Postdoc in Public Administration

Are you a public administration or management scholar? Are you interested in research about the risks of AI use in public administration, and how AI can be used with fairness? Please consider joining Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam!

Jouw functie

The position is offered as a postdoc researcher position (0.8 FTE). This postdoc position is part of the NWA-funded project “Exploring the Promises and Pitfalls of AI Technology in Civil Service Provision (VALUE-AI)”, led by dr. Kristina S. Weißmüller, in collaboration with prof. dr. Gjalt De Graaf and Amsterdam Intelligence, the AI-thinktank of the City Amsterdam.

The overall objective of the project is to gain a deeper understanding of the risk involved in using AI technology in citizen-state interactions. How can we design fair algorithms, and how can we govern AI-related risks?

The position is part of research funded by the NWA Innovation in Routes grant scheme and is funded for a period of 18 months, preferably starting on 1 September 2025.

Jouw profiel

• PhD in Public Administration, Business Ethics, Political Science, Management Studies, Organization Studies or related fields
• Advanced qualitative research skills and preferably experience in conducting expert interviews and fieldwork independently
• Proven track record in publishing in high-quality international peer-reviewed journals
• Willingness to work in a team
• Excellent English and Dutch language skills.

Your duties

• Design and conduct qualitative and synthesizing research on AI risk governance
• Conducting qualitative and/or mixed-methods document analyses in Dutch and English
• Organize and conduct workshops, focus groups, and qualitative interviews with AI experts and public service personnel
• Organize valorization and outreach activities with societal partners
• Contribute to joint publications on the findings of the projects

As a university, we strive for equal opportunities for all, recognising that diversity takes many forms. We believe that diversity in all its complexity is invaluable for the quality of our teaching, research and service. We are always looking for talent with diverse backgrounds and experiences. This also means that we are committed to creating an inclusive community so that we can use diversity as an asset.

We realise that each individual brings a unique set of skills, expertise and mindset. Therefore, we are happy to invite anyone who recognises themselves in the profile to apply, even if you do not meet all the requirements.

Wat bieden wij

A challenging position in a socially engaged organisation. At VU Amsterdam, you contribute to education, research and service for a better world. And that is valuable. So in return for your efforts, we offer you:

• a salary of minimum € 4.537,00 (Scale 11) and maximum € 6.209,00 (Scale 11) gross per month, on a full-time basis. This is based on UFO profile Researcher 3. The exact salary depends on your education and experience.
• a position for 0.8 FTE. Your employment contract will initially last 1 year. Afterwards, the possibility of expansion exists.

We also offer you attractive fringe benefits and regulations. Some examples:

• A full-time 38-hour working week comes with a holiday leave entitlement of 232 hours per year. If you choose to work 40 hours, you have 96 extra holiday leave hours on an annual basis. For part-timers, this is calculated pro rata.
• 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus
• solid pension scheme (ABP)
• discount on (and occasionally exclusive access to) theater performances and courses at the Griffioen Cultural Center

Over ons

Department
You will be employed at the Department of Political Science and Public Administration within the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities. This is a large and diverse department with many multidisciplinary research projects into societally relevant topics.

Faculty of Social Sciences
At the Faculty of Social Sciences we examine the major social issues facing us today from a variety of critical perspectives. We combine sociology, anthropology, political science, communication science, administration and organisation. Because there aren’t any ready-made solutions to the complex social issues of today. They demand a multidisciplinary approach. Working together with others helps you expand your mind, come to new ways of understanding and devise creative solutions.

Are you interested in joining Social Sciences? That means working with a team of colleagues from different disciplines in an inspiring work and study climate. Enjoy working in a professional organisation with an informal atmosphere, where we give you space for personal development. FSS employs over 350 staff members and enrols around 3,000 students.

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam stands for values-driven education and research. We are open-minded experts with the ability to think freely - a broader mind. Maintaining an entrepreneurial perspective and concentrating on diversity, significance and humanity, we work on sustainable solutions with social impact. By joining forces, across the boundaries of disciplines, we work towards a better world for people and planet. Together we create a safe and respectful working and study climate, and an inspiring environment for education and research.

We are located on one physical campus, in the heart of Amsterdam's Zuidas business district, with excellent location and accessibility. Over 6,150 staff work at the VU and over 31,000 students attend academic education.

Diversity
Diversity is the driving force of VU Amsterdam. VU wants to be accessible and receptive to diversity in disciplines, cultures, ideas, nationalities, beliefs, preferences and worldviews. We believe that trust, respect, interest and differences lead to new insights and innovation, to sharpness and clarity, to excellence and a broader understanding.

We stand for an inclusive community and believe that diversity and internationalisation contribute to the quality of education, research and our services.

Therefore, we are always searching for people whose backgrounds and experience contribute to the diversity of the VU community.