Research Theme Coordinator: Empowering the Young

Employment 0.8 - 1.0 FTE

Gross monthly salary € 3,546 - € 6,433

Required background Research University Degree

Organizational unit Faculty of Social Sciences

Application deadline 02 April 2026

Join the Behavioural Science Institute at Radboud University and contribute to our focus theme ’Empowering the Young’.

The Behavioural Science Institute invites applications for a temporary position focused on our research theme, ’Empowering the Young’. You will have a central coordinating role in shaping the visibility and internal cohesion of the theme during an intensive development phase. You will be embedded within a vibrant interdisciplinary research institute with a strong commitment to open science, team science and societal impact.

The position involves three main tasks:

1. Inventory and Thematic Mapping of Ongoing Research.
   You will systematically map ongoing research projects within the institute that align with Empowering the Young. This involves consulting BSI programme leaders, identifying thematic synergies and producing a clear internal overview that can serve strategic, communication and funding purposes.
2. Development of the Empowering the Young Web Presence.
   In collaboration with BSI colleagues, you will help re-design and structure the BSI website in relation to the theme ’Empowering the Young’. This includes structuring project overviews and activities within the theme and ensuring coherent presentation of the theme’s mission, people and impact.
3. Organisation of an Empowering the Young Seed Grant Festival.
   You will take the lead in organising a festival-style event in which recipients of internal seed grants present and pitch their project results. This includes conceptualising the format, coordinating speakers, managing logistics and ensuring strong attendance and impact. The event is intended to boost the Empowering the Young theme.

Does this sound like you?

• You hold a PhD degree or have equivalent research experience in psychology, pedagogy, behavioural science or a related field.
• You have affinity with research on youth and young-adults, development, well-being, and/or societal impact.
• You demonstrate strong organisational and project management skills.
• You write clearly and accessibly for academic as well as general audiences.
• You work independently while coordinating effectively with multiple stakeholders.
• You have excellent English proficiency (Dutch is an advantage but not required).

What we offer you

• We will give you a temporary employment contract with a final end date of December 31, 2026.
• Your salary in scale 10 or 11 depends on your previous education, and number of years of (relevant) work experience. The amounts in the scale are based on a 38-hour working week.
• You will receive an 8% holiday allowance and an 8,3% end-of-year bonus.
• You will receive extra days off. With full-time employment, you can choose between 30 or 41 days of annual leave instead of the statutory 20.

Additional employment conditions

Work and science require good employment practices. Radboud University’s primary and secondary employment conditions reflect this. You can make arrangements for the best possible work-life balance with flexible working hours, various leave arrangements and working from home. You are also able to compose part of your employment conditions yourself. For example, exchange income for extra leave days and receive a reimbursement for your sports membership. In addition, you receive a 34% discount on the sports and cultural activities at Radboud University as an employee. And, of course, we offer a good pension plan. We also give you plenty of room and responsibility to develop your talents and realise your ambitions. Therefore, we provide various training and development schemes.

Where you will be working

The Behavioural Science Institute (BSI) is an interdisciplinary research institute where fundamental, applied and translational research takes place, often with the aim of understanding important societal issues and contributing to their solutions. BSI is one of the three research institutes of the Faculty of Social Sciences at Radboud University. Our researchers collaborate across the boundaries of psychology, communication science and pedagogical and educational science. Our mission for the coming years is to join forces in interdisciplinary research on the theme ’Empowering the Young’. We study the challenges that young people face in our current society and contribute to their empowerment.

BSI performs high-quality research with scientific and societal impact. To foster this, the institute provides excellent research facilities and has strong collaborations with non-academic partners. Moreover, BSI is known for its successful graduate school and strong dedication to open science and team science. We stand for a warm, inclusive and cooperative research environment in which our staff are well-supported in a work culture that promotes collaboration and respect.

Faculty of Social Sciences
At the Faculty of Social Sciences , humanity and society are our focus; we study how people behave, think and feel. Within this context, we look at themes such as human behaviour and the human psyche, education and upbringing, communication, society and culture. The faculty provides education to 6,000 students and employs 700 staff. Education is organised into six programme clusters: Psychology; Artificial Intelligence; Pedagogical Sciences and Educational Sciences; Communication Science; Sociology; and Cultural Anthropology and Developmental Sociology, and the Radboud Centre Social Sciences as an institute for post-master education have been merged into the Social Sciences Education Institute. Our research is carried out within three research institutes: the Donders Centre for Cognition, the Behavioural Science Institute, and Radboud Social Cultural Research.

Radboud University
At Radboud University, we aim to make an impact through our work. We achieve this by conducting groundbreaking research, providing high-quality education, offering excellent support, and fostering collaborations within and outside the university. In doing so, we contribute indispensably to a healthy, free world with equal opportunities for all. To accomplish this, we need even more colleagues who, based on their expertise, are willing to search for answers. We advocate for an inclusive community and welcome employees with diverse backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives.

If you want to learn more about working at Radboud University, follow our and read stories from our colleagues.

Is this the job for you?

You can apply only via the button below. Address your letter of application to Julie Krans. In the application form, you will find which documents you need to include with your application. We look forward to receiving your application.

The first interviews will take place on between 6 and 9 April. You will preferably start your employment as soon as possible, ideally in April or May.

We can imagine you’re curious about our application procedure . It describes what you can expect during the application procedure and how we handle your personal data and internal and external candidates.

Do you already work at Radboud University and have questions about making an internal move? Learn more about internal applications .

Application deadline 02 April 2026

We would like to recruit our new colleague ourselves. Acquisition in response to this vacancy will not be appreciated.

Want to know more about this position?

S. Burgos de Macedo Alves (Sonia)

sonia.burgos [at] ru.nl

Last modified: 19 March 2026