The Cooperation Databank Project
Cooperation is essential for mitigating conflict between individual and collective interests in relationships and groups, such as providing public goods and conserving resources. Over 70 years of research testing psychological and economic theory of cooperation has applied a highly specific lab method (e.g., the prisoner’s dilemma) to study cooperation. To date, there exist thousands of independent studies on cooperation using the same method. We are currently in the process of searching and coding the entire history of research on cooperation. We are searching to fill a two-year, full time, research-oriented Post Doc with a PhD in the Library and Information Sciences (or closely related discipline) to work with us in innovating an open access database to store and retrieve scientific findings on cooperation. Our vision is to innovate a method for storing and retrieving information on scientific findings that is guided by meta-analysis and empowers researchers to efficiently aggregate study results. Specifically, this project will design, develop, and implement an innovative institution to store, catalogue, and analyze research findings on cooperation. To our knowledge, this is the first project in the social sciences that would link the storage of scientific research findings to the state-of-the-art methods used to aggregate research findings – meta-analysis. The Post Doc would be first author, in collaboration with the P.I., on writing several international peer-reviewed publications about this new method of storing research findings, and how this method can promote scientific progress. The P.I. has received an ERC Starting Grant for this project.
 
P.I.: Dr. Daniel Balliet

• PhD in Library and/or Information Sciences or closely related discipline;
• Excellent knowledge of computer programming and managing a large database;
• Excellent command of written and spoken English;
• Good Knowledge of statistical software (R) is an advantage

The appointment will be initially for 1 year. After satisfactory evaluation of the initial appointment, it can be extended for an additional 1 year. You can find information about our excellent fringe benefits of employment at  http://www.workingatvu.nl.   
   
The salary will be in accordance with university regulations for academic personnel, and depending on experience, range from a minimum of € 3475,- gross per month up to a maximum of € 4757,- gross per month, (salary scale 11) based on a fulltime employment. The position will also include additional funding for conducting research and travelling to conferences.

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU) is a leading, innovative and growing university that is at the heart of society and actively contributes to new developments in teaching and research. Our university has ten faculties, and provides work for over 4,500 staff and scientific education for more than 23,000 students.

The Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences (FBM) at VU University Amsterdam is unique in the wide field of behavioural and health sciences for combining the disciplines of psychology, education theory and human movement sciences. The faculty contributes to a better understanding of the way behaviour and movement are caused and can be influenced so as to promote physical and mental health and improve performance.
 
Social and Organizational Psychology at the Department of Experimental and Applied Psychology in the Faculty of Behavioral and Movement Sciences (http://www.vupsy.nl/) investigates themes such as trust, leadership, cooperation, evolutionary psychology, organizational behavior, personality, culture, emotions, group and intergroup dynamics, justice, and close relationships, using innovating theoretical approaches and methodologies grounded in psychology (e.g., economic games, genetics, meta-analyses, neuroscience).
 
The Department provides a vibrant, international research climate with high quality academic staff and students who are supported by excellent research facilities (e.g., multiple labs for experimental research, equipment for neuroscience measures), industrial partners, and expertise in statistics. The Department has a top international reputation in psychological science, as indicated by excellent research assessments, high quality publications, high standards for teaching and mentoring, and frequent visits by international scientists.
 
Social and Organizational Psychology has a strong commitment to theory development, innovative research, and application to dyads, groups, teams, and organizations. Research and teaching have a strong international and interdisciplinary flavor, covering central themes in social/organizational/evolutionary psychology. The Section participates in various research institutes and graduate schools (Institute for Brain and Behavior, Kurt Lewin Institute, Netherlands Science Centre for Criminology), and offers specialist 1 and 2 year Masters courses.