Postdoctoral Researcher: Effects of Cannabis Supply Modes on Health and Safety Outcomes

Are you intrigued by: (1) finding answers to innovative interdisciplinary questions such as “Does the way drug-users acquire drugs determine health and safety outcomes?” and (2) developing theories and contributing to practical solutions to answer such questions? Then we have the perfect challenge for you!

Join us and help us bring this ambitious project to fruition!
In the Netherlands, cannabis use is legal, but recreational cannabis trade is illegal unless it occurs via “coffeeshops” where adults can physically buy cannabis. Other common forms of cannabis trade occur between social contacts (e.g., between friends)—which is an illegal trade as only coffeeshops are permitted to sell cannabis. Finally, the COVID-19 lock-down spurred a new illegal supply mode of cannabis in the Netherlands (and elsewhere), namely buying cannabis online via illegal drug shops.

This project, funded by the Dutch Research Council (NWO), examines which of the abovementioned cannabis supply modes (coffee-shops vs. social contacts vs. online) predict negative and/or positive outcomes either directly or indirectly. The results can thus provide insights on: (1)whether the supply mode of drugs matters for harm reduction, and (2)whether government-regulated online coffee-shops could reduce harm. Accordingly in addition to distributing the findings in scientific (empirical and theoretical) papers, these results will be shared directly with wide-ranging societal partners to further contribute to practical solutions.

You will be mentored by Dr. Ivy Defoe, Assistant Professor at the department of Child Development and Education of the University of Amsterdam. The role will also involve close collaboration with the Anneberg Public Policy Center (University of Pennsylvania (Upenn); USA).

PhD candidates who have completed their PhD dissertation and will defend it in a few months, are also encouraged to apply.


What are you going to do
We’re seeking a dedicated, driven and creative researcher who thrives on autonomy in their work and views scientific challenges as opportunities to grow and sharpen their approaches.

Your primary tasks would include:

• review the relevant literature;
• design and conduct observational studies, which includes developing a new questionnaire and coordinating the data-collection that will be conducted by master-thesis students and research assistants
• process, code, and analyze the data;
• collaborate on 1-2 empirical and theoretical scientific papers for publication together with the project team;
• translate scientific findings into practice-oriented advice;
• Optionally: a temporary extension of the position with master-thesis supervision is negotiable.

What do you have to offer
Your experience and profile:

• (an almost completed) PhD degree in criminology, pedagogics, psychology, health-relates sciences sociology, or a related discipline;
• demonstrated affinity with research on substance use;
• demonstrated experience with conducting and publishing high-quality research;
• demonstrated project-management skills;
• excellent oral and written communication skills in English;
• excellent data-analytic skills, especially demonstrated experience with structural equation modeling;
• demonstrated experience with moderation and mediation analyses;
• the candidate will help coordinate a workshop for societal partners, thus Dutch language skills can be of added-value. But Dutch language-skills are not required for the other tasks;
• high degree of conscientiousness, flexibility, persistence and a collaborative attitude;
• available to start as soon as possible between September 15th - October 1st 2025.

What else do we offer
This temporary position of 0.4te (15.2 hours per week) is for a period of 12 months (September 15th 2025-September 14th 2026). If the candidate is interested, a temporary extension of the position with master-thesis supervision is negotiable. For example, the master-thesis students can in part assist with this project’s data-collection and write their thesis based on the project’s data.

You will be working in this team
The postdoc will join the program group “Forensic Child and Youth Care Sciences” at the Research Institute of Child Development and Education. The postdoc will be mentored by Dr. Ivy Defoe, who is the PI of the project.

Please feel free to send Ivy Defoe an email if you have any questions about the vacancy: i.n.defoe@uva.nl .

Applications in one bundled .pdf format should include:

• a curriculum vitae;
• a motivation letter (maximum 2 pages)
• 1 example of a publication of the applicant in a peer-reviewed scientific journal (but if the applicant does not yet have such a published paper, then an “accepted” paper that is not yet published and their master-thesis are also acceptable).

We will make an initial selection of candidates based on the above-mentioned information. These candidates will be invited to an online interview via Teams on Friday September 5th, 2025, between 9:00am and 2:30pm Central European Time (CET). A second interview might also follow the week thereafter.

No agencies please.