Concept Developer-Researcher, Life

As a concept developer/researcher, you ensure that innovative ideas find a place in the city. You translate abstract ideas into practical interventions, both locally and at the European level. You work with members of the community (residents, social initiatives, policymakers, administrators, and politicians) to develop a design and its implementation that aligns with public values. You will join the LIFE team and collaborate with highly knowledgeable colleagues in the fields of technology and society.

What will you be doing?

• Translating project plans into research processes that align with Waag’s objectives;
• Setting up, coordinating, and implementing co-creation processes, pilot projects, and user research for projects and (external) assignments;
• Translate insights and findings into outcomes that appeal to a broad audience (such as blogs, reports, evening programs, or exhibitions)
• Contributing to the development of co-creation methodologies
• Building a network of stakeholders and involving them in projects.

What are we looking for?

• You are a pragmatic and enthusiastic team player
• Not afraid to make decisions in complex project structures.
• You develop creative methods and implement practical co-creation processes.
• You have a knack for visualizing processes, insights, and results.
• You feel connected to Waag’s mission: democratizing access to technology.

What are you bringing?

• A demonstrable interest in the environmental impacts of technology and digitalization;
• A minimum of a bachelor’s degree level of education and professional experience, with experience in and/or an interest in the impact of technology on society; At least three to four years of experience in a similar role;
• At least three to four years of experience in a similar role;
• Strong language and communication skills in Dutch and English;
• Experience in shaping design processes, co-creation methods, and design thinking;
• Experience in organizing and/or facilitating workshops and events;
• Experience in designing, conducting, and documenting research

What do we offer?

• A warm and welcoming team in an organization that offers plenty of room for initiative and creativity, as well as flexible daily and weekly schedules;
• Opportunities for your professional development in the form of an annual training budget,
• Waag offers a casual work environment and a good pension plan,
• The work locations are Huis De Pinto and De Waag, in the center of Amsterdam, where you can also join in on group lunches and happy hours in the neighborhood,
• The salary range for this position is €3,226 to €4,494 per month (UFO scale 10-0 to 10-8), based on a 40-hour workweek, depending on knowledge and experience

Team Life 

In an era of climate change and biodiversity loss, the relationship between humans and their environment is in need of renewal. How do we relate to other animals, plants, soil, air, and microorganisms—in other words, to the “non-human world”? What insights do they offer on major issues such as adaptation, resilience, and mental and physical well-being?

About Waag Futurelab

For nearly 30 years, Waag Futurelab has been researching how technology can be used to drive social innovation. Well-known Waag projects include Fairphone, the world’s most sustainable smartphone, and De Digitale Stad, one of the very first social media platforms in the Netherlands. Or consider Operation Sigismund, one of the first educational games in the Netherlands that lets students experience how exciting an archive can be and is still played weekly at the Drents Archief.

Your future colleague Ouarda talks about working at Waag: “The freedom the organization gives me to shape my own projects really suits me. My colleagues appreciate me, I can be myself, and that makes it a great place to work.”

Waag operates as a team of designers, artists, and scientists who apply public research methods to technology and society. In doing so, Waag empowers as many people as possible to help design an open, fair, and inclusive future. We do this by collaboratively exploring emerging technologies, questioning underlying cultural assumptions, and designing alternatives based on public values. In this way, we strive to contribute to an open, fair, and inclusive future. Visitwaag.orgfor more information about Waag and the projects we are working on.

Diversity is crucial to making technology and society more open, fair, and inclusive. That is why we encourage candidates from diverse cultural backgrounds to apply. Even if you feel you don’t meet all the requirements, we still encourage you to apply. Some qualities can’t be captured in bullet points. 

Deadline:November 26, 2024
If we find the right candidate sooner, we may close the position early—so don’t wait too long to apply! 

Are you applying for multiple Waag job openings at the same time? If so, please mention this in your cover letter. 

If you have any questions about the job opening, please contact Judith Veenkamp (Head of the Life Department) at 020 5579898 or by email atjudith@waag.org

Recruitment agencies are asked to refrain from contacting us regarding this job opening.