Vacancy number: 16600
Job type: Academic staff
Contract hours min: 30
Contract hours max: 31
Location: Leiden
Applying is possible up to and including: 18 juni 2026
Postdoctoral Researcher Position on Citizen Science and Public Trust in Science
How can citizen science increase public trust in science and foster equity in the research system? The Centre for Science and Technology Studies (CWTS) of Leiden University has an opening for a postdoc researcher (0,8 fte) for 24 months to carry out a research project funded by the Dutch Research Council (NWO) under its OS-NL Research on Open Science funding instrument. While earlier research about this topic has addressed the people actively participating in citizen science (CS) projects, we will investigate the perceptions and perspectives of citizens, researchers and policy makers who do not directly involved in such projects. The project will study four CS projects in the domain of environmental science, using a survey, individual interviews, and focus group interviews.
What you will do
The purpose of this position is to conduct original research about how CS relates to public trust and to equitable research practices in environmental science, by exploring how the involvement of citizens in scientific research influences trust of other people, with special attention to those who historically experience a large psychological distance to science.
The main responsibilities of the researcher will entail:
- Selecting relevant cases of citizen science projects in Netherlands, in consultation with research team
- Conducting exploratory interviews with project leaders of CS projects, to understand the projects, and identify relevant social and institutional factors that may influence trust in science.
- Preparing and carrying out a survey and focus-groups with non-participating citizens who live in direct proximity of the research activities, to gain more clarity on how they view these projects and how that relates to their trust
- Conducting interviews with non-participating scientific researchers, policy makers and other stakeholders about their perspectives on the CS projects
- Analysing the data in collaboration with the research team
- Publishing research results in peer-reviewed academic journals, conference papers, policy papers or other relevant formats
- Engaging with stakeholders through workshops, a citizen sounding board, and a stakeholder advisory panel
Communicating pro-actively and collaborating with the other members of the research team
This project is conducted in collaboration with an interdisciplinary team consisting of prof. dr. Laurens Hessels (Rathenau Instituut and Leiden University), dr. Anne-Floor Schölvinck (Rathenau Instituut), dr. Bastiaan Rutjens (University of Amsterdam), Kirsten Vegt MSc (RIVM), and dr. Janneke Elberse (RIVM).
Where you will work
The Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences consists of five institutes: the Centre for Science and Technology Studies, Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology, Education and Child Studies, Political Science, and Psychology. The faculty is home to approximately 7,000 students and 1,000 staff members. Our institutes are dedicated not only to education but also to groundbreaking research that pushes the boundaries of our understanding of human behavior and societal structures. What makes our faculty unique is the diversity of research topics, the variety of teaching approaches, and the way professional support is structured. This provides you with the opportunity to explore and develop your interests and expertise. For an introduction to our faculty, visit our website: Welcome to the Leiden Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences – Leiden University.
The Centre for Science and Technology Studies (CWTS) at Leiden University is a renowned research institute in the field of science studies. Our mission is to enhance the way science is practiced, organized, and serves society. We conduct pioneering research, utilizing large datasets to analyze researchers’ activities, their outcomes, and the impact of these results. Additionally, we support research organizations by providing advanced data-driven analyses and research intelligence solutions. For more information, visit our website: CWTS – Leiden University.
The appointed candidate will join an interdisciplinary team of researchers in the Engagement and Inclusion Focal Area of CWTS.
What you bring
- A completed or close to completing a PhD in science and technology studies, sociology, innovation sciences, psychology or another relevant discipline by the post start date.
- Knowledge of, or proven affinity with citizen science.
- Experience working on projects and in multi- or interdisciplinary teams.
- Experience with survey design and analysis.
- Experience with, or willing to learn, qualitative social science methods, in particular with interviews and focus groups.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Experience with communicating and disseminating academic knowledge.
- A commitment to contributing to an open, safe, and inclusive working environment
- A willingness to actively engage with the Engagement and Inclusion Focal Area, contributing collaboratively to its intellectual community and strategic development.
- Experience with working independently and with a proactive attitude Fluency in both Dutch (at least level C1) and English (level C2).
If you immediately recognise yourself in this profile, or if do you not quite meet all the requirements, but you believe that this is the right job for you, we look forward to your application!
What we offer
Our goal is to work together to create a transparent and inclusive work environment in which everyone feels welcome and appreciated. Our organisation is always evolving and we need your ideas for improvement and innovation to take us further. We want to devote attention to your personal development.
You can expect an enjoyable job within the socially relevant world of education and research. The University's challenging and international work environment is located just steps away from Leiden’s lively city centre or the bustling city centre of The Hague. We also want to work with you to devote attention to your health and vitality, for example with the fun activities we organise through Healthy University.
We also offer:
- An employment contract for 30,4 hours per week for 24 months. This contract falls under the CLA of Dutch Universities;
- A salary between €4728 - €6433 gross per month, based on a full-time appointment (38 hours) (Scale 11);
- A holiday allowance (8%), an end-of-year bonus (8,3%), and an attractive pension scheme at ABP;
- Flexible working hours: as a standard, you are entitled to a minimum of 29 leave days on the basis of a full-time working week of 38 hours; you can also save for extra leave, for example by working 40 hours a week, and in this way accrue an extra 96 leave hours, or exchange 96 leave hours for a 36-hour week.
- Lots of options when it comes to secondary employment conditions; we can, for example, discuss options for a sabbatical or paid parental leave. Within our terms of employment individual choices model, you can exchange leave days and/or salary for benefits such as an advantageous sports subscription and bicycle scheme;
- If your work allows it, hybrid working is possible within the Netherlands;
- A home-working allowance (day and internet allowance) and attention for good workplaces. The University will also provide you with a laptop and a mobile telephone.
For more information about employment conditions, see https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/working-at/job-application-procedure-and-employment-conditions
What we find important
Promoting an inclusive community is central to Leiden University’s values and vision. Leiden University aims to be an inclusive community in which all students and staff members feel valued and respected and are able to develop to their full potential. Diversity in experiences and perspectives enriches our teaching and strengthens our research. High-quality education and research means inclusive education and research.
Want to apply or find out more?
If you want to apply straight away, click the application button.
If you would like more information about what the job entails, please contact Laurens Hessels, professor by special appointment, at [email protected]. You can apply until June 18; applications will be processed immediately.
To help us get to know each other better, we follow a number of steps in the application procedure. For more information, see https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/working-at/job-application-procedure-and-employment-conditions
- We believe mobility is very important. That is why we are also publishing this vacancy internally. In case of equal suitability, we will give priority to the internal candidate.
- A pre-employment screening (references, diplomas, certificate of good conduct (VOG)) may be part of the selection procedure.
- Acquisition in response to this vacancy is not appreciated. If you nevertheless choose to send us CVs, no rights can be derived from this. #LI-Hybrid
