Junior Lecturer Connecting Science & Society (6,5 months)

• You have an MSc, preferably in Management Policy Analysis and Entrepreneurship in the Health and Life Sciences, Global Health, Major Science in Society/Science Communication, or International Public Health of the Master Health Sciences or Biomedical Sciences, with excellent results during your studies (GPA >7.5), especially in internships and thesis research (latest graduation date: 31-08-2025).
• Preferably, you have experience in qualitative and participatory research methods.
• You write and speak fluent English.
• You are a flexible team player open to transdisciplinary research and capable of supporting education, both in practical organization and in the substantive guidance of working groups and assignments.

The ideal candidate has a broad interest in complex issues surrounding care, well-being, and sustainability and finds it inspiring to reflect academically on these topics.

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.

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 € 3.378,00 (Scale 10-0) gross per month, based on a full-time appointment of 38 hours per week. This is based on UFO profile Teacher 4. Due to uniform grading, this salary is non-negotiable.
• A position for at least 0.8 FTE. Your employment contract will last 6,5 months.
• This is a one-time temporary appointment from August 18, 2025, to February 28, 2026. We require full availability for the entire contract period, except for one to two weeks of Christmas vacation. In the last three weeks of February 2026, the remaining vacation hours can be taken.   

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. For part-timers, this is calculated pro rata.
• 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus
• solid pension scheme (ABP)
• contribution to commuting expenses
• a wide range of sports facilities which staff may use at a modest charge

Athena Institute
The Athena Institute is dedicated to making research and innovation more responsive to societal needs. To achieve this, we take a transdisciplinary approach, defined by multi-actor engagement. We bring together researchers, policymakers, practitioners and citizens to collaboratively address persistent, multi-faceted societal problems.

Faculty of Science
Researchers and students at VU Amsterdam’s Faculty of Science tackle fundamental and complex scientific problems to help pave the way for a sustainable and healthy future. From forest fires to big data, from obesity to malnutrition, and from molecules to the moon: we cover the full spectrum of the natural sciences. Our teaching and research have a strong experimentally technical, computational and interdisciplinary nature.

We work on new solutions guided by value-driven, interdisciplinary methodologies. We are committed to research, valorisation and training socially engaged citizens of the world who will make valuable contributions to a sustainable, healthy future.

Are you interested in joining the Faculty of Science? You will join undergraduate students, PhD candidates and researchers at the biggest sciences faculty in the Netherlands. You will combine a professional focus with a broad view of the world. We are proud of our collegial working climate, characterised by committed staff, a pragmatic attitude and engagement in the larger whole. The faculty is home to over 11,000 students enrolled in 40 study programmes. It employs over 1,600 professionals spread across 10 academic departments.

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. Learn more about our codes of conduct

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.