Lecturer 4 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: August 31, 2026);
• 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.

The first round of interviews will be held on Monday 8th, Wednesday 10th, Monday 15th, and Wednesday 17th of June 2026. 

This is a one-time temporary appointment from August 17, 2026, to February 27, 2027. We require full availability for the entire contract period, except for two weeks of Christmas vacation. In the last two weeks of February 2027, the remaining vacation hours can be taken.

 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 € 3.546,00 (Scale 10) and maximum € 5.538,00 (Scale 10) gross per month, on a full-time basis. This is based on UFO profile Teacher 4. The exact salary depends on your education and experience.
• a position for 0.8 FTE. Your employment contract will be for 6,5 months.   

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
• a wide range of sports facilities which staff may use at a modest charge
• contribution to commuting expenses
• discount on (and occasionally exclusive access to) theater performances and courses at the Griffioen Cultural Center

At the Athena Institute, we are dedicated to making research, innovation, and policy more responsive to societal needs.

Bridging the gap between science, policy, practice, and society requires moving beyond the confines of the academic world. To achieve this, we take a transdisciplinary approach, defined by multi-actor engagement to collaboratively address the persistent, multi-faceted societal challenges of our time. 

Our research and education takes place at the interface of science, technology, and society, where diverse perspectives come together. We develop inclusive and reflexive methodologies that invite collaborations across disciplines, sectors, and societal groups. These approaches are designed to foster mutual learning, challenge assumptions, and build trust - laying the foundations for systemic and transformational change. 

Faculty of Science
Working at the Faculty of Science means collaborating with students, lecturers and researchers who are focused on their field, yet have a broad view of the world. We are proud of a positive and inclusive workplace culture within the faculty, where we work together with great energy and a pragmatic attitude to tackle social challenges. At the Faculty of Science, scientists and students work on fundamental and complex societal issues for a sustainable, healthy and just future.

From forest fires to big data, from obesity to malnutrition, from helium to the universe and from genetics to medicine: our education and research cover the full breadth of science, from molecules to mankind. Our academic education and research are highly experimental, technical and interdisciplinary in nature. That is why we collaborate extensively with leading scientific institutes and industry. The faculty has more than 8,000 students studying in one of the 39 programms and employs more than 1,400 staff across 10 scientific departments, making us one of the largest science faculties in the Netherlands.

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.