19 July 2024

Research Assistant (8-10 hours per week, Semester 1 2024-2025)

We are looking for a Masters or late-Bachelor student from Leiden University to conduct a systematic (scoping) review about the best practices for teaching higher education students (from Bachelor to PhD level) how to engage with complex, or “wicked”, interdisciplinary challenges.

What you will do

Your tasks will include:

• Refining and developing the systematic review methodology, based on the draft provided by the supervising team;
• Conducting the review: collecting the relevant sources, extracting the relevant information, and analyzing and presenting it in the form of a presentation and a report;
• Collaborating with the KIEM team to organise working group meetings and collect expert input on the findings, with the goal of refining the findings and identifying ways forward to implement the best practices from the review.

Where you will work? 

The project is a collaboration between researchers and educators from different parts of Leiden University, including Leiden University College and the African Studies Centre. It is funded by the KIEM funds and has the objectives of (i) identifying best practices in teaching wicked problems and (ii) bringing together a working group of experts (from Leiden, other LDE universities, and African partner organisations) to translate the findings of the review into educational initiatives.

Your position will be based at the Leiden University College and you will be supervised by the core KIEM team: David Ehrhardt, Caroline Archambault, Marleen Dekker, Madi Ditmars, and Maaike Westra.

What you bring

In this position, we are looking for someone who can work independently and who is excited about doing research. Every job is different, so in the beginning we will devote attention to your onboarding. If some of the work activities are new to you, we will look together at what you need, and draw up a project plan. This position is a good fit for you if you recognise yourself in the following:

• Registered as a student of Leiden University
• University- and working-level thinking, with experience in and affinity for academic work and learning environments
• Preferably prior experience in a research project (e.g. a thesis);
• Team player focused on collaboration, able to work with multiple stakeholders;
• You have good oral and written command of the English language (minimum B2 according to the CEFR).

If you immediately recognise yourself in this profile, or if do you not quite meet all the requirements, but you believe that this is the right job for you, we look forward to your application!

What we offer

Our goal is to work together to create a transparent and inclusive work environment in which everyone feels welcome and appreciated. Our project is evolving and we need your ideas for improvement and innovation to take us further. We want to devote attention to your personal development and offer the opportunity to:

• Grow personally and professionally by participating in a research team;
• Work with experts in the field of education of wicked problems;
• Work in a multi-disciplinary team with a friendly work environment.
• An employment contract for the duration of 4 months (8-10 hours per week), starting ideally on 2 September 2024. The contract may be extended into Semester 2, if that is needed and feasible.
• This contract falls under the CLA of Dutch Universities at the student assistant salary, scale commensurate on experience (SA2/SA3/SA4).

What we find important

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. For more information, check this link.

Possible connection to thesis research

For final-year Bachelors or Masters students interested in writing their thesis on a subject related to wicked problem education, this position offers a great opportunity to connect their thesis project to the review conducted as part of this project. There are many ways in which this review could generate fascinating thesis research, such as a field study in The Netherlands or at one of our African partner universities focused on real-world education for wicked problems. If you are possibly interested in connecting your thesis to this project, please note this in your application letter.

Want to apply or find out more?

If you would like more information about what the job entails, please contact David Ehrhardt (Associate Professor at Leiden University College) at d.w.l.ehrhardt@luc.leidenuniv.nl. The deadline for application is 7 August 2024 (23.59hrs) and you will be notified of the result latest by 21 August.