The Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) is seeking an inspiring and enterprising Director for Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS), with a compelling vision on data use and archiving in research, familiarity with the national and international research data landscape, and excellent leadership and managerial qualities.
DANS is the national centre of expertise and repository for research data and plays a central role in the Dutch and European open science landscape. With over 355,000 datasets (with a focus on the social sciences and humanities), sixty staff members and a broad network of partners, DANS supports researchers and institutions in the sustainable management, sharing and reuse of data. By making data available for reuse, DANS contributes to new research and to the verifiability and reproducibility of scientific results. In doing so, we combine digital infrastructure and (data) services with specialist expertise and an active training programme for researchers and data professionals.
The demand for reliable and future-proof data infrastructures is growing rapidly. DANS plays a key role in this: as a provider of data services, as a knowledge partner in the field of FAIR and open data, and as an organisation that develops and transfers knowledge through training and practical support. In doing so, DANS acts as a link between research, policy and infrastructure.
The further strengthening of the national data infrastructure, alignment with international initiatives and the continued development of services, expertise and training require clear strategic choices and unifying leadership.
DANS is an institute of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) and the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO).
You will need to speak and write both Dutch and English proficiently.
PLANNING
The KNAW aims for its new Director of DANS to start as soon as possible, with the goal of making the appointment by early July 2026. To this end, the following timeline will be followed:
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Applications (a position-focused motivation letter and CV) should be submitted as soon as possible via KNAW@interexcellent.nl.
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Selected candidates will be invited for an exploratory interview with InterExcellent during weeks 22–25 (2026).
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The most suitable candidates will subsequently be presented to the KNAW (on 22 June 2026), which will decide whom to invite for selection interviews.
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The selection round within the KNAW will take place on 29 June 2026.
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An employment terms meeting will follow shortly thereafter (no later than week 27).
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A Certificate of Conduct (VOG) forms part of the procedure.
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Reference checks are part of the process, and an assessment may also be included.