Your function

Step into a dynamic role as a Junior Researcher in Science with and for Society, where you’ll uncover how science shapes – and is shaped by – society through topics like science communication, citizen science, and reflexive monitoring. You’ll blend research and teaching, contributing to interdisciplinary projects while inspiring and supporting students in the classroom. If you’re curious, collaborative, and driven to make science more impactful and inclusive, we’d love to hear from you.

Your duties

We are looking for a motivated Junior Researcher (pre-doctoral) in Science with and for Society to join our team. In this role, you will contribute to research and project management at the interface of science and society, with a particular focus on science communication (SciCom), citizen science, reflective practice, and reflexive monitoring.

You will be involved in designing and conducting inter- and transdisciplinary research projects, analysing how scientific knowledge is communicated and used in societal contexts, and assist with the translation of research efforts into policy impact. In the spirit of transdisciplinary work and action-oriented research, you will co-develop and facilitate workshops, trainings, and guidelines with a wide diversity of stakeholders.

In addition, you will contribute to teaching activities, such as supporting courses, supervising student projects, and helping to develop educational materials. You will also assist with administrative responsibilities, including project coordination, reporting, and course organization. We value candidates who are curious, analytically strong, and eager to engage with diverse stakeholders.

Your profile

We offer a stimulating research environment and opportunities for professional development at the intersection of science, policy, and society.

As a university, we strive for equal opportunities for all, recognising that diversity takes many forms. We believe that diversity in all its complexity is invaluable for the quality of our teaching, research and service. We are always looking for talent with diverse backgrounds and experiences. This also means that we are committed to creating an inclusive community so that we can use diversity as an asset.

We realise that each individual brings a unique set of skills, expertise and mindset. Therefore we are happy to invite anyone who recognises themselves in the profile to apply, even if you do not meet all the requirements.

What do we offer?

A challenging position in a socially engaged organisation. At VU Amsterdam, you contribute to education, research and service for a better world. And that is valuable. So in return for your efforts, we offer you:

We also offer you attractive fringe benefits and regulations. Some examples: