Post Doc in Science and Technology

Vacancy number 20-331

Function type Academic staff

Hours (in fte) 0.8

External/ internal External

Location Leiden

Placed on 16 July 2020

Closing date 28 July 2020

The section Institute of Centre for Science and Technology Studies of the institute Centre for Science and Technology Studies of the Faculty Social and Behavioural Sciences is looking for a

Post Doc in Science and Technology 

Project description
The Centre for Science and Technology Studies (CWTS, Leiden University) has a vacancy for a postdoctoral researcher with a background in Science and Technology Studies (STS). The researcher will work on two projects. The first project is funded through the Research on Research Institute, of which CWTS is one of the founding partners. The second project FluidKnowledge is funded by the European Research Council (ERC). The postdoctoral researcher will become member of the Science and Evaluation Studies (SES) research group at CWTS, led by Sarah de Rijcke.

RoRI Excellence project (0.5 FTE)
The idea of ‘excellence’ has become an increasingly important part of the research ecosystem over the last 20 years. In policy terms, initiatives like the UK’s Research Excellence Framework, Switzerland’s Eccellenza grants and Germany’s Exzellenzinitiative have put excellence at the centre of research support and evaluation activities. However, ‘excellence’ remains ambiguous and ill-defined. It is often operationalised in terms of reliance on a small number of metrics, such as H-Index and Journal Impact Factors, or even informal ‘instinctive’ reactions (‘I know it when I see it’).  This project will assess the ways in which the idea of excellence is currently used by funders and other key actors in the research ecosystem (including publishers, university managers, and research evaluation agencies, as well as researchers themselves), and to evaluate the functions it serves in specific practices (including funding decision making, publishing, quality evaluation etc), in order to explore its possible futures. The project is led by Stephen Pinfield (Sheffield), Sarah de Rijcke and Dr. Thomas Franssen (CWTS).

The FluidKnowledge project (0.3 FTE)
Research evaluation can help science deliver its promise to society. But does it? Many experts think not, because we are increasingly creating a monoculture in science and scholarship. We risk promoting only one type of winner – who often takes all. And we risk not being able to address planet-critical questions. We know little about these potential adverse effects of evaluation. Therefore this project investigates what role evaluation plays in the field of ocean science. Ocean science is under great pressure to be both scientifically excellent, and relevant to industry, and relevant to the future of the planet. Does evaluation help or hinder ocean science to tackle climate change? The project is led by Sarah de Rijcke.

Selection criteria

• A PhD degree in Science and Technology Studies or Organization Studies or related field;
• Strong skills in designing, organizing and executing qualitative research, especially case studies through interviews and document analysis;
• Interest in/experience with working collaboratively with societal actors in the case studies (e.g. research funders) is appreciated;
• Fluency in spoken English and excellent writing skills in English;
• Strong analytical capacity;
• Willingness and proven ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Our organisation
The Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences comprises four institutes: Education and Child Studies, Political Science, Psychology and Cultural Anthropology & Development Sociology. The Faculty also includes the Centre for Science and Technology Studies. The Faculty is home to 5,000 students and 600 members of staff. Our teaching and research programmes cover diverse topics varying from adoption to political behaviour.

The Centre for Science and Technology Studies (CWTS) 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. Studies at CWTS range across the broad field of science, technology and innovation studies.

Terms and conditions
We offer a 13 month fixed-term position. Starting date is September 1, 2020. Salary range from € 3.746,- to € 5.127,- gross per month on a full-time basis (pay scale 11, in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities).

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.

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

Information
Enquiries can be made to Thomas Franssen and Sarah de Rijcke by e-mail at t.p.franssen@cwts.leidenuniv.nl or at s.de.rijcke@cwts.leidenuniv.nl.

Applications
Please submit online your application no later than 28 July 2020 via the blue button in our application system. Applicants should submit online a letter of interest accompanied by a CV.

Promising candidates will be invited for an interview on Thursday 30 July or Monday 17 August.