Postdoctoral Position in Interdisciplinary Research on Energy Transition and Sustainable Development at the University of Amsterdam
The urgent need to rapidly reduce carbon dioxide emissions to avoid uncontrollable climate change and fulfil the requirements of the Paris Agreement shapes decisions on how to define, design, and implement the energy transition in Europe. The energy transition is closely intertwined with essentially all Sustainable Developments Goals (SDGs), but its wider effects are seldom taken into account or studied in detail. The aim of a recently launched research priority area (RPA) at the University of Amsterdam (UvA), called ENLENS (Energy Transition through the Lens of SDGs), is to stimulate and initiate interdisciplinary cross-faculty research that maps the energy transition in Europe against the SDGs beyond European borders.
At the UvA Institute for Advanced Study (IAS) researchers from various disciplines work together on complex challenges that require an integrated system’s approach to unravel the underlying dynamics and understand the possible effect of strategic interventions in problems like the energy transition. The IAS plays a central role in ENLENS in terms of hosting seminars, enabling workshops, and stimulating methodology development for interdisciplinary cross-faculty research on the interconnections between the local energy transition and global SDGs. The Postdoc researcher will develop methodologies that can help unraveling the complex societal challenges associated with the energy transition.
What are you going to do
We offer a Postdoctoral position focusing on the development of interdisciplinary methodologies enabling research on the relation between efforts to implement and accelerate the energy transition, on the one hand, and achieving the SDGs, on the other hand. You will be appointed at the Van‘t Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences (HIMS) of the Faculty of Science (FNWI) at the University of Amsterdam (UvA), but work closely together with most of the other Faculties at UvA, including social sciences, humanities, and business and economics. Your work will be anchored at IAS in close collaboration with researchers of the Future of Energy (FoE) network and the ENLENS research priority area of UvA.
With this research group you will explore interventions that could accelerate the energy transition as well as analyse the possible impacts (negative and positive) that the energy transition in Europe may have on all 17 SDGs across European borders, hence in essentially all other possible parts of the world. UvA has excellent researchers in many disciplines, working on economic, environmental, technological, social, political, and business aspects of the energy system, the energy transition, and SDGs. However, while the added value of interdisciplinary research has been widely acknowledged, particularly in the field of the energy transition and SDGs, it has been very difficult to pursue until now. You will be precisely in contributing to achieve that.
You will:
- work in the ENLENS programme;
- undertake personal research efforts and publish the ensuing results, while assisting ENLENS projects in their methodology development;
- assume organisational responsibilities for ENLENS (coordinate calls for proposals, co-organize workshops, etc.);
- continue and expand the current ENLENS operation at IAS, and support the coordinators of ENLENS;
- write progress reports and prepare results for publication and dissemination via journals & conference presentations and through the web;
- oversee, supervise and train, in association with the project leaders and ENLENS board members, undergraduate and postgraduate students;
- supervise practical work and advise students on research methodologies and analysis techniques;
- undertake any necessary training and/or development, and attend relevant meetings.
What do we require
We seek an exceptionally talented and motivated ‘interdisciplinarity thinker’ with a background in e.g. Energy Studies, Environmental Science, Sustainable Development, Sustainability Science (or related areas) and a strong interest in working across disciplinary boundaries.
Your experience and profile:
- A PhD in a relevant field;
- Strong methodological skills and affinity with quantitative analysis;
- Interest in policy-oriented research;
- Demonstrated interdisciplinary work experience;
- Excellent written and oral communication skills;
- Demonstrated support and/or management skills;
- Interest in collaborating with students and colleagues in and outside the institute.
Our offer
A temporary contract for 38 hours per week, preferably starting on 1 May 2022, for the duration of four years. Initially, we will appoint you on a temporary basis for one year. We offer you subsequently an extension of the employment contract of three years if we assess your performance positively. The appointment is full time (38 hours per week).
Based on a full-time contract (38 hours per week) the gross monthly salary will range from €2,846 to €4,490 (scale 10) in the last year. This is exclusive 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus. A favourable tax agreement, the ‘30% ruling’, may apply to non-Dutch applicants. The Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities is applicable.
The UvA offers excellent possibilities for further professional development and education.
What else do we offer;
- a function in which initiative is strongly valued;
- an enthusiastic team that welcomes new members;
- an inspiring academic and international environment in the heart of Amsterdam.
About us
The Faculty of Science has a student body of around 6,500, as well as 1,600 members of staff working in education, research or support services. Researchers and students at the Faculty of Science are fascinated by every aspect of how the world works, be it elementary particles, the birth of the universe or the functioning of the brain. While the Faculty of Science will be the Postdoc’s institutional base, (s)he will also closely collaborate with researchers from the other four UvA faculties involved in the ENLENS project: Faculty of Law, Faculty of Economics and Business, Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, and the Faculty of Humanities. The Institute for Advanced Study (IAS) uses interdisciplinary research, system’s thinking and complexity science methods as ‘common language’ to explore challenging cross-faculty research topics.
The Van ‘t Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences (HIMS) is one of eight institutes of the University of Amsterdam (UvA) Faculty of Science. HIMS performs internationally recognized chemistry and molecular research, curiosity driven as well as application driven. This is done in close cooperation with the chemical, flavor & food, medical and high-tech industries. Research is organized into four themes: Analytical Chemistry, Computational Chemistry, Synthesis & Catalysis and Molecular Photonics.
To work at the University of Amsterdam is to work in a discerning, independent, creative, innovative and international climate characterized by an open atmosphere and a genuine engagement with the city of Amsterdam and society. Here you can read more about working at the University of Amsterdam.
Questions
Do you have any questions or do you require additional information? Please contact:
Job application
Do you recognize yourself in the job profile? Then we look forward to receiving your application by 1 May 2022. You may apply online by using the link below.
Applications in .pdf should include:
- a motivation letter, including names and contact information of two references
- a CV, including a list of publications
We will invite potential candidates for online interviews in May 2022.
The UvA is an equal-opportunity employer. We prioritize diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for everyone. We value a spirit of enquiry and perseverance, provide the space to keep asking questions, and promote a culture of curiosity and creativity.
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