Postdoc Exploring Bias and Perception in Historical Botanical Citizen Science - Meertens Institute
Locatie: Amsterdam
Max uren per week: 38,00
Max salaris: 5.929
Duur overeenkomst: 2,5 jaar
Solliciteer t/m: 12-05-2024
Meertens institute in Amsterdam is hiring a
Postdoc Exploring Bias and Perception in Historical Botanical Citizen Science - Meertens Institute, Amsterdam (28-38 hrs)
What you will be doing
We are excited to announce a postdoctoral opportunity within the research project "Botanical Records Through a Social Lens: Exploring Bias and Perception in Historical Citizen Science", aimed at merging historical biodiversity data from the digitized Flora Batava (an unique illustrated survey of plants native to the Netherlands in the nineteenth century, see https://www.kb.nl/ontdekken-bewonderen/topstukken/flora-batava-bladerboeken) with contemporary botanical databases. This interdisciplinary endeavor seeks to illuminate shifts in societal attitudes towards nature, uncover biases (such as gender, or prestige biases), and reveal cultural impacts within botanical data collections, thereby deepening our understanding of botanical history and the evolving human-nature relationship.
As a postdoctoral researcher, you will play a pivotal role in achieving our objectives, which include constructing a social network to analyze contributions to the Flora Batava, delving into the sociocultural evolution of botany, and identifying as well as measuring biases within botanical citizen science. This position not only offers the chance to contribute to vital environmental knowledge and climate action initiatives but also fosters collaboration among prestigious institutes (such as the Netherlands Institute for Ecology, FLORON, and the National Library), enhancing the integration of ecological, sociocultural, and historical insights into botanical science.
What you will be contributing
The successful applicant has completed a PhD and has a background in environmental humanities, social sciences, ecology, or any other relevant research field, alongside proficiency in statistical and quantitative methodologies such as, for example, mixed-effects regression modeling. We particularly value experience in network analysis, sentiment analysis, and a demonstrable commitment to interdisciplinary research. We value a good track record in scholarly publishing. Experience with open science, data science, and data archiving is a plus. You like the variety of different roles: scientific research, complex data analysis, public service (open science), and collaboration within the Meertens Institute and beyond.
Please notice that at the start of the employment as well as throuout the duration of the employment we expect yout the reside in The Netherlands.
What do we offer?
We offer you a versatile position within a top scientific institute, good supervision and coaching, and the opportunity to do current and socially relevant research. It concerns a position for 0.8 fte for 2,5 years. It is however possible to fill the employment with an appointment of 1 fte for a shorter duration. You will have opportunities for further development of knowledge and technical skills, through courses at the Academy and participating at (inter)national conferences. You will have extensive opportunities for training and opportunities for personal development. You are part of a small team at the Meertens Institute, consulting with the institutional partners (National Library, FLORON and NIOO) within the project. The team consists of Folgert Karsdorp and Rebeca Ibañez Martín (Meertens Institute), Koen Verhoeven (KNAW-NIOO), Laurens Sparrius (FLORON), and Esther van Gelder (National Library).
More information
General information about the Meertens Institute can be found on the institute’s website (meertens.knaw.nl). For more information about the vacancy, please contact Dr. Folgert Karsdorp, folgert.karsdorp@meertens.knaw.nl, team leader Oral Culture.
About Meertens
The Meertens Institute is a research institute of the KNAW. This institute is engaged in the study and documentation of the Dutch language and culture. Central are the phenomena that shape daily life in our society. The collections of the Meertens Institute are an important part of the national humanities infrastructure.
Employment conditions
The salary, depending on education and experience, amounts to a minimum of €4.332 and a maximum of €5.929 gross per month for full-time employment (scale 11 collective agreement Dutch Universities/KNAW) . This excludes 8% vacation allowance, 8.3% year-end bonus, travel allowance, internet and home working allowance and pension accrual with the ABP.
The KNAW offers its employees an excellent package of fringe benefits. A package that suits the different needs of employees, depending on their stage of life, lifestyle or career ambitions. For example, by working an extra two hours per week it is possible to increase the number of days of vacation from 29 to 41 days per year (for full-time employment).
For a complete overview of the terms of employment, see the webpage: working at the KNAW.
Applying for a VOG may be part of the hiring process.
Diversity & Inclusion
The KNAW considers a working environment in which everyone feels welcome and valued of great importance. A work environment in which attention is paid to individual quality and where development opportunities are paramount. Together we strive for an inclusive culture where we embrace differences. We invite candidates who want to contribute to this with their background and experience. In case of equal suitability, preference will be given to the candidate who strengthens the diversity within the KNAW in this way.
Acquisition in response to this advertisement is not appreciated.