and scholars of more than 100 nationalities are constantly encouraged to develop their talents and meet their ambition. www.eur.nl/english

Erasmus School of Social and Behavioural Sciences
The Erasmus School of Social and and Behavioural Sciences (ESSB) is home to a vast diversity of scientific disciplines: public administration, pedagogical sciences, psychology and sociology. In addition, the Erasmus University College, IHS, and two research institutes RISBO and DRIFT are linked to the faculty. This diversity is also reflected in the content of the (international) bachelor's and master's programs and in research. Our activities are always focused on people and society. At the ESSB fundamental, internationally oriented research is of paramount importance. In addition, social research for professionals, policy makers, and the society is part of our research activities. ESSB offers a stimulating research environment, and its researchers have received major national and international research grants. Appealing guest researchers and ambitious PhD candidates come along to conduct their research. Our education is small-scale and works with innovative forms of education such as Problem-Based Learning (PBL). Both the Dutch and English programs are highly ranked by students and alumni. ESSB is home to over 2500 students and 300 staff-members.

Department of Psychology, Education & Child Studies
The department of Psychology, Education & Child Studies (DPECS) houses innovative and highly ranked bachelor- and master programs. With the innovative didactical approach of Problem-Based Learning, small-scale education was introduced in Rotterdam. Our researchers publish in highly ranked journals and belong to the top of their fields. The well-equipped Erasmus Behavioural Lab makes it possible to conduct innovative research, and to train students in research and professional competencies.