Job vacancies

The Netherlands Institute for the Study of Crime and Law Enforcement employs over 100 staff members: scientific researchers, post-doctoral researchers, PhD candidates and support staff. Most of the NSCR staff is supported by the Institutes Organization of the Dutch Research Council (NWO-I) or has a (part-time) contract in collaboration with Dutch universities.

The NSCR regularly has space for interns. Acquisition is not appreciated.

Diverse workforce

The NSCR encourages a diverse workforce: we strive to develop talent and creativity by bringing people from different backgrounds and cultures together. We recruit and select based on capabilities and talent. We strongly encourage anyone with the appropriate qualifications to apply for the position, regardless of age, gender, race, sexual orientation or physical ability. Read about the vision of the NSCR on diversity.

About NWO-I

The Dutch Research Council (NWO) is the national research funder. The Institutes Organization of NWO (NWO-I) comprises nine national centers of expertise in specific scientific fields, from astronomy to marine research to crime and law enforcement, the research area of ​​the NSCR. The NWO institutes conduct high-quality scientific research and function as powerful national instruments in science policy. They make it possible to coordinate scientific fields for a longer period of time and to renew research in them.

Project Manager for the project “Unlocking Crime Data in the Netherlands” (32–36 hours per week)

Are you the driving force behind our ambition to make data for criminological, victimological, and empirical legal research smarter and more easily accessible (open access)? If so, we’d love to meet you!

NSCR is hiring a project leader/researcher who can give a boost to the collection, sharing, and utilization of research data in the fields of crime, victimization, and law enforcement in the coming years. The NSCR aims to expand the existing data infrastructure and make it available to researchers both within and outside the NSCR. This includes the use of the Secure Analytics Lab (SAL), where sensitive data can be handled in a guaranteed secure manner. Developing a robust data infrastructure combined with a rich collection of research datasets will strengthen comparative and longitudinal research in the Netherlands.

In this role, you will have the opportunity to develop and carry out research ideas that align with the project’s objectives.

What will you be doing?   

As a project leader, you will work with a team of data, IT, and security specialists, as well as researchers from the NSCR research groups, to achieve the objectives of the innovation project “Unlocking Crime Data in the Netherlands”. These objectives include building a digital infrastructure, including a repository of datasets and documents; compiling metadata files; establishing connections with infrastructures such as ODISSEI and DANS; and facilitating secure access to highly sensitive data. In addition, the project focuses on setting up trend studies or monitors in the areas of crime, victimization, and law enforcement.

As project leader, you will be responsible for the following tasks:

• Collecting and making accessible datasets, both from within and outside the NSCR.
• Coordinating with subject matter experts (program leaders and researchers at the NSCR).
• Contributing to and, where necessary, initiating NSCR trend studies, for example in the field of green criminology.
• Developing and monitoring a project plan, including the budget, schedule, and implementation.
• Providing clear reports to stakeholders on progress, risks, and results.
• Coordinating with the NSCR’s data and IT specialists and privacy coordinator regarding the possibilities.
• Seeking alignment with and collaborating with institutions such as ODISSEI and DANS.

The ideal candidate has:

• A university degree, including a Ph.D.
• Experience with (the processing and analysis of) complex data, such as registry data.
• Experience with scientific research.
• An affinity for the broad field of criminology, victimology, and criminal justice/societal responses.
• Knowledge of relevant laws and regulations regarding privacy, data security, and  data storage.
• A passion for open science.
• Experience as a project leader with technical knowledge of data infrastructure design.
• An entrepreneurial attitude and strong networking skills.

Conditions of employment:

• A 4-year employment contract for 32–36 hours per week (reduction to 24 hours is negotiable).
• The salary depends on your education and experience and is up to a maximum of € 6,876.90 per month based on 36-hours appointment (scale 11/12 of the collective labour agreement Research Institutions).
• In addition, the terms of employment include an end-of-year bonus (8.33%), vacation allowance (8%), a good pension scheme, a hybrid workplace, and 8 weeks of vacation annually. For more information, see here.
• A pre-screening such as a VOG and an assessment may be part of the hiring process.

Further information

For more information about this position, you can contact dr. Peter Ejbye-Ernst, senior researcher and groupleader (pejbyeernst@nscr.nl). Information about the recruitment procedure and secondary employment conditions can be requested from Manon Quik, HR Advisor (mquik@nscr.nl)

Job application

Applicants should send a motivation letter and resume June 14, 2026 to: vacancy@nscr.nl