Manager SIDN Labs

SIDN is committed to assuring a strong .nl domain for a cohesive Dutch nation. We aim to continuously excel in our core task with the .nl domain, which is a global leader in terms of security, stability, reliability, quality and independence. It is vital that SIDN constantly strives for ongoing development as a robust, agile and future-proof registry organisation. That requires more than technical excellence; it also requires a strategic approach to the deployment and development of our people, our financial resilience and our operational efficiency.

A strong .nl domain depends on an open, secure and stable internet, in the Netherlands, in Europe and beyond. Because both the current generation and future generations rely on the internet, we work to make the digital infrastructure as accessible, reliable and future-proof as possible. We do that in various ways: by using expertise and resources, by conducting applied technical research, and by providing high-quality registry services.

SIDN Labs is SIDN's research and development team. The team undertakes applied technical research to make .nl and the wider internet infrastructure more secure and resilient. That goal is pursued through large-scale measurements and analyses, by designing, prototyping and evaluating new technologies, and by applying scientific insights in practice. The team’s focus fields are domain name security, the security of core systems (DNS, BGP, NTP) and emerging internet technologies.

As well as being used to improve SIDN’s own services, the team’s research results are shared with the internet community and the academic community. Close collaboration with other registries, universities and research centres is central to our work.

As an MT member, you’ll define the research programme and provide leadership to the SIDN Labs team of 10 Research Engineers and 3 Research Support Engineers. You'll be reporting to SIDN's CEO.

You’ll be responsible for the development of new knowledge with a view to further enhancing the reliability and capabilities of the internet and reinforcing SIDN’s position as an expert partner within the national and international internet community.

Result Fields

Surveying

• Identifying technological, security, privacy, governance and other trends in the continuing development of the internet.

• Obtaining insight into where knowledge lacunae exist inside SIDN and beyond.

• Identifying ongoing and prospective research programmes and advising on SIDN’s role and financial contributions to such programmes.

Research assignments

• Working with the team to determine what research is most valuable to the realisation of SIDN’s ambitions and the reinforcement of SIDN’s status as an expert partner.

• Agreeing research proposals, problem definitions and budgets with the Executive Board and determining research forms.

• Negotiating and preparing relevant contracts or cooperation agreements.

Knowledge generation

• Managing the process of decision-making as to how and by whom research projects should be performed (internally, in partnership or by contracting out), with a view to generating knowledge and supporting SIDN’s continued development as an independent expert partner.

• Promoting the application of newly acquired knowledge inside and outside SIDN. Acting as research client, guiding relevant actors towards attainment of the desired results.

• For example, in the context of initiatives such as the Dutch National Anti-DDoS Coalition and the DDoS Clearing House that we have developed for the Coalition, in partnership with SURF and the University of Twente.

Networking

• Within the specific field of applied research, continuing to build up SIDN’s (inter)national network so as to keep abreast of new developments and forming new partnerships.

• Positioning SIDN as a strong research partner and seeking partners for SIDN’s research initiatives.

• Projecting SIDN’s profile within the academic community and beyond in order to reinforce SIDN’s status and added value as an expert partner.

Publications

• Promoting awareness of newly developed knowledge.

• Judging how the knowledge obtained within SIDN can be leveraged as widely and effectively as possible to reinforce SIDN’s status as an expert partner.

• Arranging for and/or encouraging the publication and communication of research results, in the context of which collaboration with external stakeholders is vital for contributing to a more secure and resilient internet.

• Extensive graduate/PhD-level knowledge of internet technology, internet protocols and network infrastructure, Unix, open source, open standards and internet decentralisation.

• Extensive knowledge and experience of performing (academic and/or applied) research, and of developments in the international internet community, including the associated volatility and unpredictability.

• Ability to connect the academic world and the practical world of DNS and network operators.

• Extensive knowledge and experience of deploying leadership skills at the head of a self-organising, highly educated and trained team.

• Knowledge of the (inter)national players in the internet world.

• A contact network within ICANN, RIPE, IETF, CENTR is desirable.

• Social skills for maintaining and extending SIDN’s contact network amongst leading academic/research organisations active in the internet world, and for managing research projects

• Ability to communicate research results and insights to a wider, non-technical audience.

• Excellent self-expression skills for coordinating research plans and assignments.

• A feel for the operation of vital infrastructure.

• Ability to strike a good balance between principles and pragmatism.

• Command of the Dutch language to at least B2 or C2 level.

For us, it's all about balance. Balance between hard work and relaxation, between performance and reward, between your ambitions and ours, between an inspiring office environment and the convenience of working from home, and of course between professional and private life. We utilise the latest technologies for easy collaboration, remotely, physically and in hybrid forms. We also make sure that our people have well-equipped home workstations, plus access to an office space with everything they need to get together, collaborate and inspire each another. If you want to go running or visit granny during office hours, we're okay with that. As long as you live up to your professional responsibilities, we'll work out between us exactly how and when you do your work. And we're not fans of formal appraisal. What really matters is year-round personal development. Where you take the lead. Helping us to consolidate our status as a major, unique player in the internet technology sector.

Pay and other benefits

What’s in it for you? First, ample opportunity for growth and skills development. After all, you'll be helping us take our IT set-up in a whole new direction. On-the-job growth will go hand-in-hand with training-based personal development – for which we have a generous budget!

• We offer an attractive and competitive compensation and benefits package, including:

• Gross monthly salary of €7,791 to €11,500, depending on professional experience

• An electric lease vehicle or a mobility allowance

• A general expenses allowance, paid net

• Holiday pay of 8 per cent, plus a thirteenth salary payment

• A variable collective bonus of up to 4 per cent

• A pension with ABP

Everything above is for a full-time role (40-hour week).

The selection procedure includes screening, which involves obtaining a Certificate of Good Behaviour (similar to a criminal record check), and performing reference and integrity checks.

Acquisition is not welcome for this vacancy.