Job Wageningen UR (University & Research centre) - PhD position on the framing and governance of climate adaptation

The Public Administration and Policy Group at Wageningen University offers a position for a 4-year PhD project on “Making sense of climate impacts: understanding and dealing with the variety of climate change frames in governance processes”. The project is part of the broader Knowledge for Climate programme on the governance of climate adaptation carried out by five Dutch and three international universities. The aim of the research is to understand the variety of perspectives or frames on climate change and to develop ways of dealing with controversies in governance processes for climate adaptation. In these processes, governmental, societal and business actors try to implement adaptation strategies that can protect vulnerable regions from the impacts of climate change. More information about the project can be found on www.pap.wur.nl .The research is carried out in Wageningen, and should lead to a PhD dissertation.

We are looking for a social scientist with a background in public administration, policy sciences, organization sciences, or communication sciences and a keen interest in governance and interaction processes in complex environmental problem domains. Fluency in Dutch and English and good communication skills are required to work with stakeholders in key regions for climate adaptation. Experience with empirical research projects, interdisciplinary research and both quantitative and qualitative research methods would be an advantage.

A PhD position for a period of 18 months, extended with another 30 months upon favorable evaluation. Gross salary will increase from € 2042 in the first year up to € 2612 in the last year based on a full-time appointment (38 hours per week). You will be working in a pleasant environment in a small, dynamic and innovative group. Through the Knowledge for Climate program, there will be opportunities for exchange with other PhD students and international scientists. You will intensively collaborate with public and private stakeholders in diverse Dutch regions to apply the developed knowledge.Additional information can be obtained from:Dr. Art Dewulf (art.dewulf@wur.nl)Prof. Dr. Ir. Katrien Termeer (katrien.termeer@wur.nl)Please apply online before April 25th.

The Public Administration and Policy Group The Public Administration and Policy Group is a young, enthusiastic, ambitious and growing group within the Department of Social Sciences of Wageningen University. Our mission is to analyze governance in the life science policy domains, to flesh out the social mechanisms that contribute to stability and change, and to use these findings for designing innovative governance arrangements and interventions. In this way the group aims to contribute to scientific progress, to societal debates, and to the reflective practice of professionals involved. It does so by creative synthesis of theories from change management, organization science, public management and policy science. More information on the group can be found on www.pap.wur.nl Wageningen University and Research CentreDelivering a substantial contribution to the quality of life. That's our focus – each and every day. Within our domain, healthy food and living environment, we search for answers to issues affecting society – such as sustainable food production, climate change and alternative energy. Of course, we don’t do this alone. Every day, 6,500 people work on ‘the quality of life’, turning ideas into reality, on a global scale. Could you be one of these people? We give you the space you need.For further information about working at Wageningen UR, take a look at www.jobsat.wur.nl.