Programme Manager – Social Sciences & Humanities – (0,8 – 1 FTE)

Who are we?

The Netherlands eScience Center is the national centre for innovative software solutions in academic research. We aim to bridge the gap in knowledge and expertise between digital technologies on the one hand and scientific and scholarly inquiry on the other. We create the tools and digital methodologies that enable researchers across all disciplines to answer research questions, harnessing our unique blend of academic expertise and software development skills. We attach great importance to software quality and sustainability, and academic recognition of research software.

We stand for a research-focused, professional, collaborative, open and resourceful approach to everything we do, and we require that our staff can identify with these eScience Center values. Our people have a diverse background in education, gender, nationality and ethnicity. Together, we form an inclusive group with a common drive.

Our Research Software Engineers are distributed into four different sections, Life Sciences, Social Sciences & Humanities, Environment & Sustainability, and Natural Sciences & Engineering. The team of Programme Managers works under the supervision of the Programme Director. Within this team alignment and synergy of academic goals, the eScience Center strategy and technological expertise and operational execution of all our projects is a focus.

What will you do?

You are accountable for ensuring the seamless execution and success of projects within the eScience Center and contributing to the call strategy. Your responsibilities include:

• Take care of the project portfolio, ensuring its effective management and being accountable for its outcomes
• Coordinate and execute the call process under the guidance of the Programme Director, facilitating the selection and initiation of projects
• Monitor project progress and the quality of research software solutions, ensuring that standards and objectives are met
• Encourage collaboration within and across sections, promoting synergy and innovation in project initiatives
• Act as a mediator and point of contact for project needs and unforeseen circumstances, provide resolutions and support as necessary. Serve as a mediator for conflicts between project members and lead applicants, ensuring smooth project progression
• Identify opportunities to reuse results both within and beyond the eScience Center
• Monitor, manage and report on programme budgets
• Stay informed about developments in research funding at both the national and international level, providing insights and recommendations to the Programme Director
• Stimulate the acquisition of externally funded projects, expanding the Center’s project portfolio and research opportunities

In addition to these core responsibilities, a portion of your time should be dedicated to project-related activities such as engineering, consulting, acquisition, or outreach, maintaining a connection with the primary processes of the Center. Flexibility and adaptability are key as you may be called upon to perform other duties as necessary to support the Center’s mission and objectives.

Who are you?

You have a clear vision on programme management and thrive of the dynamics that come with this. You have the ability to implement and improve project and call procedures and policies. You have a clear sense of the needs of researchers and research communities within the SSH domain. In addition, you have:

• PhD in the social sciences or humanities, or equivalent plus at least 6 years’ experience within a relevant research environment
• Project and/or programme management experience
• Experience in the use of research-oriented digital methodologies
• Strategic insight into maximizing project impact based on scientific and technological considerations
• Ability to multitask, set boundaries and function in a highly dynamic environment.
• Ability to assess and handle complex situations and maintain a helicopter view
• Strong communicative, social and organizational skills
• Good understanding of team dynamics
• Familiarity with and vision on the research landscape in the Netherlands

What do we offer?   

• You will work at the forefront of cutting-edge international research
• You will be part of a team of intelligent, collaborative and ambitious people with a passion for academic research
• You will be given extensive opportunity to further develop your professional and personal capacities
• Salary scale 13, based on our Collective Labour Agreement (WVOI Cao-OI), depending on qualifications and expertise
• Excellent secondary benefits: the possibility to work part time, travel and communication allowance, holiday allowance (8%), 42 holidays on a fulltime basis, a year-end bonus (8,33%), personal development budget, fitness plan, bicycle plan and flexible work from home options and facilities.
• An informal and creative working environment
• The opportunity to creatively help shape the future of the eScience Center
• Room for initiative and ideas