We are looking for a Junior Researcher who will join the Department of Environmental Policy Analysis (EPA) at the Institute for Environmental Studies (IVM) and work on the newly funded EU Project NEWCOMERS (“New clean energy communities in a changing European energy system”). The NEWCOMERS project intends to develop a better understanding of the socio-economic, socio-cultural and socio-political factors that drive the emergence and operation of new clean energy communities (“newcomers”) as well as their diffusion at various levels, including technological, regulatory, and investment-related aspects. The successful candidate will have a responsibility to make key contributions to the overall conceptual framework of the NEWCOMERS project as well as its application under the supervision of several senior colleagues. If you are drawn to the task of advancing our understanding of complex environmental governance challenges, willing to work in an ambitious international team, and ready to contribute to a better understanding of one of the grand challenges of the current era, you are welcome to apply.

Your duties

• You will make key contributions to the conceptual framework of the NEWCOMERS project, which departs from the notion of polycentric governance.
• You will contribute to the development of a typology of energy communities that will help orientate the empirical research in ten energy communities in six countries across Europe.
• You will help develop the protocol for the various case studies that will take place under the NEWCOMERS project.
• You will help investigate the regulatory, institutional and social settings for clean energy communities in the countries where our case studies are located.
• You will contribute actively to the NEWCOMERS project, meaning among others that you will be attending project meetings, consult with our national and international partners, communicate findings and results to relevant audiences, and assist in managing the project where needed.
• You will become a full member of the Department of Policy Analysis (EPA) and will contribute to the research lines of that department, which means that you will work on publications, and possibly help expand the research line. The work done within the project could form the basis of a future Ph.D.-thesis and candidates with an interest in developing a plan for such a Ph.D. project have an advantage.

The successful candidate must

• have a Masters’ degree in a relevant discipline, notably the environmental social sciences, environmental sciences, economics, public administration or public policy analysis
• have a good understanding of modern theories on environmental governance
• have the ambition to publish on environmental governance in high quality academic journals
• ideally have an interest and awareness of discussions around renewable energy
• excellent English speaking and writing skills
• have the skills to function as a team player within the overall EU project

Fixed-term contract: 2 years.

An exciting position at the forefront of one of the biggest societal debates in one of the world’s leading socio-environmental research institutes in the world, with prestigious funding from the European Union. A pleasant working environment at the dynamic Zuidas district in Amsterdam, with a very positive and entrepreneurial atmosphere, and a pedigree of nurturing talent. An opportunity to develop plans for a Ph.D.-thesis in collaboration with experienced colleagues.

On a full-time basis the remuneration amounts to a minimum gross monthly salary of € 2.709 (scale 10.0) and a maximum € 2.835 (scale 10.1), depending on your education and experience. Additionally, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam offers excellent fringe benefits and various schemes and regulations to promote a good work/life balance, such as:

• a maximum of 41 days of annual leave based on full-time employment
• 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus
• solid pension scheme (ABP), contribution to commuting expenses
   

The job profile is based on the university job ranking system and is vacant for 0.8 FTE. The desired starting date for this job is 1 September 2019, and the contract will be for 2 years.
 

The ambition of Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is clear: to contribute to a better world through outstanding education and ground-breaking research. And to be a university where personal education and societal involvement play a leading role. Where people from different disciplines and backgrounds work together on innovations and on generating new knowledge. Our teaching and research embrace the whole spectrum of science – from the humanities, the social sciences and the pure sciences through to the life sciences and the medical sciences.

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is home to more than 23,000 students. We employ more than 4,500 individuals. The VU campus is easily accessible, located in the heart of Amsterdam’s Zuidas district, a truly inspiring environment for teaching and research.

Diversity
Diversity is one of our university’s core values. We are an inclusive community, and we believe that diversity and international activities enhance the quality of education and research. We are always looking for people who can enhance diversity on our campus thanks to their background and experience.

The Faculty of Science
The Faculty of Science inspires researchers and students to find sustainable solutions for complex societal issues. From forest fires to big data, from obesity to medicines and from molecules to the moon: our teaching and research programmes cover the full spectrum of the natural sciences. We share knowledge and experience with leading research institutes and industries, both here in the Netherlands and abroad.

Working at the Faculty of Science means working with students, PhD candidates and researchers, all with a clear focus on their field and a broad view of the world. We employ more than 1,250 staff members, and we are home to around 6,000 students.
 
About the Institute for Environmental Studies (IVM)
Established in 1971, IVM is the Netherlands’ leading environmental research institute, which is internationally recognized for its high quality research output in a range of environmental disciplines, as well as for its interdisciplinary work. The mission of the institute is to contribute to sustainable development and care for the environment through scientific research and teaching. IVM aims to reach excellence in problem-oriented research that is useful to a wide range of stakeholders in the Netherlands and internationally. IVM’s research community works within and across four departments: Environmental Policy Analysis; Environmental Economics, Environmental Geography, and Water and Climate Risk.

About the department of Environmental Policy Analysis
The department of Environmental Policy Analysis is a vibrant international and world-renowned team of about 25 faculty members, postdocs and Ph.D.- students within the Institute for Environmental Studies (IVM). The group explores the theory and practice of environmental governance at various levels, with a special interest in institutional change, governance evaluation and complexity research across various thematic areas, such as climate change, water, and energy. Our aim is to develop path breaking research that guides the transition to a sustainable future.