Research and Administrative Support

Are you an organized, detail-oriented person with an interest in the organizational side of academia? Then we have the perfect opportunity for you!

Join us!
We are currently seeking a highly motivated and versatile person to join our Department for Research and Administrative Support to Professor Hein de Haas.

This is an invitation to be at the heart of academic excellence, contributing to the seamless functioning of the professor's daily activities. As an assistant, you will be a pivotal force in creating an environment that fosters learning, collaboration and the overall success of ongoing projects.

What are you going to do
As an assistant to Professor De Haas you will be the linchpin, providing comprehensive support that goes beyond the ordinary. Your responsibilities will encompass academic support, schedule management, communication liaison, administrative tasks, public relations and technology assistance – a role designed to ensure the smooth functioning of all aspects of the professor's academic work.

This will entail the following responsibilities and task:

• Public relations (PR) and Communication:

Manage contacts with journalists, NGOs and others, and respond to letters from the public; serve as a primary point of contact for students, PhDs handling inquiries, and providing information on behalf of the professor; communicate effectively with colleagues, university staff, and external partners to facilitate seamless collaboration; develop strategies of communication (podcasts, blogs, interviews) in collaboration with the professor.

• Schedule and Calendar Management:

Coordinate the professor's calendar, help on setting short- and long-term priorities and coordinate projects management (particularly with regard to the ‘Changing the Migration Narrative’ project line with project objectives), finance and timetables; schedule appointments, meetings and interviews, and ensure timely completion of tasks; coordinate travel arrangements for conferences and events.

• Structuring Work, Agenda, and Emails:

Implement organizational systems to add structure to the professor's work, ensuring clarity and efficiency in task execution; develop and maintain a well-structured agenda, helping the professor stay focused on key priorities and deadlines; assist in structuring and organizing emails, categorising and prioritising messages for effective communication and follow-up; manage and respond to emails, ensuring prompt and professional correspondence; coordinate project website and maintain the website of the professor.

• Administrative Tasks:

Prepare and format documents, presentations, and reports, maintaining a high level of accuracy and professionalism; manage Canvas, the online course management system that supports (online and offline) learning and teaching; manage day-to-day email correspondence with students; handle routine administrative duties; take ownership of more complex administrative tasks, such as grant proposal preparation, manuscript submissions, supporting the hiring of staff, and coordinate activities of student assistants.

• Research support:

Find relevant academic literature; summarize papers; do references for academic papers; submit paper to academic journals; think along with regards to fund raising.

• Confidentiality and Data Management:

Handle confidential information with the utmost discretion, maintaining the privacy and security of sensitive data; manage student records, grades, and research data with precision and attention to detail.

• Technology Assistance:

Demonstrate proficiency in using office software, virtual collaboration tools; provide technical support during virtual and in-person classes, ensuring a smooth learning experience.

What do you have to offer
The successful candidate is based and is allowed to work in the Netherlands, demonstrates flexibility and proactivity, readily adapting to changing circumstances and proactively addressing challenges as they arise. They exhibit strong time management skills, efficiently prioritizing tasks to meet deadlines and maintain productivity even in a fast-paced environment. Their ability to swiftly assess situations and allocate resources effectively ensures smooth operations and optimal outcomes.

Education and experience

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree or equivalent experience in a relevant field.
• Relevant professional experience with migration issues.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office suite and other relevant software applications.
• Strong attention to detail and organisational abilities.
• Self-driven work style: ability to pursue goals and priorities and make day-to-day decisions independently.

Desirable skills

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Language requirements: Full fluency in English (C2 level) and Dutch (at least C1).
• Experience with working in an international environment.
• Organisational skills: Ability to organise meetings/projects, time management, managing/monitoring the expenditure and progress on projects and PhD/master students.
• Communication skills: Ability to respond to, and manage and prioritise emails, invitations and public relation management.
• Administrative Skills: Ability to manage projects, in terms of ensuring deadlines are prioritized and met. Ability to undertake document formatting, prepare PowerPoints, and possibly make figures and diagrams.
• Research skills and support: Ability to conduct quick research, find relevant academic articles, do referencing, uploading articles to academic journals, do database management.

What else do we offer you
Ready to embrace a role where your versatility shines? If you're eager to play a vital role in the academic journey and provide all-round support, we invite you to apply for this exciting opportunity.

The position concerns temporary employment of 20 to 30 hours per week for a period to 31 December 2025 with a probationary period of two months and the possibility of extension. However, urgent financial and/or organisational reasons may be reason not to continue the employment contract. The starting date will be as soon as possible after the selection procedure, but no later than 1 May 2025.

Besides the salary and a vibrant and challenging environment at the University of Amsterdam we offer you multiple benefits:

• An enthusiastic and warm team that is open to new colleagues;
• the possibility to set up a workplace at home;
• an inspiring academic and international working environment in the heart of Amsterdam;
• exposure to diverse research projects and collaborations;
• the UvA offers excellent possibilities for further professional development and education;
• inclusive and supportive work culture.

At this department you will be working
You will be employed at the Department of Sociology. The Department of Sociology is one of the largest and among the leading sociology departments in Europe. It has a long tradition of theoretically informed, conceptually innovative and empirically driven research. Research at the department can be characterized by its critical and publicly engaged approach to urgent societal problems and questions.

The position is embedded in the research group Institutions, Inequalities, and Life courses(IIL). You will be part of a stimulating work environment with a variety of tasks and ample scope for individual initiative and development within an inspiring organization.

For questions about the vacancy, you can contact:

• Prof Hein de Haas, h.g.dehaas@uva.nl

The Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences strives for and puts conscious efforts into having a work and academic environment that is inclusive. We commit to providing the grounds for equal treatment and empowering you to become a full participating member of our academic community, regardless of your background, race, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability and/or age. We especially invite members from historically disadvantaged/under-represented groups to apply. If this vacancy speaks to you, but you are uncertain whether you meet all requirements, please do apply. Given the department’s commitment to diversity, we strongly encourage applications from all qualified candidates, and specifically from people with backgrounds underrepresented in academia.

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 no later than 23 March 2025. Only complete applications received within the response period and submitted via the red button will be considered.Selected candidates will be invited for an interview which are expected to take place as soon as possible after the closing date for applications. In case of equal qualifications, internal candidates will be given preference over external candidates.

20 - 30 hours per week

Nieuwe Achtergracht 166