PhD about improving the quality and reproducibility of research

Are you motivated to improve the quality of research practices? As a PhD student in the TRUSTparency project you will research reproducibility in different disciplinary domains. Interested? Apply now!

Job description

This PhD position is part of the research project “TRUSTparency” (funded by the EU funding program Horizon Europe). The aim of the project is to help researchers, research leaders, policy makers, funders and publishers to improve the quality of research practices. This will be done by investigating reproducibility across different disciplinary contexts and create and test promotion plans across different disciplinary fields (including publishers and funders).

In this project we want to answer the following questions:

• How can we make research practices more trustworthy?
• How can we improve reproducibility?
• What is reproducibility across disciplinary domains?
• How can we help researchers and institutions to foster reproducibility?
• What promotion activities are helpful to funders, journals and researchers with the aim of improving reproducibility practices?

You will collaborate closely with international partners in the project and will be part of the conduct of a Delphi Study, systematic reviews, creation of promotion plans with co-creation activities and pilot testing in different disciplinary domains. For more information on the project, please contact Joeri Tijdink, the principal investigator of this project (see contact details below).

Would you like to know more about the different phases within the PhD trajectory? You can read more about this on this page.

You will find empirical answers to these questions using qualitative (Delphi methods, co-creation workshops, pilot testing) and quantitative research methods (systematic reviews). Specifically you:

• Design, preregister, perform and report the Delphi studies. You will contribute to the evidence collection of a systematic review, will participate in the organization of the co-creation workshops, and will organize part of the pilot testing and dissemination of the results of the project.
• Coordinate and manage the data collection.
• Perform the data analyses under supervision of the research team.
• Participate in several research integrity training programs.

The results will lead to 3-5 international research publications in the coming 4 years.

Requirements

You are a motivated and talented junior researcher with a passion for academic research and improving research quality. Given the multidisciplinary nature of the project, curiosity and persistence in exploring various fields are essential. You are a strong team player but also work well independently. Creative, ambitious, and proactive, you are eager to contribute new ideas. You are committed to self-improvement, reliable, and conscientious, with excellent planning and organizational skills.

Your profile is further characterized by:

• A finished master degree in psychology, social sciences, philosophy, biomedical sciences, health related sciences, or a related discipline with a specific interest in research.
• Preferably you already have participated in research and have some experience in performing literature research, organizing and performing empirical (qualitative and/or qualitative) research, the use of statistical methods in data analysis or experience in writing a research publication.
• Strong communicative skills and the ability to connect with different target groups. Moreover, because of the nature of the project, basic knowledge of the Dutch language and good skills in English are required.

Conditions of employment

• A flying start to your career in research work in a metropolis with a diverse and open culture, and a multicultural society.
• Working with motivated colleagues from all corners of the world.
• The position is for 4 years. We offer a fixed term contract for 4 years, with a probation period of 12 months.
• Salary scale OIO: € 3.017 to € 3.824 gross per month based on full-time employment (depending on education and experience) and a year-end bonus of 8.3%. Calculate your net salary here.
• Holiday hours: 186,4 per year for fulltime and a possibility to save additional hours.
• Pension accrual with BeFrank, a modern, comprehensible and fairly priced pension.
• For >7 km each way, 100% reimbursement for public transport travel costs and, for private transport, €0.18 per km up to a maximum of 40 km each way.
• Do you prefer walking or cycling? Take advantage of our good bike scheme. Moreover, you will receive a reimbursement of €0.18 per km.

Watch this video with more information about joining Amsterdam UMC Research BV.

Employer

Amsterdam UMC

Amsterdam UMC Research BV supports non-profit scientific research. In doing so, we provide researchers with everything they need to excel. Our principal investigators (PIs) and project leaders offer support in the field of project management, finance and human resources. In medical scientific research projects, legal support is also provided.

Watch the video to find out more.

You will be part of the Research Integrity group of the department of Ethics, Law and Humanities and collaborate closely with the Epidemiology and Data science department. You will be supervised by Dr. J.K. Tijdink, Principal Investigator, and Mariska Leeflang, Professor of Clinical Epidemiology. Moreover, you will join all activities organized by the Research Integrity group and will partake in the monthly research integrity lunches.

There is an active staff association and the Young Amsterdam UMC association, both of which organize fun (sports) activities and events. Moreover, PhD candidates are encouraged to participate in the ASAP events. ASAP is an inspiring group of PhD candidates that organizes sessions for PhD candidates and represents the voice of PhDs at Amsterdam UMC.

Additional information

During the publication period, applications will be handled continuously. If the vacancy is filled, it will be closed prematurely. Interviews are scheduled for January 2025. We kindly ask you to keep that in mind when applying.

If you have any questions about this position, please feel free to contact Dr. J.K. Tijdink, Principal Investigator, via jk.tijdink@amsterdamumc.nl.

For more information about the application procedure, please contact Rhiannon Sandfort, Recruitment advisor, via r.e.sandfort@amsterdamumc.nl.

A reference check, screening and hiring test may be part of the procedure. Read here whether that applies to you. If you join us, we ask you for a VOG (Certificate of Good Conduct).

Internal candidates will be given priority over external candidates in case of equal suitability.

Acquisition in response to this vacancy is not appreciated.