Data Steward

Are you interested in research practices and the broader field of privacy and data? Would you like to help researchers understand and incorporate the best and most up-to-date research practices in research data management? And do you have an affinity with Communication Research? Then look no further, as The Amsterdam School of Communication Research (ASCoR) at the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences is seeking a Data Steward.

Join Us! We are looking for someone with good knowledge of and enthusiasm for research data management and the broader field of privacy and data management. Someone with a passion for supporting scientific staff, and affinity with the field of Communication Science.

What are you going to do As a Data Steward, you advise researchers on research data management, including how to collect, store, and securely share research data. In doing so, you are in close contact with the university’s legal department and the Information Privacy/Security team to discuss the judicial and data privacy/security aspects of certain research projects and collaborations. You also work together with another ASCoR Data Steward colleague, and the Data Stewards of the other research domains within the Faculty and the institute’s Ethical Review Board. You will also provide trainings for researchers on data management and privacy.

You are the first point of contact for researchers for all questions regarding research data management, including the storage and sharing of research data, privacy and information security matters.

• You will support researchers in the data management of their research projects. This includes helping them draw up data management plans in accordance with institutional protocols and European laws and regulations (e.g., GDPR). Additionally, you will assist researchers in drafting legal agreements for collaborations and data sharing.
• You will support making research data publishable (where possible and desired) in accordance with FAIR principles and Open Science principles. You will provide information about the GDPR and research data management within the Communication Science department. Moreover, if needed, you will offer consultancy in relation to research data management in an educational setting.
• You will contribute to the development of policy in the field of research data management and stimulate and monitor the implementation of these policies within ASCoR. Evaluating the risks of research projects using tools such as DPIA risk analysis and advising on measures to mitigate existing risks will be part of your role.
• You will review research projects submitted to the Research Management Services Portal and support ASCoR’s research manager and scientific director with other research management-related tasks. Among these tasks, you will provide support to ASCoR’s Ethics Review Board (ERB) as needed. This includes supporting the ERB Chair with organizing quarterly ERB meetings, and helping to review research collaborations with external partners.

University graduate, * Interest in supporting researchers; interest in scientific research and the research process, and in particular in issues such as FAIR data and privacy;

• Affinity with the field of research data management and privacy;
• Excellent communication skills in English, and proficiency in Dutch is a plus;
• Excellent teamwork skills;
• Excellent and demonstrable administrative and organizational skills;
• A proactive attitude and the ability to work independently;
• A degree in Communication Science (/a related field), or a law degree.

You are:

• Interested in learning about institute-wide research projects and solving the accompanying challenges;
• Organized, flexible, and with attention to detail;
• Able to work independently, and you have a pro-active attitude;
• A team player who is good in working with a variety of people from different fields.

The position concerns employment of 30,4 to 38 hours per week (4-5 days). The initial employment is for one year. Following a positive assessment and barring altered circumstances, you will be offered a permanent contract. We will put together a curriculum which will also include the opportunity to attend training courses. For this position the University Job Classification profile Data Steward 3 applies (scale 10 as per the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities. The preferred start date is November 1, 2026.

We offer an extensive package of secondary benefits, including 8% holiday allowance and a year-end bonus of 8.3%. The UvA offers excellent possibilities for further professional development and education.

We additionally offer:

• A position in which initiative and input are highly valued
• An enthusiastic and warm team that is open to new colleagues
• An inspiring academic and international working environment in the heart of Amsterdam.