Student-Assistant for the Methods Desk Communication Science

Uva; Amsterdam; Hybrid; EUR 36,000 - 37,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

8% holiday allowance

Year-end bonus 8.3%

Job summary

UvA is seeking a student assistant for the Methods Desk in Amsterdam. You will support Communication Science students with statistical and methodological questions, contribute to research design discussions, and help maintain a welcoming learning environment in an international academic setting.

Responsibilities include in-person desk support, email queries, and building a Q&A database. Strong quantitative skills and SPSS familiarity are required; R/Python are a plus.

Qualifications

• Must be a student enrolled in the Research Master in Communication Science or another Social/Behavioral Sciences Research Master at the University of Amsterdam.
• Strong understanding of quantitative research methods and ability to use a broad range of advanced statistical methods.
• Knowledge of SPSS is required; familiarity with R and Python is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Staff the Methods Desk during sessions, answering statistical and methodological questions (about 85% of time).
• Assist with troubleshooting methodological software on students' devices (about 15% of time).
• Answer questions by email outside desk hours.
• Help build and maintain a Q&A database and the Methods Desk web page.

Skills

Quantitative methods

Advanced statistics

Tutoring experience

Customer service

English proficiency

Dutch familiarity

Education

Research Master in Communication Science

Tools

SPSS

R

Python

Windows/macOS troubleshooting

Job description

Support Student Research With the Methods Desk

As a student assistant at the Methods Desk, you will support Communication Science students with statistical and methodological questions related to their courses, assignments, and thesis projects. Together with a small and enthusiastic team of fellow student assistants and researchers, you will help students better understand research methods and develop confidence in conducting academic research. Your work may include answering questions during walk‑in hours, thinking along with students about research design and data analysis, and helping to maintain an approachable and supportive learning environment. This position offers the opportunity to further develop your own methodological and communication skills while working in an international academic setting.

What are you going to do

• You staff the Methods Desk during several sessions per week, where you answer statistical and methodological questions from Communication Science students, mostly by pointing them in the right direction (appr. 85% of your time);
• You help troubleshooting the installation and malfunctioning of methodological software for coursework on students’ own devices (appr. 15% of your time);
• Outside of the opening hours of the Methods Desk, you answer questions by e‑mail;
• You help building and maintaining a Q&A-database and the web page of the Methods Desk.

What do you have to offer

• You are a student of the Research Master in Communication Science, or another Research Master in Social and/or Behavioral Sciences at the University of Amsterdam;
• You will be available as a student‑assistant (and registered as a student) at least until July 2027;
• You have good understanding of quantitative research methods and are able to use a broad range of advanced statistical methods; knowledge of qualitative research methods is an advantage;
• You have good knowledge of SPSS; knowledge of R is desirable; and familiarity with Python is a plus;
• You have good working knowledge of software installation and troubleshooting issues with this on Windows and/or Apple operating systems;
• You have good customer service and problem‑solving skills and the ability to work accurately;
• Youpreferably have some experience with explaining (complex) assignments by, for example, tutoring high school students;
• You have a good command of written and spoken English, good command of Dutch is a plus.

What else do we offer you

The position concerns temporary employment of 12–16 hours per week for a maximum term of at least one year. Depending on the year of study, the salary range is approximately €3.230 to €3.288 gross per month (Student Assistant salary scale, pursuant to the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities), based on a full‑time workweek.

We additionally offer an extensive package of secondary benefits, including 8% holiday allowance and a year‑end bonus of 8.3%.

The UvA offers excellent possibilities for further professional development and education.

In this team

You will join a warm, enthusiastic, and internationally oriented team in which collaboration, initiative, and new ideas are genuinely encouraged and valued. Within this inspiring academic working environment in the heart of Amsterdam, you will work closely with colleagues on projects that support and engage students within an international university community.

Are you interested in research methods and in supporting student research projects through methodological advice? Since 2014, the Communication Science Department has a Methods Desk where students can ask statistical and methodological questions. We are looking for a dedicated and enthusiastic student to join the Methods Desk Team.