Postdoc in Population-Scale Network Science

over time due to social and demographic dynamics and how this evolution relates to broader societal phenomena. The postdoc will help bridge methodological advances in network science with substantive social science questions applied to unique population-scale data.

Within this broad scope of topics, there is ample space for the postdoc to pursue a direction that fits both the candidate and the broader aims of the group.

About the underlying funding and project

Macroscope is a national research infrastructure funded by the Dutch Science Foundation (NWO) to study complex societal dynamics at an unprecedented scale. Building on existing infrastructures from, e.g., ODISSEI, the project centers around the analysis of population-scale datasets with advanced computational tools. By bringing together data, models, and computing resources, Macroscope aims to make it possible to analyse large-scale social processes across time and across multiple types of data. The postdoc position is specifically about developing graph analytical methods for analyzing population-scale social networks.

Embedding

The postdoc will be employed at the Leiden Institute of Advanced Computer Science (LIACS), which is the computer science and AI institute of the Faculty of Science of Leiden University. More in particular, the candidate will become part of 1) the interdisciplinary inter-university PLANET-NL initiative, which is a collaboration of the University of Amsterdam and Leiden University rooted in computational social science and network science, and 2) the Leiden Network Science group.

Both the research groups and the institute are highly international and feature a mix of disciplinal and cultural backgrounds. There are plenty of additional opportunities for other types of interaction and collaboration, for example at the Faculty of Science through the Leiden Complex Networks Network (LCN2) and nationally through the Dutch Network Science Society. The candidate will be asked to engage in (limited) BSc, MSc and PhD student (co-) supervision on topics related to data science and network science, as well as minor roles in scientific organizational activities.

What you will do

• Conducting research in the area of network science;
• Producing high-quality publications based on the research conducted within the project;
• Engaging in collaborative research as a member of the PLANET-NL inter-university research group;
• Membership of and engagement with the Leiden Network Science research group;
• Co-supervising BSc, MSc and PhD students on topics related to data science and network science;
• Engaging in minor scientific organizational organizing activities.

Where you will work

The Faculty of Science is a world-class faculty where staff and students work together in a dynamic international environment. Our people are driven by curiosity to expand fundamental knowledge and to look beyond the borders of their own discipline. The research carried out at the Faculty of Science is diverse, ranging from mathematics, artificial intelligence, computer science, astronomy, physics, chemistry and bio-pharmaceutical sciences to biology and environmental sciences.

The faculty is home to more than 2,700 staff members and over 6,000 students enrolled in nine bachelor's and fifteen master's programs. We are located at the heart of the Bio Science Park, one of Europe's largest science parks, where academia and industry come together.

You will be part of the Leiden Institute of Advanced Computer Science (LIACS). LIACS offers the bachelor's programs in Computer Science and Data Science/Artificial Intelligence, as well as master's programs in Computer Science, ICT in Business and the Public Sector, Media Technology, and Science Based Business. According to an independent research assessment, LIACS is one of the leading computer science departments in the Netherlands. We strive for excellence in a supportive institute where academic achievement, enjoyment, and diversity go hand in hand. We offer a clear and welcoming career path for young and talented scientists with the ambition to grow. For more information about LIACS, visit our website: http://www.cs.leiden.edu

What you bring

• A PhD* in computer science or a related field (e.g., mathematics, physics or computational social science), with a track record in network science (or complex networks / social network analysis);
• Excellent writing skills and proficiency of the English language, demonstrated through published first author papers in respected and relevant conference proceedings or journals;
• Affinity with bridging methodological advances in network science with substantive social science questions applied to unique population-scale data;
• Interdisciplinary mindset to successfully collaborate across disciplines;
• Experience with programming in Python, or otherwise in R and/or C++;
• Able to work independently, in a team, and in a student (co-)supervisory role;
• An academic, creative and curious mindset.

*: excellent candidates not (yet) past the PhD phase, but with graduation in early Spring 2027 in sight, are also invited to apply.

What we offer

• An employment contract for the duration of initially one year. After a positive evaluation of the progress of the research, personal capabilities and compatibility, the appointment will be extended by a further two years. This contract falls under the CLA of Dutch Universities;
• A salary between € 3.706,= and € 5.760,= gross per month, based on a full-time appointment (38 hours, Payscale 10)
• A holiday allowance (8%), an end-of-year bonus (8,3%), and an attractive pension scheme at ABP;
• Full reimbursement of public transport commuting costs for home-to-work travel;
• Flexible working hours: as a standard, you are entitled to a minimum of 29 leave days on the basis of a full-time working week of 38 hours; you can also save for extra leave, for example by working 40 hours a week, and in this way accrue an extra 96 leave hours, or exchange 96 leave hours for a 36-hour week.
• Lots of options when it comes to secondary employment conditions; we can, for example, discuss options for a sabbatical or paid parental leave. Within our terms of employment individual choices model, you can exchange leave days and/or salary for benefits such as an advantageous sports subscription and bicycle scheme;
• If your work allows it, hybrid working is possible within the Netherlands;
• A home-working allowance (day and internet allowance) and attention for good workplaces. The University will also provide you with a laptop.

What we value

Promoting an inclusive community is central to Leiden University's values and vision. We strive to be an open community in which all students and staff members feel valued and respected, and are able to fully develop themselves. We consider an inclusive academic environment, where students and staff can share their experiences and viewpoints, to be essential for the development of talent.

Want to apply or find out more?

Information
Enquiries regarding the position itself can be made to Prof.dr. Frank Takes (f.w.takes@liacs.leidenuniv.nl). If you want more information about the procedure you can sent an email to (jobs@liacs.leidenuniv.nl)

Applications
You can apply online via the blue button in the vacancy.

Please ensure that you attach the following additional documents:

• A short cover letter of at most 1 to 2 pages including:
  • your motivation to apply for the position,
  • one or two paragraphs about what direction of research you wish to pursue in this postdoc, and
  • why that research would fit with this position.
• An academic CV including a working Google Scholar profile URL;
• A recent writing example (typically a paper) that you are proud of and reflects your academic writing skills;
• Names and contact details of at least two people that can be contacted for reference (they should only have agreed to be contacted; there is no need to send letters).

Promising applicants may be contacted for exploratory conversations before the closing date. Application( letter)s written solely using AI, for example reflected through mere hollow sentences, will not be considered.

The earliest possible starting date is January 1, 2027. For candidates who require VISA, this date may shift by the duration of the VISA application procedure applicable to their country of origin.

The deadline for applications is November 12, 2026. The first round of interviews is on November 23 between 9:00 and 17:00 Netherlands time.

If applicable, the second round of interviews is likely on December 7.

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