WEIRD Witness project - Research Assistant

The Criminology Department is looking for an enthusiastic and meticulous research assistant who is interested in empirical research for 32 hours a week. The research assistant will participate in the Beyond WEIRD Witnesses research project led by Associate Professor Dr. Annelies Vredeveldt. This project investigates cultural differences in testimony and assess what problems arise when investigators interview eyewitnesses in cross-cultural contexts. Topics include: the influence of culture on memory reports, investigative interviewing, and witness testimony in international criminal tribunals.

Tasks:

• assisting with recruiting participants and conducting interviews
• transcribing interviews
• coding of information in interview transcripts
• assisting with grant and article writing
• recording data in Excel and SPSS/R
• updating Endnote database with scientific literature
• various administrative tasks (e.g., planning data collection, conference proceedings)

We are looking for a candidate with a Master’s degree (or who will graduate soon) in (Legal) Psychology, Criminology or other related field of study who:

• can work independently
• has strong communication and organizational skills
• has excellent knowledge of written and spoken English
• has well-developed analytical and writing skills
• knowledge of SPSS and/or R software, Endnote and Atlas.ti is a plus
• knowledge of Dutch language is a plus

For this position you must be in possession of a valid residence permit for the Netherlands with the right to work or in the possession of citizenship of an EU-country.

We realise that each individual brings a unique set of skills, expertise and mindset. Therefore we are happy to invite anyone who recognises themselves in the profile to apply, even if you do not meet all the requirements.

A challenging position in a socially engaged organisation. At VU Amsterdam, you contribute to education, research and service for a better world. And that is valuable. So in return for your efforts, we offer you:

• a salary of minimum € 2.618,00 (Scale 6) and maximum € 3.298,00 (Scale 6) gross per month, on a full-time basis. This is based on UFO profile Education/Research Officer 5. The exact salary depends on your education and experience.
• a position for 0.8 FTE. Your employment contract will last 1 year.

We also offer you attractive fringe benefits and regulations. Some examples:

• A full-time 38-hour working week comes with a holiday leave entitlement of 232 hours per year. If you choose to work 40 hours, you have 96 extra holiday leave hours on an annual basis. For part-timers, this is calculated pro rata.
• 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus
• contribution to commuting expenses
• optional model for designing a personalized benefits package
• the possibility to work partly from home

Faculty of Law
At the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam’s Faculty of Law we train lawyers and criminologists to develop sharp critical minds, with a strong focus on the societal relevance of law. We offer Bachelor’s programmes in four main fields: Law, Notarial Law, Law in Society and Criminology. In addition, we offer an extensive range of Master’s programmes as well as contract education (for non-student visitors). Much of our research is both international and multidisciplinary in character.

Our teaching and research embody the values of cooperation and diversity. We encourage each other to view problems from different perspectives, to think critically, develop a broader mind and arrive at creative legal solutions together.

Are you interested in joining the Faculty of Law? You will work in an active and inspiring academic environment. Together with your colleagues, you will contribute to the excellence of teaching and research in a pleasant and collegial working environment. You will join over 400 staff members responsible for a student body of 4,500.

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam stands for values-driven education and research. We are open-minded experts with the ability to think freely. - a broader mind. Maintaining an entrepreneurial perspective and concentrating on diversity, significance and humanity, we work on sustainable solutions with social impact. By joining forces, across the boundaries of disciplines, we work towards a better world for people and planet. Together we create a safe and respectful working and study climate, and an inspiring environment for education and research. Learn more about our codes of conduct

We are located on one physical campus, in the heart of Amsterdam's Zuidas business district, with excellent location and accessibility. Over 5,500 staff work at the VU and over 30,000 students attend academic education.

Diversity
Diversity is the driving force of the VU. The VU wants to be accessible and receptive to diversity in disciplines, cultures, ideas, nationalities, beliefs, preferences and worldviews. We believe that trust, respect, interest and differences lead to new insights and innovation, to sharpness and clarity, to excellence and a broader understanding.

We stand for an inclusive community and believe that diversity and internationalisation contribute to the quality of education, research and our services.

Therefore, we are always searching for people whose backgrounds and experience contribute to the diversity of the VU community.