Lead Research Developer Platform for Large Scale Analysis of Networks

We are seeking a proactive and organized Lead Developer to support the growing activities of PLANET-NL, a collaborative inter-university research group at the University of Amsterdam and Leiden University.

Join Us
PLANET-NL unites multiple funded projects from various funders, including several NWO projects and PDI-SSH, all centered around large-scale analysis of network data, with a focus on social networks. The group consists of people in computer science and social science, and related disciplines.

The successful candidate will play a central role in maintaining and developing research infrastructure on large scale social network analysis that has been developed over the past years. A key responsibility is to develop this infrastructure within the Remote Access environment of Statistics Netherlands (CBS), increasing the availability and usability of the register based network data. A second key responsibility is to work closely together with policymakers and (re)develop the infrastructure to allow policy makers to gain actionable insights on key societal problems such as segregation, upward mobility, and political citizinship.

What are you going to do

• Develop and optimize code packages on large scale multilayer network analysis
• Conduct research using large scale network data on topics such as political behaviour or upward economic mobility
• Work with policymakers an co-create network analytic research infrastructure geared towards actionable insights

What do you have to offer

• A PhD in (or near completion) in the domain of computational social science, showing mastery of large scale social network analysis
• Experience in working with person-network files in the Remote Access environment of Statistics Netherlands, including longitdunal large-scale analysis
• Proven track record of successful collaboration with academic institutions, policy makers, research funders, or similar stakeholders.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage diverse audiences.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with experience managing multiple stakeholders and deadlines.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
• Proven track record of academic articles in top general purpose science / leading social network journals)

What else do we offer you
We offer a temporary full-time contract of 38 hours per week (1,0 fte) at the department of political science for a period of two years with a probation period of two months.

The intended starting date is December 2025

The starting salary will be based on qualifications, expertise and relevant work experience, ranging from a minimum of €3546 to a maximum of €6433 gross per month based on full-time employment of 38 hours per week, in keeping with salary scale 10 or 11, as per the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities. The job profile 'onderzoeker' is applicable. We additionally offer an extensive package of secondary benefits, including 8% holiday allowance and a year-end bonus of 8.3%.

You will work in this department
The Department of Political Science is a large department, part of the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences (FMG). The Department of Political Science strives for thematic breadth and methodological and epistemological pluralism. Teaching is offered both in English and in Dutch, in BA- and (Res)MA-programmes that offer options for thematic and methodological specialization.

We strive for excellence in a caring institute. We wish to reflect society in all aspects, as we believe that this improves the dynamics in our organization. Therefore, we support and understand the need for a work/life/family balance and consequently varying working hours and places.

If you recognize yourself in this profile and are interested in the role, we look forward to receiving your motivation letter and CV. You can apply via the red button. This search is on a rolling basis and will close once a suitable candidate is found. In case of equal qualifications, internal candidates will be given preference over external candidates.

For questions about the vacancy, you can contact: e.m.heemskerk@uva.nl