PhD - A future-oriented assessment programme in VET: supporting the learning and decision-making function of assessment programmes

Your job

Do you also feel that assessment systems can be more optimally used to support and empower student learning? Do you like to innovate education, work with teachers and make a difference for students? This participatory PhD project might be your chance!

As a PhD you will be involved in a 4 year NRO (Nederlands Regieorgaan Onderwijsonderzoek) funded project that is contextualised in the Learning network “Lerend Kwalificeren” (LK-network) in Vocational Education and Training. This network is supported by researchers (dr. Judith Gulikers & Dr. Liesbeth Baartman and the VET-council (Kennispunt Onderwijs & Examinering). In the LK-network VET teacher teams design, implement and evaluate new assessment programmes, building on the principles of Programmatic Assessment and intended to foster and stimulate both learning (formative) and decision making (summative). This PhD project studies how formative assessment and feedback can be optimally used in these assessment programmes to support both the learning and decision-making function of assessment. This is a participatory research project, in which the PhD works together with VET teacher teams in monitoring their assessment programmes and professionalising all involved partners (i.e. students, teachers, workplace assessors).

Your duties and responsibilities:

• Develop theoretical and conceptual insights in innovative (formative, programmatic) assessment practices.
• Conduct participatory research together with VET teacher teams on their designed and implemented assessment programmes to collaboratively build evidence-informed insights into what works, when, for whom and why.
• Conduct multiple case study research adopting various qualitative and quantitative research methodologies.
• Build bridges between theory and VET education practice (back and forth) and develop new theory from cross-case learning.
• Contribute to meetings of the LK-network focused on professionalisation of all relevant stakeholders in formative assessment and feedback
• Scientifically publish about this research, working towards a dissertation in the form of scientific articles.
• Actively engage in dissemination and discussion with scientific audiences (e.g conferences) practice, policy partners
• Work on your professional development, via professional development activities, like courses from graduate schools (ICO and WASS).

You will work here
The research is embedded within the Education and Learning Sciences chair group, a vibrant group of researchers and teachers. Our core mission is to understand and facilitate the unfolding of human potential in response to global challenges.

You will become a member of Lerend Kwalificeren team, which is led by Dr. Judith Gulikers. You will be co-supervised by Dr. Liesbeth Baartman, Lector at Utrecht University of Applied sciences. Both supervisors are experts in formative and programmatic assessment and have been actively involved in the LK-network from the start.

Your qualities

You have

• A MSc in a relevant field such as Educational sciences, Learning sciences, Innovation studies, or Pedagogical sciences
• Feel passionate about scientific advancement as well as improving the educational system.
• Experience with qualitative as well as quantitative research methodologies, in a participatory research context.
• Scientific writing and publishing skills.
• A proactive attitude, ownership and perseverance in taking the lead in your research project and dealing with challenges that come along with participatory (applied) research.
• Affinity with working with teachers and policy partners, preferably in the VET context.
• Exceptional communication skills, both for scientific communication (in writing and speaking) as well as for professionalizing (large groups of) teachers (in speaking and writing).
• Speaking the Dutch Language (as the LK-network and teachers will be talking in Dutch), while also showing C1 level of communicating in English.
• Dedication and openness to learn and work in a team, learn from feedback and provide feedback to others.

For this position your command of the English language is expected to be at C1 level. Sometimes it is necessary to submit an internationally recognised Certificate of Proficiency in the English Language. More information can be found here.

We offer you

Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment. A few highlights from our Collective Labour Agreement include:

• Partially paid parental leave;
• working hours that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow for the best possible work-life balance;
• there is a strong focus on vitality and you can make use of the sports facilities available on campus for a small fee;
• a fixed year-end bonus of 8.3%;
• excellent pension scheme.

In addition to these first-rate employee benefits, you will receive a fully funded PhD position and you will be offered a course program tailored to your needs and the research team.

The gross salary for the first year is € 2.901,- per month rising to € 3.707,-  in the fourth year in according to the Collective Labour Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU) (scale P). This is based on a full-time working week of 38 hours. We offer a temporary contract for 18 months which will be extended for the duration of the project if you perform well.

Wageningen University & Research offers plenty of opportunities for growth and development, with a strong internal recruitment policy and excellent training programmes.

You will work on the greenest and most innovative campus in the Netherlands, in an international and open working environment. For 20 consecutive years, we have been voted the "best university" in the Netherlands! A place to be proud of.

Coming from abroad
Wageningen University & Research is the university and research centre for life sciences. The themes we deal with are relevant to everyone around the world and Wageningen, therefore, has a large international community and a lot to offer to international employees.

Because we expect you to work and live in the Netherlands our team of advisors on Dutch immigration procedures will help you with the visa application procedures for yourself and, if applicable, for your family.
Feeling welcome also has everything to do with being well informed. We can assist you with any additional advice and information about for example helping your partner to find a job, housing, or schooling. Finally, certain categories of international staff may be eligible for a tax exemption on a part of their salary during the first five years in the Netherlands.

Do you want more information?

For more information about this position, please contact Judith Gulikers, Associate professor, by email: Judith.gulikers@wur.nl,

For more information about the procedure, please contact Noorien Abbas , corporate recruiter, by email: recruitment.ssg@wur.nl

Do you want to apply?
You can apply directly using the apply button on the vacancy page on our website which will allow us to process your personal information with your approval.

This vacancy will be listed up to and including June 11^th 2025. We hope to schedule the first job interviews on Tuesday June 24 and/or Friday June 27. A second round will be on Tuesday July 1^st or Wednesday July 2^nd.

Additional information form
For this position, you must fill in a mandatory form which will allow us to have a comprehensive view of your qualifications and better assess your fit for it. You can access the form using the link below:

https://forms.office.com/e/zHENPsm1AH

Your prompt response will ensure that your application continues to move forward in the evaluation process. We assure you that the information provided will be kept confidential and used solely for this application process.

Welcome, safe, and valued
Wageningen University & Research (WUR) highly values diversity and inclusion because we believe that different insights lead to innovative solutions. We create a work environment where everyone feels welcome, safe, and appreciated, regardless of background, identity, or experience. Together, we are building a culture where everyone's unique contribution adds to the success of our organization.

We are

The mission of Wageningen University & Research is “To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life”. Under the banner Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen University and the specialised research institutes of the Wageningen Research Foundation have joined forces in contributing to finding solutions to important questions in the domain of healthy food and living environment. With its roughly 30 branches, 7,600 employees (6,700 fte) and 13,100 students and over 150,000 participants to WUR’s Life Long Learning, Wageningen University & Research is one of the leading organisations in its domain. The unique Wageningen approach lies in its integrated approach to issues and the collaboration between different disciplines.

Read the 5 reasons why your future colleagues enjoy working at WUR and watch the video below to get an idea of our green campus!


We will recruit for the vacancy ourselves, so no employment agencies please. However, sharing in your network is appreciated.