We are looking for a research assistant who not only wants to work on great research, but wants to work on great research with real-world impact. We are looking for someone who is practically-oriented, detail-oriented, willing to travel throughout the Netherlands, and keen to undertake hands-on research that contributes to inter-disciplinary knowledge. The vacancy is within the Microeconomics section at ASE and is part of the research program Experimental & Political Economics (CREED).

Like the idea of running lab and field experiments? Like the idea of working with private sector companies? You will want a research assistant position for a joint project between Duke University and the University of Amsterdam!

The research assistant operates with oversight and is responsible for carrying out some smaller projects independently.

Work Performed

• Conduct literature reviews to identify gaps, generate new hypotheses, and inform existing streams of research;
• participate in hypothesis generation and experimental design for field and lab studies;
• conduct the experiments, and ensure all studies are fielded with fidelity;
• sometimes responsible for conducting data analysis, drawing conclusions from study results, and determining next steps, with supervision from Research Scholars or Project Managers;
• occasionally responsible for drafting manuscripts for academic publication and popular press;
• write IRB applications;
• ensure components of projects are scheduled appropriately and delivered on-time.

Provide support to research studies:

• program studies in Qualtrics. O-tree (or other programs);
• create study materials (e.g.: mailers, prompts, emails, SMS copy, etc.);
• create research protocols for lab and field experiments;
• recruit participants and run lab and field studies.

Manage relationships with partners and sponsors:

• work with partners to determine how to implement agreed-upon studies;
• ensure partner expectations are met.

Candidates should have or be close to completing a Bachelor in Economics or related discipline.

Technical Skills:

• Some familiarity with statistics;
• understanding of behavioral science principles & randomized controlled trials;
• fluent in English and Dutch.

Other:

• Self-motivated;
• strong attention to detail;
• excellent analytical and problem-solving skills;
• productive, timely, and responsible, with organizational and prioritization skills;
• excellent teamwork and interpersonal skills;
• ability to adjust rapidly to evolving needs of multiple researchers and projects;
• working knowledge of psychology and behavioral economics;
• curiosity and a passion for inquiry;
• ability to work in changing environments and shift priorities when needed;
• strong time management skills, work ethic;
• ability to communicate effectively with people of varied backgrounds;
• demonstrated ability to work independently, as well as manage multiple research projects at once;
• ability to recognize their own limitations and ask for help when needed;
• ability to meet strict deadlines and work in a timely manner, keeping researchers up to date with progress on projects.

Other (preferred):

• Master’s degree in a social science or related field;
• prior knowledge of commonly used softwares such as Ztree, Otree, Qualtrics is appreciated but not required;
• experience running field or lab studies;
• experience working in a research environment, including planning and preparation of research materials, data collection, and data analysis.

The successful candidate will be offered a 1+2 year position as Researchassistant 5. Salary will be in accordance with Dutch academic salary scales. For a Research assistant it is between €1.992 and €2.770 per month based on a 38 hours per week (+16,3% holiday and end-year payments) dependent on experience and track record of the candidate. The Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities is applicable.

The intended start date is 20 May 2019.

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.

http://www.uva.nl/en/home

Faculty of Economics and Business and Dan Ariely’s Center for Advanced Hindsight

The work for this job stems from a collaboration between the Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB) at the UvA and Dan Ariely’s Center for Advanced Hindsight at Duke University. The collaboration will benefit from partnerships with private sector companies and will be centred on a wide range of topics including but not limited to exercise, mental well-being, nutrition, choice architecture, health and well-being in and around the workplace.