3 Researchers at the Assistant/Associate Professor Level at NIDI

At NIDI we conduct scientific research in the broad field of population studies. To strengthen the future course of the institute, NIDI is seeking next-generation talents in three areas:

• Labor market studies (associate professor level)
• Inequality studies (assistant professor level)
• Human geography/spatial studies(assistant professor level)

The new colleagues at the assistant or associate professor level will play a pivotal role in the institute by (a) developing innovative research lines in which the three areas are studied from a demographic interdisciplinary perspective, (b) strengthening the national and international position of NIDI in the three areas. The three midcareer positions are key for shaping the future of NIDI in maintaining its leading role in acquisition of new research projects, training the next generation of scholars (including PhD students and postdocs) and dissemination of research findings.

What you will do

You will build and expand a focused research line at NIDI around one of the three areas (labor market, inequality, or human geography/spatial studies) with a demographic perspective. As a midcareer scholar, you are expected to play a leading role in (one of) the thematic groups of the institute in the future (see below). You will foster collaborations within the institute and between NIDI and other institutes and universities at the national and European level. You are expected to strengthen and innovate the future position of the institute, participating in management, engaging in institute-wide responsibilities, and developing the institute's research agenda. You will participate in national and international academic research networks and publish in international scientific journals. You will be involved in the acquisition of competitive research grants either as a lead applicant or as a co-applicant. Furthermore, you will be involved in co-supervision of PhD students, together with senior staff. At NIDI, everyone engages in knowledge sharing and dissemination.

Where you will work

NIDI is one of the research institutes of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) and one of the leading demographic institutes in Europe. At NIDI both PhD students and postdocs, as well as professors at all levels are employed. The mission of NIDI is to carry out the most excellent scientific work and share this knowledge with societal stakeholders to address challenges related to demographic change. NIDI is located in a historical building in the city center of the Hague. NIDI employees work at least half of their work time on-site, a practice that fosters cohesion, creativity, and productivity. We expect employees to live within manageable travel distance.

The work climate is based on mutual respect, openness, and direct contact. Many employees collaborate both across and within levels of seniority. Training the next generation by supervising PhD projects and guiding postdocs is one of the institute's key tasks and NIDI prides itself on a tradition of close and successful supervision. NIDI scholars give courses at universities, supervises national and international internships, and supervises master theses students. Acquisition of external research funding is essential to the mission of the institute.

Most of the research at NIDI is based on data from large-scale (national and international) surveys, censuses, and population registers. NIDI conducts primary data collection, both nationally and internationally and is a major contributor to the data infrastructures in the social sciences, including the Generations and Gender Survey. While primarily academically oriented, NIDI is strongly involved in the science-policy interface, collaborates with Statistics Netherlands and various Ministries, and plays a leading role in informing public debates about population developments in the Netherlands and Europe.

NIDI comprises five thematic groups: (1) Families & gender, (2) Migrants & migration, (3) Demographic change and the labor market, (4) Health, ageing and mortality, (5) Data infrastructure and open science. Each group has approximately 10-15 members. The new faculty will be affiliated with one of the groups, but will play a key role in connecting across groups.

Whom we are looking for

We are looking for excellent scholars with a PhD degree in one of the social sciences like demography, sociology, geography, (micro)economics, organization studies, public policy, epidemiology/public health, data sciences, or social psychology - with expertise in one of the three priority areas (labor market studies, inequality studies, spatial studies/human geography). Candidates should have an affinity with population studies or be willing to develop this further in their work. We expect excellent skills in quantitative methods, statistics and programming.

Successful applicants at the associate professor level have a competitive international research profile demonstrated by publications in impactful peer-reviewed journals. They have a track record of independent research, grant acquisition and building collaborations and independent research networks.

Successful applicants at the assistant professor level demonstrate a successful start in developing independent research beyond their doctoral work. They have a vision for research that will contribute to the broad field of population studies and are able developing a focused and prolific research portfolio.

Experience in applying for external research funding is an asset, as is earlier experience in the (co-)supervision of PhD students. We expect candidates to be enthusiastic inspiring supervisors, and have good social and communicative skills. Proficiency in English is essential.

What we offer

We offer a versatile position at a top scientific research institute, excellent mentorship, and the opportunity to conduct innovative, socially relevant research. We offer a salary of € 4,537 – € 7,056 (scale 11/12) for the researchers at the assistant professor level and € 6,286 – € 8,405 (scale 13/14) for the associate professor level. Furthermore, depending on career stage and performance there is the future perspective of having a professorship with our strategic partner the University of Groningen/UMCG. We offer a permanent employment contract conditional on a successful evaluation after the first year. The employment contract will be for 32 to 38 hours per week. The contract falls under the CAO UNL.

NIDI has excellent secondary labor conditions with a wide range of individually tailormade arrangements. We provide you with IT equipment and a smartphone with a subscription.

What we find important

Promoting an inclusive community is central to NIDI’s values and vision. NIDI is a diverse and international community in which all staff members feel valued and respected and are able to develop to their full potential. The diversity in experiences in our community enriches our research.

About NIDI

The Netherlands Interdisciplinary Demographic Institute (NIDI) is a leading European demographic research institute. NIDI is part of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) and affiliated with the University of Groningen. It is located in the center of The Hague providing a unique and stimulating research environment in the broad field of population studies. Currently the staff of the institute consists of about 80 employees of different levels of seniority. The working environment is highly international and NIDI provides ample opportunities for training and development.

Terms of employment
We offer a salary of € 4,537 – € 7,056 (scale 11/12 cao Nederlandse Universiteiten/KNAW) for the researchers at the assistant professor level and € 6,286 – € 8,405 (scale 13/14 cao Nederlandse Universiteiten/KNAW) for the associate professor level. This is exclusive of 8% vacation allowance, 8.3% year-end bonus, travel allowance, internet allowance, home working allowance and pension accrual with ABP.

The KNAW offers its staff an excellent package of secondary benefits. A package that meets the different needs of employees depending on their stage of life, lifestyle or career ambitions. For example, by working an extra two hours a week, it is possible to increase the number of days off from 29 to 41 days a year (with full-time employment). 

For a complete overview of the terms of employment, please refer to the web page: werken bij de KNAW.

Applying for a Certificate of Good Conduct can be part of the employment procedure.

Diversity & Inclusion
The KNAW considers a working environment in which everyone feels welcome and appreciated of great importance. A working environment in which attention is paid to individual quality and where development opportunities are paramount. Together we strive for an inclusive culture in which we embrace differences. We would therefore like to invite candidates who want to contribute to this through their background and experience. In the event of equal suitability, preference will be given to the candidate who thus enhances diversity within the Academy.

We will not respond to any supplier enquiries based on this job advertisement.