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

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)

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.

Contract terms

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).