Eurograd message

                Dear colleagues,

We are looking for a PhD candidate for a project at CWTS, Leiden University
that seeks to study shifts in research evaluation but also contributes to
making these shifts happen. If you know of someone that seeks to do a
qualitative or mixed-method study, is intrigued by bibliometric indicators and
interested to actively shape new forms of research evaluation through
consultancy projects please urge them to get in touch with us and apply!

All the best,
Thomas Franssen


PhD candidate in Social Studies of Science with a focus on research evaluation
(1,00 FTE)

Project Description

Over the past decade, debate has intensified on how research is being funded,
practiced, and evaluated. Some of the most visible initiatives include the San
Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), The Leiden Manifesto for
research metrics and The Metric Tide, which have all critically reflected on
the role of metrics in evaluation frameworks. As attention is shifting toward
designing and implementing a richer pallet of approaches to assessment, a
careful analysis of what works and what does not becomes all the more
important.
This project studies how this policy shift is translated into organizational
practice and how universities develop new evaluation frameworks in two
universities (Leiden University and the University of Edinburgh). This
research will be undertaken in part by actively contributing to the
development of new approaches in various consultancy projects within CWTS B.V.
CWTS B.V. is an independent contract research organisation that provides
high-quality research performance and evaluation studies. Leiden University's
Centre for Science and Technology Studies forms the core of the company. The
project thus includes theorical analyses and reflections, as well as
development and testing of novel approaches.

Key Responsibilities and supervision team

The primary task of the PhD candidate will be to study the development of new
evaluative frameworks at Leiden University and the University of Edinburgh and
to participate in consultancy projects in which CWTS B.V. contributes to
(self-)evaluation processes. The latter includes the collaborative development
of new evaluative techniques in line with the new evaluative inquiry approach
which incorporates quantitative techniques such as Area-Based Connectedness.

The project is part of a strategic partnership between the Universities of
Edinburgh and Leiden. The aim is to foster collaboration and to build on
existing synergies. The PhD candidate will therefore have a supervisory team
with members from each organisation, including Thomas Franssen, Sarah de
Rijcke, Niki Vermeulen and Andrew Millar.


Selection criteria

  *   a Master degree in Science and Technology Studies, Sociology,
Organization Studies, Political Science, Public Administration, Anthropology,
or a related field;
  *   a strong interest in the use of and reflection on quantitative
(scientometric) and qualitative methods;
  *   a strong interest in application and intervention through research;
  *   strong analytical capacity;
  *   willingness and proven ability to do empirical research independently;
  *   ability to work in teams;
  *   willingness to travel and do fieldwork abroad (once restrictions have
lifted);
  *   fluency in spoken English and excellent writing skills in English.
Knowledge of the Dutch language is an advantage.
Our organisation
The Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences comprises five institutes:
Education and Child Studies, Political Science, Psychology and Cultural
Anthropology & Development Sociology, and the Centre for Science and
Technology Studies. The Faculty is home to 5,000 students and 600 members of
staff. Our teaching and research programmes cover diverse topics varying from
adoption to political behaviour. For more information, see
https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/social-behavioural-sciences.

The Centre for Science and Technology Studies (CWTS) is an interdisciplinary
research institute that studies scientific research and its connections to
technology, innovation, and society. As a leading research, consulting, and
training center, CWTS is dedicated to increasing our understanding of
scientific quality, societal impact, and other related concepts. CWTS studies
the conditions and consequences of research evaluation for the generation of
new knowledge, and the role of research in innovation processes. Special
attention is paid to the value of bibliometric and scientometric tools to
support the evaluation and management of scientific research. On the basis of
its research, CWTS wishes to contribute to the debates about the role of
science in society. Research at CWTS is organized in three research groups:
Quantitative Science Studies (QSS), Science, Technology, and Innovation
Studies (STIS), and Science and Evaluation Studies (SES).

The SES research group analyses the politics and practices of research
governance, and does systematic empirical research on how formal and informal
governance practices (including evaluation) are re-shaping academic knowledge
production. The group takes as a starting point that evaluation processes have
constitutive potential - they shape those knowledge practices that are claimed
to be simply assessed or measured. A crucial societal mission of the group
is to contribute to shaping contemporary debates on responsible research
governance, evaluation and metrics uses (including policy implications). The
research focus of the SES group is part of the research mission of the CWTS,
which can be found here:
https://www.cwts.nl/research/cwts-research-program-2017-2022


Information
For information about the positions and the project please contact Thomas
Franssen by e-mail at
t.p.franssen@cwts.leidenuniv.nl

Applications
Applicants should submit online a letter of interest accompanied by a CV. The
vacancy and application button can be found here:
https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/vacancies/2021/q2/21-167-8703-phd-candid
ate-in-social-studies-of-science-with-a-focus-on-research-evaluation


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