We are looking for a motivated and independent scientist who loves to work on a comparative analysis into the transition to a circular plastics economy in Europe and Asia.

Concerns over plastic pollution are growing worldwide. The production of plastic continues to grow and plastics are now found in all parts of our living environment. Responses to the plastic crisis are varied and come from all layers and parts of society, i.e. governments, business and social actors. Many governments have begun to build policies aimed at moving towards a circular plastic economy, which requires a systemic transformation in terms of production, consumption, disposal and waste practices. Even in cases of a shared regulatory vision, the trajectory towards this circular plastic economy will be marked by legislative, cultural, institutional and technological differences, within and between countries.

This PhD research will center on a comparative analysis between Europe and Asia with respect to their legislative and policy approaches to this issue. Within this, the main focus lies on the interplay between governmental actors and the private sector. We seek to understand:

• how circular plastic economies are being operationalized and shaped by differences in hierarchical relations between governments and business in European and Asian countries;
• choices for policy instruments that aim to accelerate the transition towards a circular plastic economy;
• the current set-up of plastic production and recycling networks in, and between, Europe and Asia.

Within this research, attention will be paid to both the formal legislative frameworks present, or developing, in the meaningful countries, and any informal governance practices that have developed.

Your successful selection to this position will be based on:

• your academic track record (see below);
• the theoretical and methodological quality of your ideas;
• your ability to communicate (both written and verbally);
• your two-page research proposal;
• your fit with research of the Environmental Policy and Law Groups.

We are looking for someone who is willing and able to engage in research on the intersection between environmental law and environmental sociology.
You will also have to meet the entry requirements of the WUR PhD programme.

We expect to start this position in early 2020.

Academic Track Record
The assessment of grades follows the Dutch Scientific Organisation's criteria.
Candidates following or having concluded their academic education in The Netherlands: The overall weighted average grade of the completed bachelor study is at least the Dutch grade 7,5 and the overall weighted average grade of the completed first year of the master study is at least the Dutch grade 8,0.

Candidates following or having concluded their academic education outside of The Netherlands: The candidate's grades have to be converted to a grade according to the United States Grade Point Average (GPA) on a 4 point scale. The overall weighted average GPA of the completed bachelor study is at least 3.37 and the overall weighted average GPA of the completed first year of the master study (see also footnote 2) is at least 3.95.

An international and interdisciplinary research environment with an encouraging mentoring program for PhD researchers. All PhD researchers are provided with a personalized Training and Supervision Program (TSP) through the Wageningen School of Social Sciences. Moreover, supervision will be provided by both the Environmental Governance and Law Group, with the possibility to gain additional training in either law or governance studies during the PhD depending on the applicants past training.

The gross salary for the first year is € 2.325,- per month rising to € 2.972,- in the fourth year in according to the Collective Labour Agreement (scale P). This is based on a full working week of 38 hours.
In addition we offer:

• 8% holiday allowance;
• a structural year-end bonus of 8.3%;
• excellent training opportunities and secondary employment conditions;
• flexible working hours and holidays can possibly be determined in consultation so that an optimal balance between work and private life is possible;
• excellent pension plan through ABP;
• 232 vacation hours, the option to purchase extra and good supplementary leave schemes;
• a flexible working time: the possibility to work a maximum of 2 hours per week extra and thereby to build up extra leave;
• a choice model to put together part of your employment conditions yourself, such as a bicycle plan;
• a lively workplace where you can easily make contacts and where many activities take place on the Wageningen Campus. A place where education, research and business are represented;
• use the sports facilities on campus.

Wageningen University & Research stimulates internal career opportunities and mobility with an internal recruitment policy. There are ample opportunities for own initiative in a learning environment.

We offer a versatile job in an international environment with varied activities in a pleasant and open working atmosphere.

The researcher will be expected to live in the Netherlands and will be given an office within one of the Groups.

Wageningen University & Research

The mission of our University is to explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life. Within Wageningen University & Research, nine specialised research institutes from the Wageningen Research Foundation and Wageningen University have joined forces to help answer the most important questions in the domain of healthy food and living environment. With approximately 30 locations, 5,000 employees, and 10,000 students, it is one of the leading organisations in its domain worldwide. An integrated approach to problems and the cooperation between various disciplines are at the heart of the unique approach of Wageningen.

Equal opportunities employer
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age.

The Environmental Policy Group in the Department of Social Sciences at Wageningen University has an internationally recognized reputation in the area of environmental social science and policy research and education. Our 14 tenured staff, 4 Postdocs and over 35 PhD students focus on the social and political science of environmental transformations. The research of the group has a strong international orientation, being conducted at both the global level as well as in number of countries across Europe, Africa and Asia. The staff profile of the group is also international, with more than 12 nationalities employed. For further details see www.wageningenur.nl/enp

The Law Group in the Department of Social Sciences at Wageningen University focusses on providing legal solutions to social problems, such as those studied in life sciences domains of Wageningen University. These issues touch on almost every aspect of the law, which means that our group has collective expertise on matters relating to EU law, food law, international law, transnational law, intellectual property law and human rights law. The research of the group is strongly interdisciplinary and international, with faculty and students from all over the work contributing to our diversity. For more information, visit https://www.wur.nl/en/Research-Results/Chair-groups/Social-Sciences/Law-Group.htm