The Psychological Methods group of the University of Amsterdam (UvA) seeks to appoint two Assistant Professors who are willing and able to further develop our research and educational programmes in the field  of Behavioural Data Science.

The Psychological Methods group is one of the largest and most successful research and education centres in the field of psychological methods. Its main areas of research are network analysis, Bayesian statistics, mathematical psychology, and psychometrics. Next to developing novel research methodologies, we also actively develop psychological theories on a variety of topics, including intelligence, psychopathology, and decision making. In addition, the group has a general focus on supporting open science and has made important methodological contributions to facilitate transparent research practices in the past decade.

In recent years, we have developed a successful educational programme around the idea of Behavioural Data Science (BDS). This newly emerging field involves the analysis of behaviourally defined variables as they arise in large datasets, typically gathered using modern digital technology (e.g., online or through mobile devices) and analysed with techniques for detecting patterns from high-dimensional data (e.g., network modeling, machine learning) to facilitate understanding, prediction, and control of human behaviour.

What will you be doing?

As Assistant Professor you maintain an independent programme of research in a combination of at least two of the following fields: Psychometrics, Mathematical Psychology, Bayesian statistics, Machine Learning, and Artificial Intelligence. You will be required to teach Bachelor and Master courses on at least one of these topics, and supervised individual student projects at the Bachelor and Master level.

45% of your time will be devoted to research and 55% to teaching. Some involvement in the organizational tasks of the programme group is also expected.

You have:

• a doctorate with specialization in Psychometrics, Mathematical Psychology, Bayesian statistics, Machine Learning or Artificial Intelligence;
• an excellent track record, both in terms of research and in terms of teaching;
• a plan for developing your research;
• enthusiasm for teaching as well as a commitment to excellence in teaching;
• mastery of the Dutch language or a willingness to learn Dutch;
• availability starting before 1 July 2021.

Our offer

The position concerns a temporary appointment of 38 hours per week for a term of 2 years.

Salary depends on past education and relevant work experience, with a minimum salary of €3,746 and a maximum salary of €5,127 gross per month based on a full-time appointment for a 38-hour working week (in keeping with scale 11, as per the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities). We additionally offer an extensive package of secondary employee benefits, including a generous holiday scheme and year-end bonus. Because we value your continued personal development and professionalisation, we also offer excellent opportunities for study and development.

University of Amsterdam

With over 5,000 employees, 30,000 students and a budget of more than 600 million euros, the University of Amsterdam (UvA) is an intellectual hub within the Netherlands. Teaching and research at the UvA are conducted within seven faculties: Humanities, Social and Behavioural Sciences, Economics and Business, Law, Science, Medicine and Dentistry. Housed on four city campuses in or near the heart of Amsterdam, where disciplines come together and interact, the faculties have close links with thousands of researchers and hundreds of institutions at home and abroad.  

The UvA’s students and employees are independent thinkers, competent rebels who dare to question dogmas and aren’t satisfied with easy answers and standard solutions. To work at the UvA is to work in an independent, creative, innovative and international climate characterised by an open atmosphere and a genuine engagement with the city of Amsterdam and society.