Tilburg University | Tilburg School of Humanities and Digital Sciences | Liberal Arts and Sciences

Student assistant vacancy on research project: Exploring pathways to democratizing data for global biodiversity decision-making.

Are you passionate about nature conservation? Are you interested in issues of environmental and data justice, and the relationship between data and policymaking? Do you have some experience in conducting desk-based research and organizing events? Would you like to gain experience working with an interdisciplinary team and engaging with conservation practitioners and decision-makers? We are looking for one (0,4 fte) or two (0,2 fte) student research assistants to work on our project Exploring pathways to democratizing data for global biodiversity decision-making, which is funded by the 2026 TSHD seed-funding research program.

Overview

• School/Team: Liberal Arts and Sciences (TSHD) in collaboration with the Department of Public Law and Governance (TLS) and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature Commission on Environmental, Economic and Social Policy (IUCN CEESP)


• Location: Tilburg University


• Contract size: 0,4 fte / 16 hours per week. Job-share (2 x 0,2 fte / 8 hours per week) is also possible


• Full-time gross salary: €​​​​3084 -€ 3141


• Contract duration: 7 months


• Desired starting date: April 2026

The project: Decision-making on global biodiversity conservation is driven by knowledge produced through established monitoring frameworks and large data sets, generated by international organizations. Despite the existence of grassroots monitoring initiatives and calls to increase inclusion of citizen science in decision-making, locally-produced data focusing on social and political impacts are rarely included. This limits democratic engagement in knowledge production and undermines the transparency and accountability of conservation actions. The project brings together expertise at Tilburg University with societal partners to ask How can digital tools enhance rather than undermine democratic participation in the context of biodiversity conservation?

Tasks: The project involves a critical review on the data sets and digital tools that most influence global biodiversity decision-making, and a series of dialogue sessions bringing together TiU researchers and societal actors to explore pathways for increasing democratic engagement. The student assistant will focus on two main tasks:

• To conduct a critical review of the data sets, digital tools, and processes that are used in biodiversity conservation decision-making, particularly in relation to social and political aspects of conservation in the context of the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).


• To support the organization of two dialogue events that will take place in June and October 2026.

The student assistant will also have the opportunity to support with report and/or academic paper writing and be a named person on the project outputs.

Your profile 

• You are a student at Tilburg University and are either a third-year bachelor student or master’s student


• You have obtained at least 60ECTS in your program


• You are a critical thinker who has some experience in qualitative methods


• You have an interest in the research project’s topics (e.g., data justice, the links and gaps between data and decision-making)


• You are well organized and a good communicator


• You have excellent English Language skills (at least C1 level)

The offer

• Employment of 0.4 fte (16 hours per week). Job-share (2 x 0,2 fte / 8 hours per week) is also possible


• Salary between €3084 and €3141 gross per month for full-time employment (UFO profile Student Assistant, salary scale SA). Salary depending on your course year


• This is a vacancy for a Student Assistant who contributes to scientific education or research in accordance with Article 10.1 paragraph 2 CLA Dutch Universities. You will receive a temporary contract for the duration of 7 months.


• Vacation pay of 8% and a year-end bonus of 8.3%.


• If you don’t have student grants, reimbursement for sustainable commuting: walking, cycling and public transportation.


• Inclusive work culture: everyone welcome, equal opportunities.

Want to apply? 

Please send your CV and a short (maximum one-page) motivation letter to Dr Kate Massarella ([email protected]) before midnight on March 6, 2026. Interviews will take place on or around March 12.

The selection committee consists of:

• Kate Massarella, project lead TSHD


• Wessel Ganzevoort, project co-lead TLS


• Anna Shekiladze, policy advisor TSHD

Please contact Dr Kate Massarella ([email protected]) with any questions.

Tilburg School of Humanities and Digital Sciences

Research and education at the Tilburg School of Humanities and Digital Sciences (TSHD) has a unique focus on humans in the context of the globalizing digital society, on the development of artificial intelligence and interactive technologies, on their impact on communication, culture and society, and on moral and existential challenges that arise. The School of Humanities and Digital Sciences consists of four departments: Communication and Cognition, Cognitive Science and Artificial Intelligence, Culture Studies and Philosophy; several research institutes and a faculty office. Also the University College Tilburg is part of the School. Each year around 275 students commence a Bachelor or (Pre) Master Program. The School has approximately 2000 students and 250 employees.

Tilburg School of Humanities and Digital Sciences

Recruitment code
Tilburg University applies the recruitmentcode of the Dutch Association for Personnel Management & Organization Development (NVP).

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