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Researcher in Methods and Statistics Specializing in Computerized Adaptive Testing

Updated: 19 Apr 2025

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Research / Academic
Amsterdam

Are you an academic and a programmer with knowledge of different types of computerized adaptive testing (CAT)? Do you want to use your talents to enable researchers to implement their own fixed-length CAT into online survey tools? Then we have the perfect challenge for you!

Working on CAT
You will do research in the Programme Group of Methods and Statistics, at the Department of Child Development and Education, at the University of Amsterdam, where you will conduct psychometric research, including programming in R and writing papers.

What are you going to do
In this role, you will:

  • write computer R code for different types of fixed-length CAT and related techniques, including item response theory-based CAT, latent class-based CAT, multi-stage testing, and stochastic curtailment;
  • investigate the statistical properties of different types of fixed-length CAT and related techniques, and publish the results in a top-tier psychometric journal;
  • assist in the integrating different types of fixed-length CAT into online survey tools. This includes advising on the type of fixed-length CAT that should be implemented and supporting the implementation itself.


What do you have to offer
We are looking for an enthusiastic researcher:

  • with a master’s degree in the behavioural sciences, specialized in psychometrics;
  • with at least two year experience in programming in R;
  • experienced in various types of CAT and related techniques;
  • with strong academic skills, preferably demonstrated by a first-author academic publication on CAT in an English-language journal;
  • who is available to start immediately, given the short duration of the project.


What do we offer you
We offer an fixed-term employment contract for 7.6 hours per week until August 31, 2026. Your salary, depending on relevant experience at the start of employment, ranges from €3,378 to €5,331 gross per month (salary scale 10) based on full-time employment (38 hours per week), excluding an 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% year-end bonus. The Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (Cao Nederlandse Universiteiten) applies.

What else do we offer you

  • A role in which initiative and input are highly valued;
  • An enthusiastic and welcoming team that is open to new colleagues and enjoys computers, research methods, and statistics;
  • An inspiring academic and international work environment in the heart of Amsterdam.


In this team, you will work
Methods and Statistics is one of the 7 programme groups of the Department of Child Development and Education in the Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences. Methods and Statistics consists of 12 members, who teach and do research in statistics and psychometrics dedicated to child development and education. You will work under supervision of Prof. Dr L. A. (Andries) van der Ark and Dr N. (Niels) Smits)

If you recognize yourself in this profile and are interested in the role, we look forward to receiving your motivation letter and CV. You can apply via the red button until April 25, 2025. Interviews will take place in early May. In case of equal qualifications, internal candidates will be given preference over external candidates.

Work Hours:

7.6 hours per week

Address:

Nieuwe Achtergracht 166