Over the past decade, debate has intensified on how research is being funded, practiced, and evaluated. Some of the most visible initiatives include the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), The Leiden Manifesto for research metrics and The Metric Tide, which have all critically reflected on the role of metrics in evaluation frameworks. As attention is shifting toward designing and implementing a richer pallet of approaches to assessment, a careful analysis of what works and what does not becomes all the more important.

This project studies how this policy shift is translated into organizational practice and how universities develop new evaluation frameworks in two universities (Leiden University and the University of Edinburgh). This research will be undertaken in part by actively contributing to the development of new approaches in various consultancy projects within CWTS B.V. CWTS B.V. is an independent contract research organisation that provides high-quality research performance and evaluation studies. Leiden University's Centre for Science and Technology Studies forms the core of the company. The project thus includes theorical analyses and reflections, as well as development and testing of novel approaches.

Key responsibilities
The primary task of the PhD candidate will be to study the development of new evaluative frameworks at Leiden University and the University of Edinburgh and to participate in consultancy projects in which CWTS B.V. contributes to (self-)evaluation processes. The latter includes the collaborative development of new evaluative techniques in line with the new evaluative inquiry approach which incorporates quantitative techniques such as Area-Based Connectedness. 

The project is part of a strategic partnership between the Universities of Edinburgh and Leiden. The aim is to foster collaboration and to build on existing synergies. The PhD candidate will therefore have a supervisory team with members from each organisation, including Thomas Franssen, Sarah de Rijcke, Niki Vermeulen and Andrew Millar.

• A Master’s degree in Science and Technology Studies, Sociology, Organization Studies, Political Science, Public Administration, Anthropology, or a related field;
• A strong interest in the use of and reflection on quantitative (scientometric) and qualitative methods;
• A strong interest in application and intervention through research;
• Strong analytical capacity;
• Willingness and proven ability to do empirical research independently;
• Ability to work in teams;
• Willingness to travel and do fieldwork abroad (once restrictions have lifted);
• Fluency in spoken English and excellent writing skills in English. Knowledge of the Dutch language is an advantage.

This fulltime PhD position will initially be for one year, with the potential for renewal for 3 years. Salary for a fulltime position ranges from € 2.395,- gross in the first year up to € 3.061,- gross per month in the fourth year, in accordance with the Collective Labor Agreement for Dutch Universities. Preferred starting date: no later than 1 September 2021.

Leiden University offers an attractive benefits package with additional holiday (8%) and end-of-year bonuses (8.3 %), training and career development. Our individual choices model gives you some freedom to assemble your own set of terms and conditions. For international spouses we have set up a dual career programme. Candidates from outside the Netherlands may be eligible for a substantial tax break. For more information, see the website.

UTQ
Leiden University requires teaching staff to obtain the University Teaching Qualification. If the successful applicant does not already possess this qualification or its equivalent, he/ she must be willing to obtain this Qualification within two years.

Diversity
Leiden University is strongly committed to diversity within its community and especially welcomes applications from members of underrepresented groups.

Leiden University

The Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences conducts high-quality research and offers a broad and disciplinary educational programme, focused on increasing our understanding of current developments in society. The faculty consists of five institutes: Centre for Science and Technology Studies, Cultural Anthropology and Developmental Sociology, Education and Child Studies, Political Science and Psychology. The faculty has approximately 7,000 students and 850 staff members. Meer informatie over de Faculteit Governance and Global Affairs kun je vinden op de website.

The Centre for Science and Technology Studies (CWTS) is an interdisciplinary research institute that studies scientific research and its connections to technology, innovation, and society. As a leading research, consulting, and training center, CWTS is dedicated to increasing our understanding of scientific quality, societal impact, and other related concepts. CWTS studies the conditions and consequences of research evaluation for the generation of new knowledge, and the role of research in innovation processes. Special attention is paid to the value of bibliometric and scientometric tools to support the evaluation and management of scientific research. On the basis of its research, CWTS wishes to contribute to the debates about the role of science in society. Research at CWTS is organized in three research groups: Quantitative Science Studies (QSS), Science, Technology, and Innovation Studies (STIS), and Science and Evaluation Studies (SES).

The SES research group analyses the politics and practices of research governance, and does systematic empirical research on how formal and informal governance practices (including evaluation) are re-shaping academic knowledge production. The group takes as a starting point that evaluation processes have constitutive potential - they shape those knowledge practices that are claimed to be simply ‘assessed’ or measured. A crucial societal mission of the group is to contribute to shaping contemporary debates on responsible research governance, evaluation and metrics uses (including policy implications). The research focus of the SES group is part of the research mission of the CWTS.