The Netherlands Institute for the Study of Crime and Law Enforcement (NSCR) and The Hague University of Applied Sciences (THUAS) are looking for a postdoc researcher who can further strengthen our research programme on ‘The human factor in cybercrime’. The collaboration between NSCR and THUAS offers a unique opportunity to do both fundamental and applied research. 

The job

You get the opportunity to develop your own research line within our ‘human factor in cybercrime’ research programme and you will do empirical research in collaboration with other researchers. You are expected to apply for new research grants. Your research line could for instance be on cybercrime offenders, cybercriminal networks, or the victims of cybercrime and the effectiveness of interventions aimed at preventing victimisation. You publish your research in high-ranking international peer-reviewed journals and you present your work at international conferences.

The new colleague we are looking for:

• already holds a PhD degree, or will soon defend their PhD thesis
• has a research background in Criminology, Sociology, Psychology or any other related social science discipline
• has affinity with cybercrime research
• has strong quantitative research skills
• has good analytical and social skills
• has a good command of English, both spoken and written, the same in Dutch is an advantage
• is able to independently identify and obtain relevant research grants
• is a strong team player who is also able to supervise other researchers as require

• You will first receive a contract at NSCR for the period of one year. If you perform well it will be extended for two extra years.
• The salary depends on experience and is at least € 3,778 up to a maximum of € 5,196 per month on the basis of a full-time appointment (scale 11 of the collective labor agreement Research Institutions).
• Excellent secondary employment conditions and plenty of opportunities for further professional development.

The Netherlands Institute for the Study of Crime and Law Enforcement (NSCR) and The Hague University of Applied Sciences (THUAS)

The Netherlands Institute for the Study of Crime and Law Enforcement (NSCR) is a national research institute that focuses on fundamental scientific research in the field of crime and law enforcement. It is part of the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO). The NSCR is located in Amsterdam in one of the buildings of the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. The institute conducts interdisciplinary and longitudinal research at the intersection of theory, practice and policy. A group of researchers focuses on the "human factor" in cybercrime by studying offenders, victims and other stakeholders, and issues related to the legal approach and regulation of cybercrime. Examples include research into the origins and growth processes of cybercriminal networks, pathways into cybercrime, and risk factors related to victimization. Traditional theories form the basis to study cybercrimes, but these theories are also tested for their suitability in relation to cybercrime.

The ‘Cybersecurity in SMEs’ research group is part of the Center of Expertise Cyber Security (CoECS) at The Hague University of Applied Sciences. The aim of this research group is to help small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to become resilient to cyberattacks in a practically applicable way. SMEs do not always have the capacity to withstand cyberattacks and are relatively often victims of such attacks. The research group has three research themes:

1. the resilience of SMEs;
2. cybercrime targeting SMEs;
3. tackling cybercrime targeting SMEs. Our research is not about technology but about people (the human factor).