The Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) is looking for an inspiring and enterprising director for Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS) with an appealing vision on data use and archiving in research, familiarity with the national and international research-data landscape and good management qualities.

The Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) is a learned society of outstanding scientists and scholars, advising the Dutch government on research matters, and is responsible for ten national research institutes, an institute that delivers infrastructure for research and an institute for advanced study. DANS is one of the Academy institutes and is co-supported by the Dutch Research Council (NWO).

MISSION
The mission of DANS (Data Archiving and Networked Services) is to promote the reusability of research data and therefore the quality of science. DANS focuses on FAIR data, which means that DANS wishes to contribute to verifiable and repeatable research that has efficient access to data. Moreover, linking data sets can lead to new discoveries and insights. The responsible use of data accelerates the circulation of knowledge and strengthens our ability to solve complex issues. In short, better use of data results in better science and that matters to society.

In the years ahead, DANS will focus on what science needs to fulfil its pioneering role by making an effective contribution to the Dutch data landscape: as a versatile data repository, as an expertise centre for FAIR data and as a partner in collaborations. Read more about this in the multi-annual programme 2021-2025. Read more about this in the multi-annual programme 2021-2025.

• You will ensure that DANS remains a leading international institute where talent flourishes. You will identify important developments in research and in the research data landscape, both in the Netherlands and elsewhere, and respond effectively to them. You will build on the approach to the profile and future development of DANS as a dynamic, national expertise centre and repository for research data, with added value for the Netherlands and international prestige. 
• You will manage DANS, determine policy and direct and coordinate all processes that support the results and quality of DANS' work. The director is responsible for the business operations and financial position of DANS and its results. In addition to the director, the management team consists of a deputy director and a Chief Technology Officer.
• You will play an important role in national and international networks and partnerships in the institute’s field and promote cooperation with universities, research institutes and other data services. In addition, you will position the institute with national and international bodies that fund research (including the EU, NWO), knowledge institutions, service providers and by doing so create new partnerships.
• You are committed to promoting open science and FAIR research data. You will act as a figurehead for DANS. With your knowledge, vision and managerial qualities, you will leave your mark on the development of the national and international research data landscape.
• You will represent DANS both within the Academy and NWO, as well as in national and international bodies and therefore promote the interests of DANS, the Academy and NWO.

• You are an authoritative and innovative expert in the broad field of research data and data archiving and have a demonstrable affinity with science and scholarship. You have a large relevant national and international network and are demonstrably able – based on tactical and diplomatic actions – to use it to form strategic alliances and acquire grants for research.
• You have – on the basis of the mission and the multi-annual programme of DANS – an appealing and authoritative vision of (future) methodological and technical developments, and can therefore provide direction for the future of DANS.
• You know how to combine this scientific vision with elements such as the market, politics and financing opportunities, leading to clear organisational goals and a coherent, entrepreneurial and effective strategy.
•  You are able to translate the goals and strategy into an effective organisation and know how to guide it in a way that suits the sector, taking into account modern management principles.
• You have demonstrable leadership skills, you are creative and engaged, and you are capable of leading and inspiring a team of professionals as a ‘first among equals’. You advocate and promote a safe, inclusive, and diverse working environment. You have an eye for what is taking place within the organisation, you are people-oriented, empathetic, accessible, and capable of making changes, and you invest in your employees’ careers. In doing so you bring parties together.
• You are honest, result-oriented and decisive and show dynamism. You are an effective communicator, both internally and externally.
• You have an affinity, understanding, and experience of finances and human resources management that will enable you to assume overall responsibility for the institute in these areas.
• You have an excellent knowledge of Dutch and English (written and spoken).

The appointment is for a period of five years with effect from 1 April 2022, with the intention of reappointment for a second and final term of five years. Depending on education and work experience, the person appointed will be remunerated at scale 16 (of the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities), including 8% holiday allowance and a year-end bonus of 8.3% of the annual salary. The Academy has a comprehensive package of fringe benefits. 

DANS (Data Archiving and Networked Services)

DANS is the Dutch national expertise centre and repository for research data. The institute focuses on all scientific disciplines, with a strong basis in the social sciences and humanities. With more than 160,000 datasets and sixty employees, DANS is one of the leading repositories in Europe. Since 2005, DANS has been helping researchers to make their data available for re-use. This allows data to be used for new research, while making published research verifiable and reproducible. DANS offers services for the use of data during research as well as for long-term preservation. The institute also provides consultancy and training for data professionals and researchers. Internationally, DANS plays a prominent role in the promotion of findability, accessibility, interoperability and reusability of research data. The institute participates in dozens of (European) projects and organisations. DANS strives for continuous innovation based on user requirements and closely follows technical developments.

Employer

The Academy is a learned society of outstanding scientists and scholars, advising the Dutch government on research matters, and is responsible for ten national research institutes, an institute that delivers infrastructure for research and an institute for advanced study. DANS is one of the institutes of the Academy and is co-supported by NWO.

The Academy is committed to being a diverse and inclusive organisation and strives to set a good example in its leadership and management and ensure a safe, honest and inclusive workplace culture.