Student Research Assistant

Vrije Universisteit; Amsterdam; On-site; EUR 29,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary €3,084 gross per month

0.1 FTE (≈4 hours per week)

10 months duration

Job summary

ACTA is seeking a Student Research Assistant to support the SPIRE project and co-create reporting guidance to minimize spin in medical research reporting. You will assist with communications, meeting organization, and materials preparation in a Dutch university context.

The role targets a Master's student with English proficiency, interest in health research, and basic qualitative methods experience. Work is 0.1 FTE for about 4 hours weekly, for ten months starting Oct 2026.

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled as a Master's student at a Dutch university.
• Has good English comprehension skills and can understand scientific literature.
• Has basic knowledge of qualitative research methods (e.g., interviews, Delphi).
• Interested in health research and research methodology; knowledge of reporting guidelines is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Support communication with international experts and stakeholders, including email invitations and follow-ups.
• Assist in organizing project meetings and Delphi expert sessions, plus pilot-testing sessions.
• Prepare meeting materials, take notes, and support meeting logistics.

Skills

English proficiency

Qualitative research methods

Research transparency knowledge

Interest in health research

Education

Master's student

Job description

Your function

Transparent and accurate reporting of medical research is essential for trustworthy evidence-based decision-making. However, “spin”—the practice of presenting research findings in a biased or misleading way to influence interpretation—remains common in medical publications. Spin can distort the interpretation of scientific evidence and may affect clinical and policy decisions.The SPIRE project aims to develop and co-create a practical, user-oriented reporting guidance to help minimize “spin” in medical research reporting, with a specific focus on randomized controlled trialsand systematic reviews. The project will engage international experts and stakeholders through consensus-building activities, including online Delphi meetings and pilot testing.

Your duties

The Student Research Assistant will support the project team with:

• Supporting communication with international experts and stakeholders, including assisting with email invitations and follow-up communication
• Assisting in organizing project meetings, including core team meetings, Delphi expert meetings, and pilot-testing sessions, as well as workshops/tutorial sessions
• Preparing meeting materials, taking meeting notes, and supporting meeting logistics

Your profile

The ideal candidate:

• Is currently enrolled as a Master's student at a Dutch university;
• Has good Englishcomprehension skills and is able to understand scientific literature and discussions;
• Has basic knowledge of or experience with qualitative research methods (e.g., interviews, focus groups, Delphi methods, qualitative analysis);
• Has an interest in health research and research methodology;
• Has preferably knowledge of research reporting guidelines or research transparency.

What do we offer?

A challenging position in a socially engaged organisation. At ACTA, you contribute to education, research and service for a better world. And that is valuable. So in return for your efforts, we offer you:

• A salary€ 3.084,00 (SA) gross per month, on a full-time basis. This is based on UFO profile Student assistant step 3
• A position for at least 0.1FTE (approximately 4 hours per week on average; workload may vary across phases of the project)
• Duration: 10 months (preferably October 2026 to July 2027; start date flexible in consultation)
  

About us

ACTA is a partnership between the Faculties of Dentistry at the University of Amsterdam and VU University Amsterdam.
Everything related to dentistry can be found under one roof.

Welcome to ACTA
At ACTA, we are proud of our diverse groups of patients, staff, and students, and we view diversity as an asset.

Are you interested in working with us? If so, you’ll help improve oral health for everyone —both now and in the future—in the Netherlands and around the world. You will help make a difference: whether you’re working with patients to achieve a healthy (or healthier) mouth, conducting innovative research, shaping our educational programs alongside our students, or supporting your colleagues in achieving these goals.

Interested

Interviews will be held on Wednesday, September 9th and Friday, September 11th.

Applications received by e-mail will not be considered.

Acquisition in response to this advertisement is not appreciated.