Job description
Are you a qualitative researcher with a passion for green criminology and victimology and experience with conducting field work? Are you interested in understanding the numerous challenges of regulating fishing in the Netherlands today from the perspective of different stakeholders? Are you driven, independent and interested in conducting fieldwork and interviews within the Netherlands? Then you might be the person we are searching for.
The NSCR is currently hiring two researchers as part of a larger project titled “Fishing in Troubled Waters”. Each of these positions are for four years and will be part of a larger research team. This project investigates (illegal) fishing in the Netherlands through various perspectives and methods. Below you find the description of the first of these researcher positions.
The goal of this role is to investigate the relationship between fishing, environmental regulation, and restoring marine ecosystems in the Netherlands from a criminological and victimological perspective. Using primarily qualitative research methods, the researcherwill examine how different actors understand the relationship between fishing practices, environmental change, and regulation, and how these perspectives shape ideas about environmental harm, responsibility and possible solutions. The researcher will conduct interviews and fieldwork with various actors involved in fishing, the governance, regulation, care, and representation of fisheries and marine ecosystems in the Netherlands. This project aims to address questions such as: What does protecting and caring for the Dutch fish population mean and how do different stakeholders understand and put this into practice? Who is seen as a victim of environmental harm, and by whom? Who knows what the fish population needs to restore harm and who can legitimately speak on its behalf?
The ideal candidate has:
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PhD in criminology, sociology, anthropology, environmental studies, socio-legal studies, victimology or a related discipline.
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Familiarity with one or more of the following research areas: green criminology, environmental governance, environmental justice, political ecology, socio-legal studies, or related fields.
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Demonstrated experience designing and conducting qualitative research, including interviews, ethnographic fieldwork and/or participant observation.
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Experience using qualitative data analysis software (e.g. NVivo, ATLAS.ti or MAXQDA).
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Excellent analytical and academic writing skills, as demonstrated through peer-reviewed publications.
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Ability to engage respectfully with people holding diverse or conflicting perspectives and to build trust with research participants.
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A willingness to conduct extensive fieldwork in the Dutch fishing sector and to engage with stakeholders across science, policy and practice.
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Ability to work independently while contributing to an interdisciplinary research team.
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Fluency in Dutch.
What we offer
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You will first receive a contract (0,8 fte/ 32 hours) at NSCR for the period of one year. If you perform well, it will be extended for three years.
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The starting salary depends on experience and is at least € 3.908 till € 5.377 per month on the basis of a 0,8 fte appointment (scale 11 of the collective labour agreement Research Institutions).
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Besides an end-of-year bonus of 8.33%, holiday allowance of 8%, good pension, hybrid working place and 8 weeks holiday leave.
- Click here for more information about the employment conditions.
- A pre-employment screening, including the submission of a VOG, is part of the procedure.
More information
For more information about this position, you can contact dr. Peter Ejbye-Ernst, senior researcher and group leader (pejbyeernst@nscr.nl). Information about the recruitment procedure and secondary employment conditions can be requested from Manon Quik, HR Advisor (mquik@nscr.nl)
Apply
Applicants should send a motivation letter and resume before 26 October 2026.
Diversity code
The NSCR promotes a diverse workforce: we strive to develop talent and creativity by bringing together people from different backgrounds and cultures. We recruit and select based on abilities and talent. We strongly encourage anyone with the right qualifications to apply for the position, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or physical abilities.
About the NSCR
The Netherlands Institute for the Study of Crime and Law Enforcement (NSCR) is a national research institute that conducts scientific research on crime and law enforcement. NSCR is part of the Institutes Organization of the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO). The NSCR conducts interdisciplinary and longitudinal research at the intersection of theory, practice, and policy and is located in one of the buildings of VU University Amsterdam.
