Quality Assurance (QA) Engineer

NIDI; Den Haag; Hybrid; EUR 43,000 - 59,000; Full time

Job summary

NIDI in The Hague is seeking a QA Engineer to ensure software quality before release to researchers. You will design and run test plans for Dataverse-based systems, identify defects, and work across UI and API layers with automation to improve reliability.

The role requires a technical background in computer science or equivalent, strong testing experience, and proactive communication. Hybrid work up to 50% from home is possible.

Qualifications

• Technical education or equivalent professional experience.
• Experience with software testing and testing methodologies.
• Able to work independently and communicate proactively.

Responsibilities

• Write, execute, and maintain test plans for Dataverse-based systems.
• Identify defects with clear reproduction steps for quicker resolution.
• Test UI and API functionality using functional, regression, and exploratory methods.
• Develop and maintain automated tests for speed and reliability.
• Collaborate with developers, product owners, and operations to improve delivery quality.

Skills

Software testing

API testing

Automation scripting

English fluency

Dutch language

Documentation

ISTQB/TMap

Education

Technical education in computer science

Tools

Dataverse

Job description

Do you believe that science should be transparent and accessible, and that research data should be available for reuse? And would you like to contribute to open science at national and European levels? Then we are looking for you! For our Technology Section, we are looking for a

Quality Assurance (QA) Engineer

30.4 - 38 hours per week (0.8 – 1 FTE)

What will you do?

As our QA Engineer, you play a key role in ensuring the quality of our software. You ensure that our software systems meet our functional and technical standards before they are released to users in the scientific community.

Your core responsibilities:

• Writing, executing, and maintaining test plans for our Dataverse-based systems, including Data Stations, DataverseNL, and the ODISSEI portal.
• Identifying defects early and providing clear, concise steps to reproduce them, helping developers resolve issues efficiently.
• Testing new and existing functionality across both UI and API layers, using appropriate testing methods such as functional, regression, and exploratory testing.
• Developing and maintaining automated tests to increase speed and reliability.
• Working closely with developers, product owners, and operations to contribute to the quality of our software delivery process.

What will you bring to the table?

You have a technical education (computer science, software engineering, or a related field) or equivalent professional experience. You have experience and large affinity with software testing and are familiar with common testing methodologies and techniques. You are highly organised and able to manage your own workflow independently, while communicating proactively with colleagues and stakeholders.

You are curious and keen to develop your knowledge and skills. You enjoy looking for ways to make testing smarter and more efficient and are motivated to contribute to the quality and reliability of DANS services.

In addition, you bring the following knowledge and skills:

• Ability to identify edge cases and spot issues that others might miss.
• Willingness to use and develop scripting skills to automate tasks.
• Ability to document test results, defects, and other findings clearly and accurately.
• Certification in ISTQB or TMap is an advantage.
• Experience with API testing and/or automated testing is an advantage.
• Experience with Dataverse or similar repository software would be beneficial.
• Fluency in English; knowledge of Dutch is an advantage.

Where is your workplace?

DANS is located on Anna van Saksenlaan in The Hague, within walking distance of Laan van NOI train station. It is possible to work partially (up to 50%) from home.

Who can you contact for more information?

For further information about the position, please contact Jan van Mansum ([e-mail]). More information about DANS is available on https://dans.knaw.nl.

About DANS

DANS is the national expertise centreand repository for research data. We help researchers make their data available for reuse. This allows researchers to use the data for new research and makes published research verifiable and reproducible. With almost 300,000 datasets and a staff of 60, DANS is one of the leading repositories in Europe. DANS is an institute of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) and the Dutch Research Council (NWO).

Working at DANS means working in an informal and international environment where colleagues with diverse backgrounds collaborate to achieve goals, and where people are given the opportunity and the confidence to fulfil their roles and develop as they see fit.

Internally, we apply the same principles of our service: we are accessible, reliable, and innovative.

Terms of employment

Depending on education and experience the minimum salary is € 3.873,-- and the maximum salary is € 5.264,--gross per month for a full-time appointment (=38 hours,scale 9 cao Nederlandse Universiteiten/KNAW). This is exclusive of 8% vacation allowance, 8.3% year-end bonus, travel allowance, internet allowance, home working allowance and pension accrual with ABP. This is initially a one-year fixed-term contract, with the prospect of a permanent contract subject to satisfactory performance. A full overview of the terms and conditions of employment can be found at https://www.knaw.nl/werken-bij-de-knaw

The KNAW offers its staff an excellent package of secondary benefits. A package that meets the different needs of employees depending on their stage of life, lifestyle or career ambitions. For example, by working an extra two hours a week, it is possible to increase the number of days off from 29 to 41 days a year (with full-time employment).

For a complete overview of the terms of employment, please refer to the web page: werken bij de KNAW.

Applying for a Certificate of Good Conduct is part of the employment procedure.