Product Owner & Community Lead: Advanced Data Collection Toolbox

Product Owner & Community Lead: Advanced Data Collection Toolbox

• Faculty:
• Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences
• Department:
• Social Sciences
• Hours per week:
• 36 to 40
• Application deadline:

The Macroscope is one of the most ambitious research infrastructure projects for the Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) in the Netherlands. It brings together fourteen universities and leading partners like SURF and Centerdata. These partners have developed advanced data collection tools in the recent years, and the goal is to build on these foundations. You will align existing products into a unified toolbox while also working with partners to develop new tools that address remaining gaps.

Your job

The Department of Methodology and Statistics has a job opening for a Product Owner & Community Lead in Advanced Data Collection Tools. In this position, you act as the product owner for the data collection domain within the Macroscope infrastructure, serving as the central point of contact for all data collection tools and connection to the CTO who oversees the full tool landscape. You are responsible for mapping, analysing and connecting the ecosystem of data collection tools and the public and private parties involved. You will carry out activities like:

• Acting as the primary contact between (external) software developers, researchers and other stakeholders: mapping who builds what, identifying unmet needs and keeping all parties aligned.
• Translating community needs, including open science principles, into clear and scalable software requirements, to be implemented by research engineers or software developers.
• Disseminating scientific output, such as presentations, workshops or papers about the infrastructures for the broader SSH community.
• You participate in code reviews or provide hands-on technical support where needed. Your technical background allows you to evaluate technical work critically.

Your qualities

We are looking for someone with a product owner mentality who bridges research communities and software development. 
We are looking for you, if you have:

• A naturally outgoing and connecting approach. You know how to bring together developers, researchers and other stakeholders, identify what they need, and keep them aligned around a shared goal.
• A technical background that allows you to be a critical discussion partner. You can participate in code reviews and support research engineers and developers where needed.
• A strong commitment to open science. You understand open science principles and know how to apply them in a research infrastructure context.
• Sharp communication skills across audiences. You can write and present for both technical and academic audiences, ranging from documentation and requirements to papers and community outputs.
• You have excellent project management skills. You are comfortable turning ambiguous community needs into clear, prioritized software requirements and driving them forward while keeping track of the project’s progress.

A bonus, but not required:

• Experience in a product owner, community manager or similar bridging role in a technical or research environment.
• Familiarity with advanced data collection methods such as data donation, web-tracking or app-based data collection.
• A network in or knowledge of the SSH research infrastructure landscape in the Netherlands or internationally.
• A university degree in computer science, computational social science, human-computer interaction, methodology and statistics, or a related field.

Our offer

• a fixed-term contract of four years;
• a working week of 32 - 38 hours and 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);
• 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 candidate will be employed at the Department of Methodology and Statistics (M&S) of the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences. At the M&S department we have the knowledge to use data to answer research questions that advance science and society. Our research focuses on methods and techniques for the social and behavioural sciences and comprises topics like research synthesis techniques, longitudinal studies, SEM and multilevel analyses, survey research, Bayesian statistics, ADS, and qualitative research. Read more about our research themes. We educate students throughout Utrecht University (Bachelor’s, Master’s and postgraduate level) and professionals, for example via the Summer School Utrecht. We provide consultations for researchers, PhD candidates, and students and we have various collaborations with external (international) parties.

The candidate will collaborate closely with ODISSEI and with project D3I, which manages the research infrastructure for data donation.

The faculty is located at Utrecht Science Park near the historical city centre of Utrecht.

More information

For more information, please contact Christine Hose

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.

A valid Certificate of Conduct (VOG) is required for this position. This will be requested as part of the application process.

Knowledge security screening can be part of the selection procedures of academic staff. We do this, among other things, to prevent the unwanted transfer of sensitive knowledge and technology.

To apply, please send:

• Your curriculum vitae, including contact details of two referees familiar with your work.
• A letter of motivation. Outline your fit to this topic and how you meet the selection criteria. If any criteria are not yet fully met, explain how you plan to develop the necessary skills.

Please note that international candidates that need a visa/work permit for the Netherlands require at least four months processing time after selection and acceptance. Our International Service Desk (ISD) can answer your questions about living in the Netherlands as international staff. Finding appropriate housing in or near Utrecht is your own responsibility, but the ISD may be able to advise you therewith. In case of general questions about working and living in The Netherlands, please consult the Dutch Mobility Portal.

The first round of interviews takes place on Wednesday June 10, 2026 (online). The second round of interviews takes place on Wednesday June 24, 2026 (in person). An assessment is part of the procedure.

Our preferred start date is September 2026.

The application deadline is 24 May 2026.