Postdoctoral Researcher

Vacaturenr.

15664

Functie-categorie

Wetenschappelijke functies

Omvang (fte)

0,8

Extern/intern

Extern

Locatie

Leiden

Geplaatst op

6 mei 2025

Sluitingsdatum

19 mei 2025

**Postdoctoral Researcher (24 months, 0.8 FTE)**

The Faculty Office and Institute of Education and Child Studies at the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences at Leiden University is looking for a postdoctoral researcher.

**The RIDE project**
Developed at Leiden University, RIDE helps teachers systematically reflect on their expertise and tasks, fostering their professional development.
RIDE supports self-reflection across five key domains of the university’s Teacher Development Model (more information: Our vision on teacher development - Leiden University), focusing on competencies, task variety, and the impact of teaching roles. It aids in setting development goals and planning learning activities, such as for annual performance reviews.

This postdoctoral position offers a unique chance to research and improve teaching quality and teacher development. You will further develop, test, and refine RIDE across multiple faculties, employing both qualitative and quantitative methods to optimize the tool and explore the effectiveness of various implementation strategies (e.g., peer reflection groups, individual coaching).

**What you will do**
Over 24 months, you will work through different research phases to optimize, implement, and evaluate RIDE across multiple faculties.
- Phase 0 - Development & Prototyping (2 months): Continue the transformation of RIDE into a modular, interactive digital tool (integration with existing university systems, no programming required). Finish the ethical approval process.
- Phase 1 - Design Research (6 months): Iteratively improve RIDE using design-based research methodology. Identify the most effective implementation strategies across faculties. Recruit and guide 30 teachers for testing. Conduct measurements, interviews, and data analysis to evaluate the effects of RIDE on self-reflection, job satisfaction, and teaching quality.
- Phase 2 - Testing & Implementing Strategies (6 months): Implement and evaluate up to three implementation strategies (e.g., peer reflection groups, coaching). Perform pre
- and post-measurements. Use both quantitative (ANOVA, regression analysis) and qualitative (thematic analysis, open surveys) methods.
- Final Phase - Analysis & Reporting (10 months):
Analyse results, publish scientific articles and policy reports, and present and communicate findings at Leiden University and external networks.

**Why is this position exciting?**
Your work has a tangible societal impact: you directly contribute to the professional development of teachers and the enhancement of educational quality. The position is diverse, encompassing theoretical research, practical implementation, and impact analysis. You’ll collaborate with teachers, managers, HR departments, and policymakers in a dynamic environment. As part of an inspiring team, you’ll work on a project with both national and international relevance. And last but not least, there are ample opportunities to publish your work in both academic journals and practitioner-focused outlets.

**What you bring**
We are seeking a highly motivated, independent researcher with a passion for teacher development and educational quality. You should have experience with research within social sciences, with a strong interest in both theoretical and practical innovation in higher education. You are analytically strong, detail-oriented, and proactive, with excellent communication skills and the ability to convey complex research findings to diverse audiences.
- Academic background: a completed PhD in education, pedagogy, social sciences, or a related field. Experience in teaching, teacher development, or educational innovation is a plus.
- Research skills: experience with mixed-methods research (quantitative: ANOVA, regression; qualitative: interviews, thematic analysis).
- Project & stakeholder management: ability to independently and proactively manage research projects. Socially skilled in collaborating with various professional groups and stakeholders.
- Communication & publications: strong writing skills for scientific, policy, and accessible articles. Experience in science communication and presenting research findings at conferences.
- Language Proficiency: Fluent in both Dutch and English.

**Where will you work**
The Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences consists of five institutes: Centre for Science and Technology Studies, Education and Child Studies, Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology, Political Science, and Psychology. The faculty has approximately 7000 students and 1000 staff members. Within the institutes, not only education is provided but also groundbreaking research is conducted that pushes the boundaries of our understanding of human behaviour and societal structures. What makes our faculty unique is the diver