We are looking for a motivated researcher and skilled communicator to co-create a practical, openly accessible guideline on the legal and ethical use of synthetic data.
Your job
You will take the lead in bringing together knowledge and practical insights from our interdisciplinary project on synthetic data into a clear and actionable guideline, whitepaper, or tutorial research paper. This document will support data providers, stewards, and legal officers in assessing when and how synthetic data can be responsibly used and shared in SSH research.
This is the key deliverable of Work Package 4 of a broader research infrastructure project. You will work closely with legal experts, technical researchers, and institutional partners, drawing on their input and the real-world lessons of pilot studies (e.g., with Statistics Netherlands, DUO, National Library).
Your work will involve conducting literature reviews, analysing case studies, interviewing stakeholders, and leading the drafting process. You’ll translate practical, legal, and ethical considerations into guidance that is accessible, applied, and aligned with open science values. For example, you might build on / contribute to the synthetic data section in the data privacy handbook.
Your main tasks are:
- Lead the drafting of a well-written, publicly available guideline, whitepaper, or tutorial research paper on the responsible use of synthetic data in SSH research.
- Gather input from legal experts, technical partners, and case studies within the project.
- Synthesise diverse perspectives into a coherent narrative that balances legal, ethical, and practical considerations.
- Communicate with a range of stakeholders—academic, technical, and institutional.
- Participate in project meetings and contribute to reporting and dissemination activities.
- Optionally: help organise and follow up on a workshop for legal-ethical experts.
Your qualities
We Are Looking For Someone Who:
- Writes clearly and effectively for varied audiences—especially in English;
- Takes ownership of a shared outcome and can drive a document from concept to publication;
- Enjoys working across disciplines and bridging legal, technical, and social domains;
- Is proactive, organized, and collaborative;
- Has some familiarity with data governance, research ethics, or data privacy (e.g., GDPR), but deep legal expertise is not required;
- Bonus: reads Dutch or has experience with open science, public interest tech, or research infrastructures.
We welcome applicants from a variety of disciplinary and professional backgrounds, such as digital humanities, data infrastructures, information studies, data stewardship, or interdisciplinary data science.
Our offer
- a flexible, project-based research role for around 8 hours a week, to be carried out over a period of 1.5 to 2 years;
- a gross monthly salary between € 3.546 and €5.538 in the case of full-time employment (salary scale 10 under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU));
- The role is intended for people who already hold a position at one of the partner institutions in the project consortium: Utrecht University, SURF, DANS, or Maastricht University.
- If you are employed at SURF, DANS, or Maastricht University, the position will be formalised through a secondment agreement (detachering) with Utrecht University.
- If you work at Utrecht University, your time will be allocated within your existing appointment.
- 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus;
- a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU.
In addition to the terms of employment laid down in the CAO NU, Utrecht University also offers a range of its own schemes for employees. This includes arrangements for professional development, various types of leave, and options for sports and cultural activities. You can also tailor your employment conditions through our Terms of Employment Options Model. In this way, we encourage you to keep investing in your personal and professional development. For more information, please visit Working at Utrecht University.
About us
A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University, the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major strategic themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Pathways to Sustainability. Sharing science, shaping tomorrow.
The Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences is one of the leading faculties in Europe providing research and academic teaching in cultural anthropology, educational sciences, interdisciplinary social science, pedagogical sciences, psychology, and sociology. Almost 7,000 students are enrolled in a broad range of undergraduate and graduate programmes. The Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences has some 1,100 faculty and staff members, all providing their individual contribution to the training and education of young talent and to the research into and finding solutions for scientific and societal issues.
The faculty is located at Utrecht Science Park near the historical city centre of Utrecht.
More information
For more information, please contact dr. Erik-Jan van Kesteren at [email protected].
Candidates for this vacancy will be recruited by Utrecht University.
Apply now
As Utrecht University, we want to be a home for everyone. We value staff with diverse backgrounds, perspectives and identities, including cultural, religious or ethnic background, gender, sexual orientation, disability or age. We strive to create a safe and inclusive environment in which everyone can flourish and contribute.
To apply, please send your curriculum vitae, including a letter of motivation, via the ‘apply now’ button.
Interviews will take place in early October. Our preferred start date is before the end of the calendar year 2025.
