As a postdoc researcher you will work on the research project: Educational disadvantages of newcomers: explanatory mechanisms and promising interventions.  You will conduct (quantitative) research into the mechanisms underlying the educational disadvantages of newcomers, and carry out experimental research into promising interventions that can be used by policymakers to reduce these educational disadvantages. This project is funded by the Dutch Inspectorate of Education.

We offer you a challenging, flexible job in an enthusiastic, ambitious and driven team. Your days will be very varied, as you will be doing applied experimental research in schools, as well as conducting quantitative data analyses and writing scientific articles with colleagues. You will be part of a dynamic interdisciplinary team. With your research you contribute to more effective education with more equal opportunities for students.

Your role as a postdoc involves:

• Setting up and carrying out research in several subprojects.
• Working together in a team of researchers with different disciplinary backgrounds. (economics and sociology) and with the researchers of the Dutch Inspectorate of Education..
• Conducting quantitative research.
• Developing and organizing experimental research in schools on information provision for the non-Dutch parents in schools together with the rest of the research team.
• Writing international scientific publications.

Giving presentations at (inter)national scientific conferences, and other forms of knowledge sharing of the research results.

We are seeking a quantitative researcher with a strong affinity for migration research. Prior research in this field and experience with experimental research are a plus. Because one of the subprojects is experimental in nature, as a postdoc you will often work together with schools, schoolboards, and also other partners of Education Lab NL.

You preferably meet the following criteria:

• PhD in economics, sociology or other social sciences.
• Strong scientific profile, demonstrated by publications in international journals.
• Knowledge of, and affinity, with educational research and practice.
• Demonstrated interest in, and experience, with migration research.
• Driven and enthusiastic team player.
• Able to explain complex issues in simple terms (orally, in text, and with visualizations).
• Flexible (in mind, in tasks, and with regard to work locations).
• Able to build a strong network with schools, school boards, municipalities, other scientists and international colleagues.
• Ambitious and eager to learn, not afraid to fail.
• Extensive experience with quantitative research methods that are able to distinguish causal effects from correlational relationships

Fixed-term employment: 3 years with evaluation after 1 year.

We offer

• A full-time position (38 hours per week) as Researcher 3 on salary scale 11 of the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities. Promotion to scale 12 is negotiable.
• A three-year appointment. An evaluation will take place after one year.
• Excellent primary and secondary terms of employment: 8% vacation allowance and a year-end bonus of 8.3% of the annual gross salary.
• 41 leave days per calendar year when you decide to work 40 hours per week.
• Interesting exchange possibilities of your terms of employment, such as a bicycle scheme.

The terms of employment of Maastricht University are largely laid down in the CAO Nederlandse Universiteiten. In addition, local stipulations apply specifically to UM. For more information, please consult the website: https://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/about-um/working-um . 

Maastricht University

Maastricht University (UM) is known for its uniquely innovative and problem-based education (PBL) system, which is characterized by a small-scale and student-centered approach. Research at UM is multidisciplinary and thematic in nature, and is concentrated in research institutes and schools. UM currently has almost 22,000 students and about 5,000 employees. As a result of its strong international character, a large proportion of both students and employees come from abroad. UM has six faculties: Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Faculty of Law, School of Business and Economics, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences and the Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience.

Research Center of Education and Labor Market

The Research Centre of Education and the Labour Market (ROA) of Maastricht University (UM) is a research institute of the School of Business and Economics. Education Lab NL is housed at ROA. The institute consists of about 70 driven researchers and staff. ROA is characterized by a combination of scientific research and more policy-oriented research in the field of education and the labor market. ROA's research aims to combine scientific depth with societal impact. It has a strong policy relevance and ROA has a large network of companies, educational institutions and policymakers. Maastricht University is the youngest university in the Netherlands, with a strong international character. UM currently has almost 22,000 students and about 5,000 employees.

Education Lab NL is a research network of scientists, education professionals (teachers, school leaders) and policy specialists. The goal of the network is to improve education by gaining more insight into what works for pupils and students. Education Lab NL wants to build bridges between scientific and educational practice, among other things through applied research of scientific excellence. Education Lab NL has partnerships with several universities, schools, school boards, several municipalities, the Inspectorate of Education, and several social and international organizations (e.g. OECD, WorldBank). In addition to this project, Education Lab NL has a number of large projects including: https://ona.amsterdam/ and recently obtained funding from the National Growth Fund:  Nationaal Groeifondsvoorstel Ontwikkelkracht - Een sterke kennisinfrastructuur voor het onderwijs | Rapport | Rijksoverheid.nl