Netherlands Interdisciplinary Demographic Institute (NIDI) is looking for a junior researcher / research assistant to support the development and management of the Comparative Panel File (CPF, www.cpfdata.com). CPF is an innovative open science platform that allows users to combine data from the largest and longest-running household panel surveys. The open-source code integrates data from separate country surveys into one ready-to-analyze dataset.

You will be working on:

• Extending the project by adding new variables and new waves (working in the Stata statistical software)
• Updating the open-source code and documentation
• Advancing the synchronised open science platform and webpage
• Exploring opportunities to include new countries

You will work at the NIDI office in The Hague under the supervision of researchers who initiated the CPF, Matthijs Kalmijn and Konrad Turek. This position is particularly suitable for someone willing to explore the future career options in research, data-management and statistical programming, both in and outside of the academia. The project provides an excellent opportunity to familiarize yourself with the design and potential of the CPF data and the team can support you in initiating own research (e.g., for the future PhD). You will also be able to participate in meetings of the NIDI research groups, e.g., in the fields of migration and migrants, family, work and retirement.

CPF offers an open-source code that combines and harmonizes data from the largest and longest-running household panel surveys (currently seven countries: Australia, Germany, Great Britain, South Korea, Russia, Switzerland, United States). The project aims to support communication and cooperation among researchers who apply and develop the CPF code. It is organised as an open science platform that integrates tools for general communication (online forum), code development (GitHub) and general management of scientific research (Open Science Framework). CPF is the first fully open harmonization initiative of this type in the social sciences. It allows new research applications, provides solutions for comparability problems, supports replicable science, simplifies the harmonization, and reduces data preparation time. The latest CPF version 1.4 contains 2.8 million observations from 370 thousand respondents and covers the period from 1968 until 2019, with up to 41 panel waves per respondent.

Currently you're studying (or have almost completed) at the Master level in social science, sociology, economics, demography, social geography, computer sciences, statistics or similar. Minimum requirement is a Bachelor degree. A good knowledge of Stata statistical software is required.

Some experience in working with survey data or other big datasets is an asset, and also some experience in programming, data management or statistical analysis. Proficiency in English language, speaking and writing, is a must. We expect good communication and organization, responsibility and a pro-active working style.

Fixed-term contract: 6 months with te possibilitie of extension.

We offer a fixed-term contract, preferably for 0,2 - 0,4 FTE (1-2 days a week), for a period between 5-7 months (2 days/week) and 11-14 months (1 day/week). The exact period depends on number of days per week and salary scale. The salary accords with the Collective Labour Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU) depending on seniority and level of education between 2,310 - 2,511 gross per month for an equivalent of full-time appointment of 38 hours per week.

Starting date is preferably in September. We offer an office workspace with a personal desk and computer at NIDI, within walking distance of The Hague Central Station. There is the possibility of participation in the methodological training program of NIDI with various courses, and of course we offer a very supportive, collegial and informal working atmosphere

NIDI, Netherlands Interdisciplinary Demographic Institute, The Hague

About NIDI
The Netherlands Interdisciplinary Demographic Institute (NIDI) is a leading European demographic research institute. NIDI is part of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) and affiliated with the University of Groningen. It is located in the center of The Hague providing a unique and stimulating research environment in the broad field of population studies. Currently the staff of the institute consists of about 65 employees of different levels of seniority and organized in a rather horizontal structure within four thematic research groups. The working environment is highly international and NIDI provides ample opportunities for training and development.