This PhD project will focus on empirical research, for example, comparing the discussion and historical development of an alternative economic model in several countries, across various levels of governance, or in different sectors. Methodologically, the focus will be on qualitative research, perhaps applying mixed methodologies, such as quantitative text analysis (text mining) or QCA.

Many interconnected crises are occurring in our current world, leading to increased criticism of our models of development in the Global North and the Global South. There is a need to re-embed the economy in planetary and societal boundaries. But to realise this goal, we need profound transformations. We must rethink the economic models we have known for so long. We can observe many societal and academic movements in this direction. Degrowth, Buen Vivir, doughnut economics, including Ubuntu, all strive for an economic system that respects humans, non-humans and nature as a priority. However, these alternatives remain fragmented and isolated. Hence, it is important to understand how they interact and coincide to identify commonalities and to increase their transformative potential. 
The aim of this research is thus to analyse alternative economic systems from a discursive-institutional perspective. How are discourses attached to these different alternatives changed and adjusted in different national contexts and at various levels (international to local)? How are these discourse institutionalized leading to sustainability transformations (or not)? What are the role of different actors and their advocacy strategies in these processes? Your PhD thesis will make conceptual and empirical contributions to understanding sustainable economic models and their role in transformations.

This PhD project will focus on empirical research, for example, comparing the discussion and historical development of an alternative economic model in several countries, across various levels of governance, or in different sectors. Methodologically, the focus will be on qualitative research, perhaps applying mixed methodologies, such as quantitative text analysis (text mining) or QCA.

You will join the Environmental Governance and Politics (EGP) chair group at the Department of Geography, Planning and Environment (GPE). You will also be affiliated with the Economics and Business Economics department (the Economics department is characterised by a pluralistic view of the economics discipline). The team of supervisors reflects the interdisciplinarity of the project: Prof. Ingrid Visseren-Hamakers (EGP), Dr Juliette Alenda-Demoutiez (Economics), and Dr Maria Kaufmann (EGP). The team has extensive knowledge of and experience in analysing governance processes in sustainability transformations. The project is financed by the faculty and affiliated with the Research HotSpot TransAct.

In addition to research, the candidate will teach in the GPE and Economics departments. Your education task may be up to 10% of your appointment.

Profile

• You have a Master’s degree in a relevant social scientific field (e.g. Enviromental Social Science, Political Sciences, Political Economy).
• You have a strong affinity with sustainable economic models, sustainability, governance and justice issues, if possible evidenced by previous course work or papers.
• You have knowledge of and experience with qualitative research methods.
• You are willing to teach in GPE and Economics.
• You have an interest in interdisciplinary research.
• You have excellent written and spoken English skills.
• You have the ability to work in a team.
• You have strong skills in project management, flexibility, a proactive attitude and excellent academic writing skills.

We are

Nijmegen School of Management enables students, institutions and companies, societal actors and governments to play their part in a transformation towards sustainable societies. In doing so, the faculty is committed to the mission of Radboud University as contributing to a healthy, free world with equal opportunities for all. 
In the context of our mission ‘Responsible governance for sustainable societies’, we address scientific and societal challenges from a good governance perspective. Our work focuses on the topics Beyond economy, Climate, Inclusivity, Safety, and Democracy. By building, questioning and extending the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG’s), we acknowledge their interrelatedness and focus on a number of grand challenges within society. On topics such as inequality, gender, decent work and poverty, we contribute to innovation and sustainable growth. Besides that, we address environmental and climate challenges, which we seek to contribute towards resolving. 
At Nijmegen School of Management, academic research and teaching are carried out in challenging educational programmes. These programmes are offered in the areas of Business Administration, Economics and Business Economics, Geography, Planning and Environment, Political Science and Public Administration. Academic research takes place within the Institute for Management Research (IMR). Research is carried out within the above mentioned domains and in interdisciplinary research groups: the Hot Spots. Around 5,000 students study at the Nijmegen School of Management, and the faculty has around 350 FTE staff.

Radboud University
We want to get the best out of science, others and ourselves. Why? Because this is what the world around us desperately needs. Leading research and education make an indispensable contribution to a healthy, free world with equal opportunities for all. This is what unites the more than 24,000 students and 5,600 employees at Radboud University. And this requires even more talent, collaboration and lifelong learning. You have a part to play!

We offer

• Employment for 0.8 (5 year contract) – 1.0 FTE (4 year contract).
• The gross starting salary amounts to €2,443 per month based on a 38-hour working week, and will increase to €3,122 from the fourth year onwards (salary scale P).
• You will receive 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus.
• You will be employed for an initial period of 18 months, after which your performance will be evaluated. If the evaluation is positive, the contract will be extended by 2.5 years (4 year contract) or 3.5 years (5 year contract).
• You will be able to use our Dual Career and Family Care Services. Our Dual Career and Family Care Officer can assist you with family-related support, help your partner or spouse prepare for the local labour market, provide customized support in their search for employment  and help your family settle in Nijmegen.
• Working for us means getting extra days off. In case of full-time employment, you can choose between 29 or 41 days of annual leave instead of the legally allotted 20.

Additional employment conditionsWork and science require good employment practices. This is reflected in Radboud University’s primary and secondary employment conditions. You can make arrangements for the best possible work-life balance with flexible working hours, various leave arrangements and working from home. You are also able to compose part of your employment conditions yourself, for example, exchange income for extra leave days and receive a reimbursement for your sports subscription. And of course, we offer a good pension plan. You are given plenty of room and responsibility to develop your talents and realise your ambitions. Therefore, we provide various training and development schemes.

Would you like more information?

For questions about the position, please contact Prof. Ingrid Visseren-Hamakers, Professor & Chair Environmental Governance and Politics at +31 24 361 20 95 or ingrid.visseren@ru.nl.

Practical information and applications

You can apply until 2 May 2022, exclusively using the button below. Kindly address your application to Prof. Ingrid Visseren-Hamakers. Please fill in the application form and attach the following documents:

• A letter of motivation.
• Your CV.
• A summary of your research ideas (including research questions, cases, methodology) (250-400 words).
• A transcript of grades.
• A writing sample.

 The first round of interviews will take place on Monday 16 May and if necessary also on Friday 20 May. You would preferably begin employment on 1 October 2022.
We can imagine you’re curious about our application procedure. It offers a rough outline of what you can expect during the application process, how we handle your personal data and how we deal with internal and external candidates.

We drafted this vacancy to find and hire our new colleague ourselves. Recruitment agencies are kindly requested to refrain from responding.