Postdoctoral Researcher (24 months, 0.8 FTE)

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.

Are you passionate about enhancing the professional growth of higher education teachers? And are you looking for an exciting opportunity to guide the further development and implementation of the Reflection Instrument for Teaching Expertise (RIDE)? Then apply now!

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, 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.

The successful candidate has:

• 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 diversity of research topics, the various styles of teaching, and the way professional support is organized; this provides you with the opportunity to explore and develop your interests and expertise.

What we offer
You can expect an enjoyable job within the relevant world of education and research. The University's inspiring and international work environment is located just steps away from Leiden’s lively city centre or the bustling city centre of The Hague. We also want to work with you to devote attention to your health and vitality, for example with the fun activities we organise through Healthy University.

We also offer:

• A temporary contract for 24 months, starting with one year and extendable for another 14 months based on performance.
• The preferred starting date is approximately September 2025.
• A salary between € 4,537 and € 6,209 gross per month, based on a full-time position (38 hours), in accordance with the collective labor agreement of Dutch universities (scale 11).
• A holiday allowance (8%), an end-of-year bonus (8,3%), and an attractive pension scheme at ABP;
• Flexible working hours: as a standard, you are entitled to a minimum of 29 leave days on the basis of a full-time working week of 38 hours; you can also save for extra leave, for example by working 40 hours a week, and in this way accrue an extra 96 leave hours, or exchange 96 leave hours for a 36-hour week.
• Lots of options when it comes to secondary employment conditions; we can, for example, discuss options for a sabbatical or paid parental leave. Within our terms of employment individual choices model, you can exchange leave days and/or salary for benefits such as an advantageous sports subscription or bicycle scheme, and we also offer child-care options;
• If your work allows it, hybrid working is possible within the Netherlands;
• A home-working allowance (day and internet allowance) and attention for good workplaces. The University will also provide you with a laptop and a mobile telephone (if applicable for the position).

What we value
Promoting an inclusive community is central to Leiden University’s values and vision. Leiden University aims to be an inclusive community in which all students and staff members feel valued and respected, and are able to develop to their full potential. Diversity in experiences and perspectives enriches our teaching and strengthens our research. High-quality education and research means inclusive education and research.

Would you first like more information about the content of this position? Please contact dr. Kristiaan van der Heijden, at kbheijden@fsw.leidenuniv.nl