Mariska Leeflang

This PhD position is part of the European REPLICATE project, which aims to strengthen the reliability, transparency, and societal value of research by making replication a more routine part of scientific practice. The project focuses on replicating influential published studies across different disciplines, with one of the planned replication studies centred on psychiatry and related fields. The doctoral researcher will work within the Research Integrity group in the Department of Ethics, Law and Humanities at Amsterdam UMC (location VUmc). The role combines hands-on replication research with broader work on the conditions that make replication more feasible and valued across the research ecosystem. This includes collaborating with international partners in the REPLICATE consortium and engaging with researchers, funders, publishers, and research institutions. The project is methodologically mixed and combines quantitative, qualitative, and participatory approaches. The PhD student will design, preregister, and conduct two replication studies, collect and manage data, analyse results under supervision, and publish findings in scientific journals. In parallel, the student will help identify and develop strategies and incentives that support replication research, including workshops with stakeholders to co-create solutions and contribute to discussion about how replication can be better recognised in research evaluation, funding, and journal publication practices. The position offers participation in the monthly research integrity meetings and training activities of the group, with opportunities to contribute to teaching on research integrity depending on interest.