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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Postdoc in Population-Scale Network Science (1.0 FTE, 3 years) - **Company:** Universiteit Leiden - **Location:** Leiden, Netherlands (Remote available) - **Salary:** €3,706.0 - **Contract:** Temporary contract - **Skills:** Artificial Intelligence, C++ (Programming Language), Encodings, Complex Networks, Python (Programming Language), Social Network Analysis, Information Technology - **Published:** October 22, 2026 - **Apply:** https://www.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=97c2cf6cf30c255a ## About the Role * 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. ## Description About this postdoc . In this postdoc position, the focus is on devising new network science approaches for analyzing longitudinal, population-scale social network data on the Dutch population data, sourced from Statistics Netherlands. Such data presents distinctive methodological challenges: their scale and temporal character require new metrics, fast algorithms, and careful tailoring of commonly used network measures and algorithms. The aim is to advance our understanding of how social network structures change 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, o one or two paragraphs about what direction of research you wish to pursue in this postdoc, and o 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.