Job opening: Research Software Engineer

Tilburg University | Library & IT Services

is looking for a

Research Software Engineer

Department: IT Development, Team Tilburg AI

On site: Tilburg

Contract size: 0,7 – 1.0fte fte (28 - 40 hours per week)

Full-time gross monthly salary: €3.873 - €5.264

Contract duration: 12 - 48 months

Intended start date: November 1st 2026

Would you like to build open-source software that helps researchers make their work more transparent, verifiable, and reusable?

Tilburg University is looking for a Research Software Engineer for ReproHub, a large-scale open science infrastructure project funded by OpenScienceNL/NWO. In this role, you will work with researchers, research software engineers, library experts, student developers, Tilburg University’s AI development and cloud team (tilburg.ai), and national partners such as ODISSEI.

ReproHub develops infrastructure for researchers working with secondary and sensitive data. The project builds on existing Dutch open science infrastructure, including ODISSEI and Tilburg Science Hub, and aims to strengthen reproducibility, transparency, and public trust in science. 

Your position

As a research software engineer based at Library & Information Services at Tilburg University, you will contribute to the technical development and integration of ReproHub, a large-scale open science infrastructure project recently funded by OpenScienceNL/NWO. Specifically, you will be part of the project’s technical development team and help translate stakeholder needs into reliable, maintainable, and secure software. 

ReproHub (see project proposal for details) consists of four connected deliverables: 

• ReproBuddy: an AI tool based on open-source LLMs to improve reproducibility packages using commonly used workflows in the social sciences  
• ReproRun: a system to validate research results and provide certificates  
• OpenScienceRadar: a browser extension that makes open resources from public databases visible alongside search results (e.g., in Google Search)  
• OpenScienceHub.nl: scaling Tilburg Science Hub to become a national platform with accessible educational material on Dutch and European open science infrastructure

Important activities include: 

• Developing frontend and backend components for ReproHub’s tools and services; 
• designing, building, and maintaining APIs and integrations between the different components; 
• Contributing to API-based integration of LLM functionality, including context-retrieval approaches and open-source large language models; 
• Helping build and maintain CI/CD pipelines, containerized deployment workflows, and Kubernetes-based deployment; 
• Developing and improving user interfaces for researchers, research support staff, and other users; 
• Reviewing code, auditing pull requests, and maintaining technical documentation; 
• Collaborating with student assistants and supporting them in writing high-quality, maintainable code; 
• Translating stakeholder needs into technical choices, prototypes, and production-ready solutions; 
• Contributing to software quality, security, privacy, reproducibility, and responsible AI practices. 

Your profile

1. Ability to work and think at an academic or bachelor level
2. At least 1 year of relevant experience as a full-stack developer, software engineer, research software engineer, or similar.
3. Minimum CEFR level C1 English and B2 Dutch.
4. Comfortable building web applications with Python and modern frontend technologies such as React, Next.js, or comparable frameworks, and has experience with Git-based workflows, code review, and writing clean, maintainable code.
5. Experience with API-based integration of LLM functionality, ideally including retrieval-augmented generation or related context-retrieval approaches, working with open-source large language models, and connecting AI components to web applications or research tools.
6. Experience with, or willingness to learn, technical infrastructure such as Docker, CI/CD pipelines, Kubernetes, cloud deployment, monitoring, and secure software development practices.
7. Understanding the importance of software quality, security, privacy, reproducibility, and responsible technology use, especially in research and open science contexts.
8. Enjoys working in a multidisciplinary team with researchers, developers, library experts, IT colleagues, and student assistants, and can translate user needs into practical technical solutions.
9. Is accurate, curious, pragmatic, and communicative; takes ownership of technical work while remaining open to feedback from users and colleagues.
10. Experience with open-source projects, research data workflows, browser extension development, university IT environments, or Dutch language skills is an advantage.

Our offer

Tilburg University offers excellent benefits in a pleasant working environment:

• Employment of 0.7 – 1.0 fte (28 - 40 hours per week).
• Salary between €3.873 - €5.264 gross per month for full-time employment (UFO-profile Engineering & Application Manager 4, salary scale 9). Tilburg University uses a neutral remuneration system based on relevant work experience.
• This is a vacancy whose work is temporarily externally funded by NWO, You will be given a temporary contract for the duration of 12 months, which can be continued for a maximum duration of up to 48 months. 
• Vacation pay of 8% and a year-end bonus of 8.3%.
• Over 8 weeks of vacation leave.
• Hybrid working with home working allowance (€2 p/day) and internet allowance (€25 p/month).
• Reimbursement of sustainable commuting: walking, cycling, and public transport.
• Options model for additional leave, pension, bicycle or personal training.
• Moving allowance (subject to conditions).
• 30% rule for international employees (if applicable).
• Pension through ABP.
• Ample training offer: personal development, leadership, education, research or language courses.
• Inclusive work culture: everyone welcome, equal opportunities.
• A green, inviting campus that’s easily accessible by public transport.

For more information, please see our website and the CLA Dutch Universities.

Want to know more?

Would you like to know more before applying? Feel free to contact Coen van Houwelingen at c.h.vanhouwelingen@tilburguniversity.edu.

Want to apply?

We kindly invite you to apply before October 14th; this can only be done online. Address your cover letter to Coen van Houwelingen and attach your resume. We look forward to your response.

The selection committee consists of:

1. Coen van Houwelingen, Teamlead Software Development & Labsupport 
2. Hannes Datta, associate professor Tilburg School of Economics and Management (TiSEM)
3. Shrabastee Banerjee, assistant professor, TiSEM
4. Jessica Verheijen, community manager/data steward, Research Support, Library

You will ideally start working for Tilburg University on November 1st.

This vacancy has been published internally for 7 days, prior to being published externally. In case of equal suitability, our preference is for an internal candidate.

Due to safety considerations, a Certificate of Good Conduct (VOG) is part of the selection procedure.

About Tilburg University 

Tilburg University is the university in the humanities and social sciences. Ever since our foundation in 1927, we have been committed to a just, inclusive, and sustainable society. With leading research and inspiring education, we contribute to the interpretation and, where possible, solutions to current societal issues, from climate change to digitalization

Our community is personal, engaged, and small-scale. On our green, compact, and vibrant campus there is room for encounter, collaboration, reflection, and personal growth. Read more about Tilburg University.

Working at Tilburg University means working in an inclusive team with attractive employment conditions. At Tilburg University, you will receive ample opportunities to strengthen your talents and develop your career, in a warm working atmosphere where we attach great importance to the following values: curious, connected, caring, and courageous.

About the Library & IT Services Division (LIS)

The Library & IT Services Division (LIS) stands for the realization of state-of-the-art information provision; IT services; and library services for education, research, and business operations of Tilburg University. LIS positions itself as an advisor and service provider. From that position, we offer modern provisions in the field of information and information and communication technology.  The Division is also responsible for academic information and library services.  The Division has approximately 200 employees and consists of 6 organizational units; IT Services, IT Renewal, Projects & Information Services, CIO office, University Library and the university newspaper Univers.  Read more about Library & IT Services | Tilburg University.

About Tilburg.AI

Tilburg.ai is Tilburg University’s innovation and development hub for AI applications within the university. Tilburg.ai also contributes to guidelines for AI usage and the promotion of AI literacy among students and staff.

Tilburg.ai operates according to a core principle: building with and for the Tilburg University community. The team works actively with students, faculty, researchers, and support staff to fully leverage the expertise within the university and align with organizational needs.

The foundation for AI innovation is a secure IT infrastructure. To achieve this, the Tilburg.ai team works alongside experts from Library and IT Services.

One of the main applications developed and managed by Tilburg.ai is Tilburg University’s own chatbot platform, Tilly.

Application code

Tilburg University applies the recruitment code of the Dutch Association for Personnel Management & Organization Development (NVP).

Disclaimer

The text in this job vacancy is the copyrighted property of Tilburg University. Use, distribution and further publication of the vacancy without the express permission of Tilburg University is not permitted and this expressly applies to use by recruitment agencies that do not act directly on behalf of Tilburg University. Responses to recruitment by non-contractors of Tilburg University will not be considered.