Applying is possible until: 12 april 2026
The Faculty of Humanities, Leiden University Centre for Linguistics (LUCL) is looking for a postdoctoral researcher for the Macroscope project.
Project DescriptionWith an investment of €16.8 million from the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO), a consortium of Dutch institutions from the domains of the humanities and the social sciences will build the Macroscope – the world’s first population-level research infrastructure designed to observe and understand how societies evolve over time. One focal point of the Macroscope is language, specifically the research infrastructure needed for the annotation and analysis of textual data (contemporary and historical), and for the evaluation and finetuning of both output and infrastructure components.
Key ResponsibilitiesWithin the Macroscope project, the postdoctoral researcher will be involved in building part of the AI Collaboratory, a state-of-the-art compute infrastructure. Within the AI Collaboratory, the role of LUCL is to enable access to language data, advanced language technology and computational resources through APIs and communicative, user-friendly access protocols (ensuring that less technically oriented researchers can also access data). In addition to enabling AI-based corpus access (e.g. Via LLMs and RAG), tools for topic modelling, sentiment analysis, opinion mining, trend analysis, and various forms of text annotation need to be integrated in the infrastructure, as well as tools for the efficient training and fine-tuning of machine learning models. The postdoc will closely collaborate with researchers at the Dutch Language Institute (and Radboud University Nijmegen).
Selection Criteria- PhD in a relevant field (e.g., computational linguistics, digital humanities)
- Excellent programming skills, with extensive experience in Python
- Extensive experience with recent Python-based machine learning and LLM frameworks like LangChain and agent-based LLM frameworks, Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG).
- Experience with fine-tuning, deploying, and evaluating Large Language Models.
- Experience with the development of scalable, service-based back-end solutions with open-source frameworks and microservices (Docker)
- Familiarity with noSQL and Postgres databases and ElasticSearch.
- Experience with functional and technical design of complex software infrastructures
- A good command of Dutch ((near-)native speaker)
- Independent thinker, analytical, meticulous, results-oriented, and collaborative personality
Leiden University Centre for Linguistics (LUCL) is one of seven Institutes that falls under the Faculty of Humanities. With over 120 linguists working at the Institute, it is a rich research environment that prides itself on fostering scientific excellence. At LUCL we offer extensive research support to our researchers. For example, our in‑house grant officer will advise and help you apply for grants, a dedicated project officer will guide you with project finances and a communications advisor is on hand to assist you in publicising your research.
LUCL has a longstanding tradition in the study of the world’s languages and features unique linguistic expertise. Current theoretical insights are combined with modern experimental methods in its research profile area ‘Language Diversity in the World’. Researchers from our six umbrella research groups are experts in their respective fields but equally find innovative ways of collaborating with other fields and disciplines.
The Faculty of Humanities is rich in expertise in fields such as philosophy, religious studies, history, art history, literature, linguistics and area studies covering nearly every region of the world. With its staff of 995, the faculty provides 27 master’s and 25 bachelor’s programmes for over 7,000 students based at locations in Leiden and in The Hague. For more information: https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/humanities .
Terms and ConditionsWe offer a 0.8 fte temporary appointment of 12 months. The standard probation period is 2 months.
After 12 months, this position may be extended by 36 months, depending on good performance evaluations.
Salary range from € 4,728.- to € 6,433.- gross per month (pay scale 11), based on fulltime employment, in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities and commensurate with qualifications and experience. Depending on qualifications, you may start at the appropriate step in scale 10 until you fully meet the requirements for scale 11 as specified by the Faculty of Humanities, particularly with regard to the number of years of relevant work experience.
You are expected to work in Leiden.
Leiden University offers an attractive benefits package with additional holiday (8%) and end-of-year bonuses (8.3 %), training and career development. Our individual choices model gives you some freedom to assemble your own set of terms and conditions. For international spouses we have set up a dual career programme. Candidates from outside the Netherlands may be eligible for a substantial tax break. More at https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/working-at/job-application-procedure-and-employment-conditions .
DiversityFostering an inclusive community is a central element of the values and vision of Leiden University. Leiden University is committed to becoming an inclusive community which enables all students and staff to feel valued and respected and to develop their full potential. Diversity in experiences and perspectives enriches our teaching and strengthens our research. High quality teaching and research is inclusive.
Please submit your application online via the blue button in our application system no later than 12 April 2026.
Your application should include:
- Curriculum Vitae and a list of publications.
- A cover letter explaining your motivation, background and qualifications for the position (max. 2 page).
- Names, positions, and email addresses of two referees (no reference letters at this point).
Enquiries from agencies are not appreciated.
Leiden University was founded in 1575 and is one of Europe’s leading international research universities.
#J-18808-Ljbffr€4728 - €6433 monthly