PhD vacatures

Leiden University was founded in 1575 and is one of Europe’s leading international research universities.

In this postdoc position, the focus is on methods and algorithms for large-scale graph analytics, in particular network science approaches for analyzing longitudinal, population-scale relational data derived from administrative sources, including unique social network on the Dutch population data from Statistics Netherlands. Such data presents distinctive methodological challenges: their scale and temporal character require new metrics, fast algorithms, and careful tailoring of commonly used network measures and algorithms. The aim is to advance our understanding of how social network structures change over time due to social and demographic dynamics and how this evolution relates to broader societal phenomena and systemic shifts such as structural inequalities, segregation, echo chambers or polarization. Working closely with infrastructure and data specialists, as well as researchers in social sciences, the postdoc will help bridge methodological advances in network science with substantive applications on uniquely rich population-scale data. Within this broad scope of topics, there is ample space for the postdoc to pursue a direction that fits both the candidate and the broader aims of the group.

Macroscope is a national research infrastructure funded by the Dutch Science Foundation (NWO) to study complex societal dynamics at an unprecedented scale. Building existing infrastructures from, for example ODISSEI, the project centers around the analysis of population-scale datasets with advanced computational tools. By bringing together data, models, and computing resources in a unified environment, Macroscope aims to make it possible to analyse large-scale social processes across time and across multiple types of data. The postdoc position is specifically about developing graph analytical methods for analyzing population-scale social networks.

The postdoc will be employed at the Leiden Institute of Advanced Computer Science (LIACS), which is the computer science and AI institute of the Faculty of Science of Leiden University. More in particular, the candidate will become part of the interdisciplinary inter-university PLANET-NL initiative, which is a collaboration with the University of Amsterdam rooted in computational social science and network science, and member of the Leiden Network Science group. Both the research groups and the institute are highly international, and feature a mix of disciplinal and cultural backgrounds.

There are plenty of additional opportunities for other types of interaction and collaboration, for example at the Faculty of Science through the Leiden Complex Network (LCN2) and nationally through the Dutch Network Science Society. The candidate will be asked to engage in (limited) BSc, MSc and PhD student (co-) supervision on topics related to data science and network science, as well as minor roles in scientific organizational activities.

• Conducting research in the area of network science;
• Engaging in collaborative research as a member of the PLANET-NL inter-university research group;
• Membership of and engagement with the Leiden Network Science research group;
• Co-supervising BSc, MSc and PhD students on topics related to data science and network science;
• Engaging in minor scientific organizational organizing activities.

The Leiden Faculty of Science is a world-class faculty where staff and students work together in a dynamic international environment. Our people are driven by curiosity to expand fundamental knowledge and to look beyond the borders of their own discipline. The faculty is home to more than 2,700 staff members and over 6,000 students enrolled in nine bachelor’s and fifteen master’s programs. We are located at the heart of the Bio Science Park, one of Europe’s largest science parks, where academia and industry come together.

The Leiden Institute of Advanced Computer Science (LIACS) is the Artificial Intelligence and Computer Science Institute of the Faculty of Science of Leiden University. We offer courses at the Bachelor and Master of Science level in the core areas of Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science, and Data Science, and also in the interdisciplinary areas of ICT in Business, Media Technology and Creative science, and Bioinformatics. According to an independent research visitation, we are one of the foremost computer science departments of the Netherlands. Our people and our focus on collaboration in a caring atmosphere are dear to us. We strive for excellence in a caring institute, where excellence, fun, and inclusiveness go hand in hand. We offer a clear and inviting career path to young and talented scientists with the ambition to grow. For more information about LIACS, visit our website.

• A PhD in computer science or a related field (e.g., mathematics, physics or computational social science), with a strong track record in network science (or complex networks / social network analysis);
• Excellent writing skills and proficiency of the English language, demonstrated through published first author papers in respected and relevant conference proceedings or journals;
• Experience with programming in Python, or otherwise in R and/or C++;
• Able to work independently, in a team, and in a student (co-)supervisory role;
• An academic, creative and curious mindset;
• Note: excellent candidates not yet past the PhD phase, but with graduation in 2026 in sight, are also invited to apply.

We also offer:

• An employment contract for the duration of one year. After a positive evaluation of the progress of the research, personal capabilities, and compatibility, the appointment will be extended by two more years; Salary ranges from € 3.546,- to € 5.538,- gross per month (38 hours, pay scale 10) in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities) and will be commensurate with the candidate’s level of experience. This contract falls under the CLA of Dutch Universities;
• A holiday allowance (8%), an end-of-year bonus (8,3%), and an attractive pension scheme at ABP;
• Full reimbursement of public transport commuting costs for home-to-work travel;
• Flexible working hours: as a standard, you are entitled to a minimum of 29 leave days on the basis of a full-time working week of 38 hours; you can also save for extra leave, for example by working 40 hours a week, and in this way accrue an extra 96 leave hours, or exchange 96 leave hours for a 36-hour week;
• Lots of options when it comes to secondary employment conditions; we can, for example, discuss options for a sabbatical or paid parental leave. Within our terms of employment individual choices model, you can exchange leave days and/or salary for benefits such as an advantageous sports subscription and bicycle scheme;
• A home-working allowance (day and internet allowance) and attention for good workplaces. The University will also provide you with a laptop.

Promoting an inclusive community is central to Leiden University’s values and vision. We strive to be an open community in which all students and staff members feel valued and respected, and are able to fully develop themselves. We consider an inclusive academic environment, where students and staff can share their experiences and viewpoints, to be essential for the development of talent.

You can apply online via the blue button in the vacancy. Please ensure that you attach the following additional documents:

• Your motivation to apply for the position,
• one or two paragraphs about what direction of research you wish to pursue in this postdoc, and
• why that research would fit with this position.
• An academic CV including a working Google Scholar profile URL;
• A recent writing example (typically a paper) that you are proud of and reflects your academic writing skills;
• Names and contact details of at least two people that can be contacted for reference (they should only have agreed to be contacted; there is no need to send letters);

Promising applicants may be contacted for exploratory conversations before the closing date. Application letters written solely using AI, for example reflected through mere hollow sentences, will not be considered.

The earliest possible starting date is July 1, 2026, the latest possible starting date is December 1, 2026. For candidates who require VISA, this date may shift by the duration of the VISA application procedure applicable to their country of origin.

The deadline for applications is May 10, 2026. The aim is to do the selection for first round interviews immediately after, aiming for a first round of interviews in the week of May 18, and to reach a final decision by roughly the end of May.

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