Research officer in Economic Geography (0.8-1.0 FTE)

The Department of Economic Geography in the Faculty of Spatial Sciences is seeking a versatile junior researcher. In this role, you will contribute to ongoing research projects within the department, often commissioned by regional or national governments. While the projects may cover a range of themes, they consistently address issues related to regional socio-economic development, regional branding, entrepreneurship, and labor market dynamics. The projects often pertain to the North of the Netherlands.

Your primary responsibilities will include gathering, preparing, managing, and analyzing empirical data utilized in these projects. Additionally, the junior researcher may be involved in the documentation and presentation of project outcomes, which may take the form of presentations, research reports, or scientific publications.

This position offers an opportunity to explore various facets of scientific research while collaborating within an experienced research team. Although the one-year position can serve as an excellent stepping-stone for a PhD position, it is not a prerequisite to aspire a PhD position. However, for those interested and eligible, we facilitate developing a PhD grant application as part of the position.

Organisation
The Faculty of Spatial Sciences (FSS) focuses on high quality teaching and research in the fields of spatial planning, economic and cultural geography and demography. FSS is also well-embedded in a wider range of disciplines, such as social, political and technology sciences. Our vision is to spatially transform society to support wellbeing and innovation. Our mission as a faculty is to undertake and disseminate, via research and teaching, rigorous and distinctive research which helps to realize this vision. FSS employs around 100 academic staff members, over 100 PhD candidates, and serves about 1100 students. We are a cohesive Faculty committed to internationally-oriented, interdisciplinary research of high societal relevance with our new research programme Transformations, Communities, and Environments (TRACE), which encompasses socio-spatial transformations; wellbeing, equity, and resilience for people and places; and socio-spatial differences and sustainable development.

We are seeking candidates with the following qualifications and skills

- An MSc degree (or nearing completion) in Economic Geography, Real Estate Studies, Human Geography, Demography, (Labour) Economics, Sociology, Planning, or a related field.
- A strong interest in issues related to regional socio-economic development, particularly in labor market dynamics and regional branding.
- Versatility as a researcher with well-developed skills in quantitative methods and experience working with large datasets. Preference will be given to candidates with experience using statistical software packages such as Stata and/or R.
- Proactive work attitude and the ability to collaborate effectively in a project team.
- Strong writing and presentation skills.
- Proficiency in Dutch (at least passive) is preferred.
- Great curiosity and enthusiasm for research.

Core Competences for the position

- Analytical and conceptual thinking
- Creativity
- Planning and organizing
- Presenting

We offer you in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities

- A salary from a minimum of € 3,218 gross per month up to a maximum of € 4,298 gross per month (salary scale 8) based on a full-time position and dependent on qualification and work experience. This position is defined according to the UFO function profile ‘Education/research employee '. The appointment is temporary for a period of 12 months.

Envisioned Starting date May 1st 2025