Researcher / project leader

Are you passionate about doing research on skills, health, education, and the labour market? Are you a social scientist, economist, sociologist, or health scientist with strong quantitative skills? Do you have good project management skills, and would you like to develop these further? And are you a real team player? Then our vacancy for a researcher/project leader at the Research Centre for Education and the Labour Market at Maastricht University would be a good match for you!

Job Description
The Research Centre for Education and the Labour Market (ROA) at Maastricht University is recruiting a researcher/project leader to help us shape and expand our research program at the intersection of health, education, and work. You are expected to perform research activities and take the lead in project management in various projects, and to engage in project acquisition. Firstly, you will be involved in several existing research projects related to the acquisition and use of skills, such as the PIAAC project (see https://roa.nl/projects/piaac) and the Horizon Europe-funded Skills2Capabilities project (see https://roa.nl/projects/skills2capabilities-horizon-europe-project). Secondly, you will contribute to research projects on health in relation to education and work, especially focusing on the concept of Positive Health (see https://roa.nl/news/tim-huijts-appointed-professor-positive-health-work). Thirdly, you will be expected to contribute to the acquisition and initiation of new research projects around these topics, and to develop your own areas of interest and expertise within the focus of this research program. Your exact involvement in these research projects and in the acquisition and initiation of new research projects will depend on your background, skills, and preferences.

You work together with a wide range of stakeholders from practice, policy, and science. You will also have access to and contribute to the international network of ROA and Maastricht University’s School of Business and Economics (SBE). Our work involves contracts and collaborations with a wide range of clients and subsidy providers (international institutions, ministries and local authorities, employers' organizations, NWO, and educational institutions). ROA offers a very inspiring academic working environment, in which we work as a team on societally relevant research. As a researcher/project leader, you will have the opportunity to participate in research at the intersection of science and policy. You also further develop your skills by taking part in courses and training.

The researcher/project leader will have the following main tasks and responsibilities:

• Lead various projects on skills, health, education, and work.
• Contribute to the acquisition of new research projects on these themes.
• Develop your own areas of interest and expertise within the focus of this research program.
• Publish your research in high-quality international peer-reviewed journals.
• Contribute to communication and knowledge dissemination for a wide range of stakeholders in science, policy, and practice.
• Contribute to the ROA research community, for example by taking part in ROA’s internal seminars and being active in ROA’s international network.

Requirements
Candidates will be judged on the basis of the requirements outlined below. To be considered, please make sure that your application letter demonstrates how you meet these requirements:

• A PhD degree in Social Sciences, Economics, Sociology, or Health Sciences, and at least one year of research experience after obtaining your PhD.
• Advanced analytical skills and quantitative research skills, as demonstrated in your PhD thesis and journal publications. Good qualitative research skills are a plus.
• Good writing skills in the Dutch and/or English language is a plus.
• Strong affinity (and preferably experience) with research on skills, health, education, and/or work.
• Outstanding communication and team player skills (e.g., communicating clearly and proactively, cooperating and collaborating with various internal and external stakeholders).
• Strong project management skills (e.g., functioning under time pressure, taking responsibility, taking the lead in initiating and acquiring new research projects).
• Affinity with work in an interdisciplinary and international environment.

What we offer
As Researcher / project leader at School of Business and Economics, you will be employed by the most international university in the Netherlands, located in the beautiful city of Maastricht. In addition, we offer you:

• Good employment conditions. The position is graded in scale 11 according to UFO profile Researcher, with corresponding salary based on experience ranging from €4537,00 and €6209,00 gross per month (based on a full-time employment of 38 hours per week). In addition to the monthly salary, an 8.0% holiday allowance and an 8.3% year-end bonus apply.
• An employment contract for a period of 24 months with a scope of 1,0 FTE, with an evaluation after 12 months. In case of a positive evaluation, the contract can be extended for an additional 24 months.
• At Maastricht University, the well-being of our employees is of utmost importance, we offer flexible working hours and the possibility to work partly from home if the nature of your position allows it. You will receive a monthly commuting and internet allowance for this. If you work full-time, you will be entitled to 29 vacation days and 4 additional public holidays per year, namely carnival Monday, carnival Tuesday, Good Friday, and Liberation Day. If you choose to accumulate compensation hours, an additional 12 days will be added. Furthermore, you can personalize your employment conditions through a collective labor agreement (CAO) choice model.
• As Maastricht University, we offer various other excellent secondary employment conditions. These include a good pension scheme with the ABP and the opportunity for UM employees to participate in company fitness and make use of the extensive sports facilities that we also offer to our students.
• Last but certainly not least, we provide the space and facilities for your personal and professional development. We facilitate this by offering a wide range of training programs and supporting various well-established initiatives such as 'acknowledge and appreciate'.

The terms of employment at Maastricht University are largely set out in the collective labor agreement of Dutch Universities. In addition, local provisions specific to UM apply. For more information, click here.

Maastricht University
Why work at Maastricht University?
At Maastricht University (UM), everything revolves around the future. The future of our students, as we work to equip them with a solid, broad-based foundation for the rest of their lives. And the future of society, as we seek solutions through our research to issues from all around the world. Our six faculties combined provide a comprehensive package of study programmes and research.

In our teaching, we use the Problem-Based Learning (PBL) method. Students work in small groups, looking for solutions to problems themselves. By discussing issues and working together to draw conclusions, formulate answers and present them to their peers, students develop essential skills for their future careers.

With over 22,300 students and more than 5,000 employees from all over the world, UM is home to a vibrant and inspiring international community.

Are you drawn to an international setting focused on education, science and scholarship? Are you keen to contribute however your skills and qualities allow? Our door is open to you! As a young European university, we value your talent and look forward to creating the future together.

Click here for more information about UM.

The School of Business and Economics
The School of Business and Economics (SBE) is one of Maastricht University’s six faculties. Our mission is to contribute to a better world by addressing societal problems, by co-creating knowledge and developing team players and leaders for the future.

By joining SBE, you will be part of the 1% of business schools worldwide to be Triple Crown accredited (EQUIS, AACSB and AMBA). You will join an inspiring and international environment, where learning and development is priority.

Curious?
Are you interested in this exciting position but still have questions? Feel free to contact prof. dr. Tim Huijts at t.huijts@maastrichtuniversity.nl or +31 (0)43-3882880 for more information.

Applying?
Or are you already convinced and ready to become our new Researcher / project leader? Apply now, no later than 7 May 2025, for this position.

The first interviews preferably take place on May 20 and May 27. The second interviews will preferably be held on June 10. The preferred starting date for the position is September 1, 2025.

The vacancy is open for internal and external candidates. In case of equal qualifications, internal candidates will be prioritized.

Maastricht University is committed to promoting and nurturing a diverse and inclusive community. We believe that diversity in our staff and student population contributes to the quality of research and education at UM, and strive to enable this through inclusive policies and innovative projects led by teams of staff and students. We encourage you to apply for this position.