Data Analyst (project-based) – Open Research Information Project

Introduction

Erasmus University Rotterdam is conducting a six-month diagnostic project on Open Research Information (ORI). The project explores how open infrastructures, including OpenAlex and OpenAIRE, could complement EUR’s institutional Current Research Information System (CRIS), PURE, for research management, evaluation, and strategic decision-making.

This is a learning and decision-support project, not an implementation project. Its objective is to provide university management with an evidence-based understanding of what open research information infrastructures can and cannot currently offer EUR.

The as-is analysis-covering current research intelligence use cases, tools, and metrics used across faculties-has been completed. We are looking for a Data Analyst to support the to-be analysis: a structured readiness assessment of OpenAlex and OpenAIRE, as well as comparative asessment of proprietary databases for two schools: Erasmus MC and Rotterdam School of Management (RSM).

Job description

You will work with an existing readiness assessment framework developed within the project. Your role will be to assess and document open databases: OpenAlex and OpenAIRE and proprietary databases: Dimensions, Scopus and Web of Science, against key criteria for Erasmus MC and RSM, including: data coverage, data quality, available metrics, information types, user experience, required skills, required support and governance considerations. Each criterion will be assessed against the research intelligence use cases identified during the as-is phase, such as: tracking research outputs, monitoring research impact and performance, analysing collaboration patterns and monitoring open science practices.

Your main activities will include:

• Conducting structured comparisons between open and proprietary databases, and institutional current information system, Pure for Erasmus MC and RSM, building on existing preliminary coverage analyses
• Identifying metadata gaps, coverage differences, affiliation and DOI mismatches, and potential workflow implications
• Populating and substantiating the readiness assessment framework with evidence-based findings
• Summarising findings in a format that directly supports the project’s management advice phase
• Reporting weekly to Tung Tung Chan (ERS) and Andrea Tarchi (UB), while working closely with faculty contacts at Erasmus MC (Maarten Engel) and RSM (Brenda de Groot)

Job requirements

• A completed master’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., data science, information science, research management, social sciences, or a related discipline)
• Strong quantitative data handling and analytical skills, with experience working with datasets, sampling, and comparative analysis
• Experience with data cleaning, matching, and analysis
• Affinity with bibliometrics, research information, or open science is an advantage but not required
• A precise and structured working style, suitable for a short, output-driven project
• Availability during the full project period from 5 October to 13 November 2026.

Employment conditions and benefits

We offer you an internationally oriented and varied job in an enthusiastic team, with excellent working conditions in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU).

The start date of this position is 5 October 2026 and you will be based at campus Woudestein in Engagement & Research Services (ERS). This position is for 1 FTE. The salary is dependent on your experience and knowledge and ranges from a minimum of € 3.706 to a maximum of € 5.760 gross per month Scale 10 on a fulltime basis (38 hours), in accordance with the CAO-NU.

Your contract will be with EURFlex. EURFlex manages the payroll administration of the Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR).

Employer

Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR) is an internationally oriented university with a strong social orientation in its education and research, as expressed in our mission ‘Creating positive societal impact’. EUR is home to 4.100 academics and professionals and almost 33.000 students from more than 140 countries. Everything we do, we do under the credo The Erasmian Way – Making Minds Matter. We’re global citizens, connecting, entrepreneurial, open-minded, and socially involved. These Erasmian Values function as our internal compass and create EUR’s distinctive and recognizable profile. From these values, with a broad perspective and with an eye for diversity, different backgrounds and opinions, our employees work closely together to solve societal challenges from the dynamic and cosmopolitan city of Rotterdam. Thanks to the high quality and positive societal impact of our research and education, EUR can compete with the top European universities. www.eur.nl.

Faculty / Institute / Central service

Engagement & Research Services (ERS) advances excellent research and engagement to maximize positive societal impact. ERS creates conditions for transparent, inclusive, collaborative, and impactful research through strategic and operational expertise.

We provide pathways for talents to reach their full potential and we advance fruitful collaborations, enabling Erasmus University to be a front runner in embedding excellent research in society. The following areas of support are embedded within ERS: Business Development, Grant Support, Legal Counsels, Open Science, Research Data Management, Ethics Review and Research Intelligence. ERS is a relatively young service department within Erasmus University Rotterdam and is steadily building and extending its service portfolio. ERS provides support to all faculties of Erasmus university Rotterdam (occasionally to Erasmus University Medical Center).

Additional information

You can find more information about the EUR on our website www.eur.nl.

For more information about this vacancy, please contact Tung Tung Chan, chan@eur.nl.

Applying

Please submit your application, consisting of your CV and a short motivation letter (maximum 2 pages), before 16 September 2026.

The selection procedure consists of an interview, invitations will be send by 24 September 2026.

We look forward to receiving your application.

Persons of all gender identities or expressions, sexual orientations, religions, ethnicities, ages, neurodiversities, functional impairments, citizenships, or any other aspect are welcome to apply and join the EUR community.