We are looking for a candidate that has affinity with the societal dimension of the regional and local energy transition and the governance of energy transition. Given the nature of the research in WP 1 and WP 3, we are looking for a candidate who has experience with both qualitative and quantitative research methods.

With your PhD research, you will contribute to the EXPLORE project, which is funded by the Dutch Research Council (NWO) as part of the MARET programme. The goal of the EXPLORE project is to understand the effects of various forms of experimentation with participation as part of the governance of energy transition.

The project is part of a cooperation with societal stakeholders such as the province of Noord-Brabant, Metropoolregio Eindhoven, DSO Enexis, Enpuls b.v., Het PON/Telos and Energie Samen. Moreover, the project entails a research cooperation with Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) on the theme of System Dynamics (with Dr B. Walrave) and Tilburg University on regional governance (Prof. M. Groenleer). As part of the EXPLORE project, the candidate is expected to work on work packages 1 and 3 (WP 2 will be part of the research at TU/e). The goal of WP 1 is to understand the role of several pilots within the social innovation programme of the province of Noord-Brabant related to renewable energy. Using (quantitative) evaluation designs we will investigate to what extent the specific interventions introduced in these different pilots succeed in mobilising and empowering residents and neighbourhoods. WP 3 focuses on the underlying mechanisms and processes that affect the successfulness of these initiatives (qualitative methods). This WP, therefore, emphasises the 'learning' dimension of pilots in relation to governance.

•  A Master's degree in Spatial Planning, Human/Environmental Geography, Public Policy/Administration or Public Governance Studies or a related discipline.
• Very good academic results at the Master's degree level.
• An interest in the energy transition, energy systems and governance as evidenced by your Master's thesis and/or other activities.
• Able and willing to work in a multidisciplinary team.
• Willing to undertake teaching and administrative support in parallel with the PhD research.
• Committed to working closely with societal partners and academic partners.
• A collaborator with good communication skills.
• Proficient in both spoken and written Dutch and English.
• Available to start working in June 2020.

Fixed-term contract: You will be appointed 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.

• Employment: 40 hours per week.
• The gross starting salary amounts to €2,325 per month, and will increase to €2,972 in the fourth year (salary scale P).
• In addition to the salary: an 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% end-of-year bonus.
• Duration of the contract: You will be appointed 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.
• The intended start date is 15 June 2020.
• You will be able to make use of our Dual Career Service: our Dual Career Officer will assist with family-related support, such as child care, and help your partner prepare for the local labour market and with finding an occupation.
• Are you interested in our excellent employment conditions?

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 22,000 students and 5,000 employees at Radboud University. And this requires even more talent and collaboration. You have a part to play!

Faculteit der Managementwetenschappen

The Nijmegen School of Management (NSM) is an academic centre of research and higher education at Radboud University (Nijmegen, Netherlands), focusing on institutional and managerial issues concerning complex organisations in both the public and private domains. It covers seven disciplines: business administration, public administration, political science, economics and business economics, environmental studies, human geography, and spatial planning. The NSM strives for a multidisciplinary approach whenever possible. The NSM employs 265 FTEs, 75% of whom are academics. The NSM currently has approximately 4,500 students.

The Department of Planning, Geography, and Environment (GPE) seeks to provide a deep understanding of how places, from the local to global level, are politically and materially shaped, experienced and governed, and to contribute to the development of more sustainable and equitable places. GPE’s approach goes explicitly beyond a government and policy orientation, addressing the deep political and institutional nature of placemaking and spatial-environmental governance. The group seeks to contribute to more future-oriented practices and territorial images. Located at GPE, the Centre for Urban Research (CentUR) investigates the relationship between urban spaces, landscape, energy, health, climate adaptation and mobility from different perspectives.

Research activities fall under the responsibility of the interdisciplinary Institute for Management Research (IMR). Under the motto 'Creating Knowledge for Society', IMR focuses on academic research into the development, design and effectiveness of the public and private structures that regulate, govern or manage human interactions.