Postdoc Bias Revisited

Have you (almost) obtained a PhD in the social sciences and are you enthusiastic about rigorous quantitative and experimental research? Then apply for a postdoctoral position on an NWO-funded replication project at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.

Your function

The Department of Communication Science at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is seeking a postdoctoral researcher (0.5 FTE) for a period of three years*. 

As a researcher, you will be part of the Biased Information Processing Lab. You will work on the NWO-funded project “Bias Revisited: Replicating Information Bias Theories in Three European Media Systems”, awarded within the Replication Studies program of the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO) (https://www.openscience.nl/).

This project focuses on replicating three classic, influential studies on biased information processing. The project includes nine large-scale online experiments. A detailed project description is available upon request; please contact Martin Tanis ([email protected]).

What makes this position unique is that you will be the central coordinator of this international replication project. You will work closely with the core team in Amsterdam as well as satellite teams in the UK and Spain. You will be given substantial independence in both the substantive and organizational implementation of the project.

*In addition to the research appointment (0.5 FTE), it is possible to extend the position by up to 0.3 FTE as a lecturer within the Department of Communication Science. For this extension we strongly prefer candidates who are proficient in Dutch at a level that enables them to teach in the language. 

Your duties

  • Initiating and maintaining an international research network.
  • Designing, programming, and conducting large-scale online experiments.
  • Coordinating data collection in three countries.
  • Data analysis.
  • Publishing results in international journals.
  • Presenting at scientific conferences.
  • If extended by 0.3 FTE teaching: teaching and/or supporting courses within the Communication Science program at VU.

Your profile

We are looking for a candidate with:

  • a completed PhD in the social sciences, with demonstrated affinity for quantitative and experimental research;
  • strong methodological and analytical skills, and a proven track record in writing and publishing academic articles;
  • experience in independently designing, coordinating, and conducting research projects; affinity with organizing international collaboration is an advantage;
  • excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and the ability to collaborate effectively within an interdisciplinary core team in the Netherlands and with international partners across Europe;
  • if extended by 0.3 FTE teaching: proficiency in Dutch at C1 level.

What do we offer?

A challenging position in a socially involved organization.

  • 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 Researcher 4. The exact salary depends on your education and experience.
  • A position for at least 0.5 FTE. Your employment contract will last 3 years.   

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.
  • Optional model for designing a personalized benefits package.
  • Solid pension scheme (ABP).
  • Contribution to commuting expenses.

About us

Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities

A better understanding of ourselves and social communities, values and meaning, through social sciences and humanities. That is the aim of The Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities. No single discipline can do this alone. The SSH disciplines are characterised by an open way of thinking and the natural urge to seek coherence and connection.

The faculty consists of nine academic departments within three schools: School of Religion & Theology (SRT), School of Social Sciences (SSc) and School of Humanities (SH).

Are you interested in joining Social Sciences and Humanities? You become part of a dynamic academic community with approximately 900 staff members, over 5,000 regular students and more than 5,000 course participants. In an inspiring and collegial environment, we work together on education and research with impact.

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.

Interested

Are you interested in this position? Then we encourage you to submit your application before Wednesday March 18th. Please indicate in your letter whether you would also be interested in extending the role with the 0.3 FTE teaching. 

Interviews are planned in the week of April 6th.

The intended start date is June 1st, 2026.

Applications received by e-mail will not be considered.

Acquisition in response to this advertisement is not appreciated.

Your function

The Department of Communication Science at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is seeking a postdoctoral researcher (0.5 FTE) for a period of three years*. 

As a researcher, you will be part of the Biased Information Processing Lab. You will work on the NWO-funded project “Bias Revisited: Replicating Information Bias Theories in Three European Media Systems”, awarded within the Replication Studies program of the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO) (https://www.openscience.nl/).

This project focuses on replicating three classic, influential studies on biased information processing. The project includes nine large-scale online experiments. A detailed project description is available upon request; please contact Martin Tanis ([email protected]).

What makes this position unique is that you will be the central coordinator of this international replication project. You will work closely with the core team in Amsterdam as well as satellite teams in the UK and Spain. You will be given substantial independence in both the substantive and organizational implementation of the project.

*In addition to the research appointment (0.5 FTE), it is possible to extend the position by up to 0.3 FTE as a lecturer within the Department of Communication Science. For this extension we strongly prefer candidates who are proficient in Dutch at a level that enables them to teach in the language. 

Your duties

  • Initiating and maintaining an international research network.
  • Designing, programming, and conducting large-scale online experiments.
  • Coordinating data collection in three countries.
  • Data analysis.
  • Publishing results in international journals.
  • Presenting at scientific conferences.
  • If extended by 0.3 FTE teaching: teaching and/or supporting courses within the Communication Science program at VU.

Your profile

We are looking for a candidate with:

  • a completed PhD in the social sciences, with demonstrated affinity for quantitative and experimental research;
  • strong methodological and analytical skills, and a proven track record in writing and publishing academic articles;
  • experience in independently designing, coordinating, and conducting research projects; affinity with organizing international collaboration is an advantage;
  • excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and the ability to collaborate effectively within an interdisciplinary core team in the Netherlands and with international partners across Europe;
  • if extended by 0.3 FTE teaching: proficiency in Dutch at C1 level.

What do we offer?

A challenging position in a socially involved organization.

  • 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 Researcher 4. The exact salary depends on your education and experience.
  • A position for at least 0.5 FTE. Your employment contract will last 3 years.   

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.
  • Optional model for designing a personalized benefits package.
  • Solid pension scheme (ABP).
  • Contribution to commuting expenses.

About us

Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities

A better understanding of ourselves and social communities, values and meaning, through social sciences and humanities. That is the aim of The Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities. No single discipline can do this alone. The SSH disciplines are characterised by an open way of thinking and the natural urge to seek coherence and connection.

The faculty consists of nine academic departments within three schools: School of Religion & Theology (SRT), School of Social Sciences (SSc) and School of Humanities (SH).

Are you interested in joining Social Sciences and Humanities? You become part of a dynamic academic community with approximately 900 staff members, over 5,000 regular students and more than 5,000 course participants. In an inspiring and collegial environment, we work together on education and research with impact.

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.

Questions about the vacancy?

Please contact

Martin Tanis

Associate Professor
+31 (0)20 598 6854 (secretariat)

Interested

Are you interested in this position? Then we encourage you to submit your application before Wednesday March 18th. Please indicate in your letter whether you would also be interested in extending the role with the 0.3 FTE teaching. 

Interviews are planned in the week of April 6th.

The intended start date is June 1st, 2026.

Applications received by e-mail will not be considered.

Acquisition in response to this advertisement is not appreciated.

Questions about the vacancy?

Please contact

Martin Tanis

Associate Professor
+31 (0)20 598 6854 (secretariat)

Application procedure

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