Postdoctoral Researcher Position Evaluating Science Impact and Research Culture

Postdoctoral Researcher Position on Evaluating Open Science Impact and Research Culture Change

Applying is possible up to and including: 18 juni 2026

Open science initiatives receive significant public investment promising enhanced transparency, collaboration, and accessibility. Yet understanding of whether these programs deliver their promised cultural and social outcomes remains limited. At CWTS/Leiden University we are seeking a postdoctoral researcher to lead a two‑year innovative research project examining how open science contributes to research culture change through values mapping and impact pathway analysis. The project, entitled ‘Mapping the Value of Open Science:
Developing an Evaluation Framework for Research Culture Change’, is funded by the Dutch Research Council (NWO) under its OS‑NL Research on Open Science funding instrument.

The purpose of this position is to conduct original research developing theoretical and empirical insights into open science’s contributions to research culture transformations.

The research will entail:

• Conducting three in‑depth case studies of open science programs in the Netherlands, examining how articulated values translate into practice and tracing pathways from interventions to culture change outcomes.
• Leading comprehensive qualitative research including 25–30 semi‑structured interviews, document analysis, and participant observation to understand value negotiation, impact planning processes, and organisational change dynamics.
• Mapping relationships between stated open science values and observed outcomes, identifying where values‑practice alignments and misalignments occur and what factors enable or constrain value realization.
• Tracing and analysing pathways linking open science activities to outputs, outcomes, and broader cultural transformations.
• Producing research outputs and conference presentations, while engaging with practitioners through workshops and stakeholder validation sessions.

You will work closely with Dr. Alex Rushforth (PI) and Louise Bezuidenhout (senior researcher).

The Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences at Leiden University comprises five institutes: the Centre for Science and Technology Studies, Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology, Education and Child Studies, Political Science, and Psychology. It is home to approximately 7 000 students and 1 000 staff members.

• An interest in theoretically‑informed empirical social science research.
• Fluency in English.
• PhD degree in sociology, science, technology, and innovation studies, organisation studies, information studies, or a related discipline.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Impeccable project and time‑management skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to contribute to an open, safe, and inclusive working environment.
• Commitment to fostering an inclusive environment.
• Willingness to actively engage with the Evaluation and Culture Focal Area, contributing collaboratively to its intellectual community and strategic development.

• Employment contract for 38 hours per week for 24 months under the CLA of Dutch Universities.
• Salary between €4 728 and €6 433 gross per month (Scale 11).
• Holiday allowance (8 %), end‑of‑year bonus (8.3 %), and an attractive pension scheme at ABP.
• Flexible working hours; minimum of 29 leave days for full‑time work; options for additional leave or salary exchange.
• Options for secondary employment conditions, including sabbatical and paid parental leave, and benefits such as sports subscription and bicycle scheme.
• Hybrid working possible within the Netherlands.
• Home‑working allowance, laptop, and mobile phone provided.

Promoting an inclusive community is central to Leiden University’s values and vision. We aim to be an inclusive community where all students and staff feel valued and respected and can develop to their full potential.

For more information, please contact Alex Rushforth, assistant professor, at a.d.rushforthdenuniv.nl. Applications are processed immediately.