This is a position at the Department of Methodology and Statistics of the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences at Utrecht University. This Department provides teaching in methods and statistics within all Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programmes of the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences and University College Utrecht. The department offers the only two-year Master’s degree programme exclusively centred on methodology and statistics in the social, biomedical, and behavioural sciences in the Netherlands (in cooperation with the University of Twente and the University Medical Centre Utrecht). The department also advises staff and students from the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences with respect to their research activities.

The research of the Department of Methodology and Statistics focuses on methods and techniques for the social and behavioural sciences and currently comprises topics such as: Bayesian data analysis, research synthesis techniques, longitudinal data analysis, multilevel/random effects modeling, survey research, qualitative research, official statistics, and applied data science.

The department is closely involved in the University-wide focus area Applied Data Science, as well as the UU initiative focusing on machine learning, data science, and artificial intelligence, “Driven by Data”.

The position of the department within the School of Social Sciences and the focus areas, together with the staff's collaborative mindset, allows for new developments where applied, statistical and computational domains overlap. Hence, the department serves as a good cultivator for bright minds as the interdisciplinary nature of its research and teaching facilitates the development and application of cutting edge methodology.

The position involves 60% teaching/management activities at most and at least 40% research time. Core tasks include:

• strengthening and expanding your independent research line within the scope of the research programme, including supervision;
• contributing to acquiring external research funding;
• independently contributing to the Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programmes within the curriculum of Methodology and Statistics;
• carrying out management tasks in education and research at the Department of Methodology & Statistics.

Ideally your suitability is exemplified by:

Research

• a PhD degree in the field of Methodology and Statistics, or a related field, such as computational social science, or data science/computer science with a focus on social science applications (a PhD is a prerequisite);
• a strong research track record in quantitative research methods applied to the social sciences;
• excellent scientific creativity and productivity, as evidenced by recent top publications;
• ability to contribute to external research funding for the benefit of the research programme;
• experience with supervising PhD students;
• preferably, a demonstrable affinity with open science/open source and related practices, such as reproducibility.

Teaching

• ability to teach courses at the introductory (Bachelor's) and advanced (Master's/Graduate) levels, both to social science students and to students specializing in Methodology & Statistics;
• experience with developing and coordinating academic courses in a team setting;
• ability to provide inspiring lectures, an eye for the improvement of teaching methods, and the ability to apply own research expertise to teaching, as evidenced by positive teaching assessments;
• holding a Basic Teaching Qualification (BKO) or willing to acquire this qualification in the near future.

General

• ability to function effectively and efficiently, within a team and to think conceptually;
• excellent social, organizational and management skills;
• willingness to learn Dutch. We expect a relevant level of competence within two years of taking up the appointment;
• experience with and an interest in advising students and staff doing substantive social science with respect to methods and techniques of data analysis.

We offer a permanent position (0.8 - 1.0 FTE), upon a positive evaluation after one year. We also provide an attractive working environment and a vibrant research climate. The gross salary - depending on previous qualifications and experience  - ranges between €5,039 and €6,738 (scale 13/14 according to the Collective Labour Agreement Dutch Universities) per month for a full-time employment. Salaries are supplemented with a holiday bonus of 8% and a year-end bonus of 8.3% per year. In addition, Utrecht University offers excellent secondary conditions, including an attractive retirement scheme, (partly paid) parental leave and flexible employment conditions (multiple choice model). More information about working at Utrecht University can be found here.

A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University, the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major societal themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Sustainability.

The city of Utrecht is one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands, with a charming old centre and an internationally oriented culture that is strongly influenced by its century-old university. Utrecht city has been consistently ranked as one of the most liveable cities in the Netherlands.

The Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences is one of the leading faculties in Europe providing research and academic teaching in Cultural Anthropology, Educational Sciences, Interdisciplinary Social Sciences, Pedagogical Sciences, Psychology and Sociology. The Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences plays a significant role in Utrecht University’s strategic themes Institutions for open Societies, and Dynamics of Youth.

More than 5,600 students are enrolled in a broad range of undergraduate and graduate programmes. The Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences has about 850 faculty and staff members, all contributing individually to the training and education of young talent and to the research into and finding solutions for scientific and societal issues.