Research software and interoperability training lead (0.8 - 1.0 FTE)

Introduction

Would you like to enable excellent research in the Social Sciences and Humanities (including economics and business sciences) by enhancing researchers' software and data skills? Do you believe in the importance of FAIR data and software to reach this goal? Then don’t hesitate to read on and apply!

Engagement and Research Services (ERS) at Erasmus University is looking for a software and interoperability training lead. You will join ERS -- a young and dynamic department within Professional Services at Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR) -- and collaborate with data stewards, faculty liaisons, open science experts, software engineers, and training coordinators from all over EUR to achieve the ambitious goal of making open and responsible scholarship the default way of working.

You will also be part of the EUR Digital Competence Centre (EUR DCC), an inter-departmental initiative, together with Erasmus Digitalisation and Information Services (EDIS) and the University Library, dedicated to helping researchers make research data FAIR, improve research software, and apply computing practices to increase the efficiency of the research process.

Job description

Your main tasks and responsibilities in the areas of interoperability and research software engineering will be the following: 

Program development, coordination and training delivery:

• Develop insight into the training needs and requirements for EUR researchers.
• Develop insight into the existing training offer and development plans within EUR as well as with (inter)national partners.
• Contribute to training development for EUR researchers when needed.
• Coordinate the training offer on all FAIR data and software topics to EUR researchers.
• First-hand training of researchers and their support staff.

Collaboration 

• Sparring partner for representatives of the target audience (e.g., graduate school and PhD coordinators) and other trainers.
• Coordinate training schedules and activities in conjunction with the relevant administrative and service departments.
• Contribute to plans for development and advise project teams and DCC steering team on researchers’ needs and available offer, as well as priorities using your expertise and leveraging your network to find optimal solutions for the researchers’ use-cases.
• Participate actively in sharing and collaboration beyond the institutional boundaries (e.g., with other DCC’s, SURF, National eScience Centre and in LCRDM/RDA-NL).

Job requirements

You recognize yourself in the following description: 

• You have experience in developing research software, preferably in Python or R.
• You have experience in providing training to professionals, preferably in the areas of data management and/or software engineering.
• You have experience with research methodologies and a broad understanding of how data and software engineering underpin high-quality research.
• You effectively and persuasively communicate with people coming from different (academic) backgrounds.
• Your networking skills allow you to build bridges and reduce conflict in order to achieve a common goal.
• You have excellent organisation skills, ensuring the customers receive information and training before agreed deadlines.
• You enjoy presenting in front of an audience and are comfortable taking the lead in groups of training participants or other communities.
• You are able to work independently as well as in a team.
• You master English very well (minimum CEFR-level C1).
• You are proficient in Dutch (minimum CEFR-level B1). If not, you are willing to take Dutch courses to achieve speaking and comprehension proficiency.
• You have an academic background (minimally completed MSc/MA).
• You adhere to the FAIR principles and support their practical implementation.

Recommended (experience in the following would be a bonus): 

• You have work experience in complex organisations, preferably academic institutions.
• You have experience with FAIR data and/or research software.
• You have experience in developing training programs for professionals.

Employment conditions and benefits

We offer an internationally oriented and varied job in an enthusiastic team, with excellent working conditions in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU).

The start date of this position is June 1st, 2025 (or as early as possible) and you will be based at ERS. This position is for 0.8 fte - 1 fte. The salary is dependent on your experience and knowledge and ranges from a minimum of € 3.378 to a maximum of € 5.331 gross per month on a fulltime basis, in accordance with Scale 10 of the CAO-NU. The contract is entered into for a period of 1 year and may be extended to a maximum of 4 years if performance is good and the organizational circumstances remain unchanged.

Everything else we offer you, you can find below!

-        Everything you need for a good work-life balance: the option to work from home in consultation with your manager, 41 days of paid leave with a 40 hour contract, 8% holiday pay and an 8.3% end-of-year bonus, and a significant discount on a subscription for our on-campus sports centre!

-        Sustainable, inclusive and diverse work environment with an open culture, where you can be yourself and we pay attention to each other and to the world around us. Make the most of our bicycle budget, or join networks such as Young@EUR, FAME or QuEUR.

-        Time and space for your development in the broadest sense: development days and a personal career budget and free access to our university library.

-        Good pension with ABP that EUR contributes 2/3rds towards, discounts on various collective insurances with Zilveren Kruis Achmea, Loyalis, and Allianz, and compensation for travel, working from home and home internet use.

-        Are you currently combining your job with parenthood, or do you want to do so in the future? EUR offers partially paid parental leave and fully paid additional birth leave for partners, and our campus features a daycare (daycare not paid for by EUR).

-        Moving to the Netherlands for your job with EUR? Then you may be eligible for the 30%-ruling if you meet the requirements of the Belastingdienst (Dutch tax agency), and with our Dual Career Programme we will also help your partner find the right job for them.

Employer

Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR) is an internationally oriented university with a strong social orientation in its education and research, as expressed in our mission ‘Creating positive societal impact’. EUR is home to 4.100 academics and professionals and almost 33.000 students from more than 140 countries. Everything we do, we do under the credo The Erasmian Way – Making Minds Matter. We’re global citizens, connecting, entrepreneurial, open-minded, and socially involved. These Erasmian Values function as our internal compass and create EUR’s distinctive and recognizable profile. From these values, with a broad perspective and with an eye for diversity, different backgrounds and opinions, our employees work closely together to solve societal challenges from the dynamic and cosmopolitan city of Rotterdam. Thanks to the high quality and positive societal impact of our research and education, EUR can compete with the top European universities. www.eur.nl.

Faculty / Institute / Central service

Engagement & Research Services (ERS) advances excellent research and engagement to maximize positive societal impact. ERS creates conditions for transparent, inclusive, collaborative, and impactful research through strategic and operational expertise. 

We provide pathways for talents to reach their full potential and we advance fruitful collaborations, enabling Erasmus University to be a front runner in embedding excellent research in society. The following areas of support are embedded within ERS: Business Development, Grant Support, Legal Counsels, Open Science, Research Data Management, Ethics Review and Research Intelligence. ERS is a relatively young service department within Erasmus University Rotterdam and is steadily building and extending its service portfolio. ERS provides support to all faculties of Erasmus university Rotterdam (occasionally to Erasmus University Medical Center). 

Department

Within ERS, the Open & Responsible Science team provides professional advice and support to enable the adoption of ORS principles and innovative research practices within EUR.

Additional information

For more information, please contact: Office Engagement and Research Services (office.ers@eur.nl). 

Applying

Please submit your application, consisting of a one-page CV and a one-page motivation letter, no later than Monday March 10th 2025 h. 23:59 CEST.

The selection procedure consists of two rounds of interviews. The first round will take place on March 19th, 2025. The second round will be held on March 24th, 2025.

In case of equal suitability, internal candidates will be preferred.

Unsolicited services or offers from recruitment agencies or intermediaries will not be considered.

We look forward to receiving your application!