PhD Position: Improving Research Quality through Research Culture

Reliable and reproducible research is essential for scientific progress. In practice, however, reproducibility is far from guaranteed. Within the European CATALYST project, researchers across Europe work together on a central question: how can we strengthen research culture so that reproducible research becomes standard practice?

As a PhD candidate, you will investigate how reproducibility practices — such as open data, preregistration, and open methods — are adopted and embedded within academic departments. You will study how research environments influence scientific behaviour and how departments can create a culture in which reproducible research is seen as a natural part of high-quality science.

You will collaborate closely with researchers, departments, and international experts in reproducibility, open science, and research integrity. As an early career researcher, your perspective and ideas will play an active role in shaping the project.

CATALYST is a Horizon Europe project with a duration of 3.5 years and includes partners such as the University of Coimbra, KNOW Center Graz, and the University of Bristol. The project is coordinated by Amsterdam UMC and combines quantitative and qualitative research with practical implementation at the departmental level. More information about the CATALYST project can be obtained from Joeri Tijdink or Rita Santos.

Would you like to know more about the different phases within the PhD trajectory? You can read more about this on this page.

As a PhD candidate, you will conduct research within the CATALYST project under the supervision of Joeri Tijdink. You will contribute to both the scientific and practical goals of the consortium and collaborate closely with European partners.

Your work includes:

• mapping and evaluating interventions that may strengthen reproducibility culture within research departments;
• developing and applying tools to measure reproducibility practices within research groups;
• implementing and evaluating departmental interventions aimed at cultural change;
• collaborating with international project partners and participating in meetings, workshops, and conferences;
• writing scientific publications and contributing to project deliverables.

There is ample room for your own ideas and initiative. We value critical thinking, curiosity, and personal development, and aim to provide a supportive environment in which you can grow as a researcher.

We are looking for a curious and motivated researcher who enjoys interdisciplinary collaboration and wants to contribute to improving scientific practice.

You have:

• a completed master’s degree in a relevant field, such as health sciences, psychology, science studies, medicine, or a related discipline;
• demonstrable affinity with open science, reproducible research, or research integrity;
• experience with, or willingness to work with, both quantitative and qualitative research methods;
• strong communication skills and an excellent command of English, both written and spoken;
• an independent, proactive, and reflective working style.

While the working language of the project is English, candidates with some Dutch language skills are preferred.