Project description
Creativity and innovation hold the potential to help us address urgent socio-ecological problems, such as the depletion of natural resources, climate change, and social inequality. However, the discourse on sustainable innovation is strongly focused on additive solutions, such as the development and adoption of new technologies or regulations. Ironically, this often results in solutions that increase (unsustainable) production and/or generate new forms of consumption, thus reproducing or exacerbating existing problems, rather than solving them. In contrast, sustainable innovation also requires subtractive solutions guided by a “less is more” mindset; for example, eliminating certain products, simplifying certain regulations, or relying on solutions that require fewer resources. Unfortunately, recent research shows that people have a pervasive bias towards additive solutions, and ignore subtractive changes – even if these have the potential to solve a problem more efficiently. The goal of this project therefore is to gain a better understanding of the nature, causes, and moderators of this additive bias, with the ultimate goal of obtaining a better balance between additive and subtractive change. The interdisciplinary nature of the project means that we aim to approach this topic from multiple perspectives and on multiple levels (individual and organizational).

The PhD student will conduct original scientific research and disseminate this research in peer-reviewed academic and practitioner publications, conference presentations, and will ultimately deliver a PhD thesis. The supervision team consists of Dr Diana Rus and Dr Eric Rietzschel from the Organizational Psychology department (Faculty of Behavioral and Social Sciences) and Prof. Bernard Nijstad (promotor) from the Human Resource Management and Organizational Behavior Department (Faculty of Economics and Business). The PhD student will be enrolled in the Graduate School of Economics & Business.

The PhD student is expected to:

- have a Master degree in the social sciences (e.g., psychology, business management, sociology, innovation management, or economics)
- have strong quantitative and qualitative research skills
- have a strong interest in innovation and societal change
- have an interdisciplinary background, or affinity with working in an interdisciplinary team
- be able to show perseverance, flexibility, project management and collaboration skills
- be fluent in English (both oral and written)
- be able to finish the PhD thesis in four years
- enjoy planning and taking initiatives
- enjoy academic writing and have the desire to publish
- be able and willing to work in Groningen, in an international and interdisciplinary environment
- formulate a research proposal, eventually to be developed further together with the supervision team.

Fixed-term contract: 48 months.

The University of Groningen offers scholarships for PhD students for a period of 4 years under the condition of a positive assessment at the end of the first year. The successful candidate will receive a gross scholarship of € 2,249 per month, of which wage tax and social insurance premiums will be deducted. For more information on the RUG PhD scholarship programme and its benefits please check the website at: http://www.rug.nl/education/phd-programmes/phd-scholarship-programme/

Starting date: 1 September 2022

An assessment may be part of the procedure, consisting of psychological tests and an interview.

Faculty of Economics and Business / Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences

Since its foundation in 1614, the University of Groningen has enjoyed an international reputation as a dynamic and innovative centre of higher education offering high-quality teaching and research. Balanced study and career paths in a wide variety of disciplines encourage the approximately 36.000 students and researchers to develop their own individual talents. Belonging to the best research universities in Europe and joining forces with prestigious partner universities and networks, the University of Groningen is truly an international place of knowledge.

Faculty of Economics and Business and Faculty of Behavorial and Social Sciences
The Faculty of Economics and Business has an inspiring study and working environment for students and employees. International accreditation enables the Faculty to assess performance against the highest international standards. It also creates an exciting environment of continuous improvement. FEB's programmes, academic staff and research do well on various excellence ranking lists.

The Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences (FBSS) is a center of knowledge focusing on individuals and society. The Faculty studies issues related to human behaviour, the (social) relationships between people and society as a whole. This includes the study of how people function under normal circumstances, but also of the problems encountered by individuals or groups, and how these can be resolved or prevented. Part of this Faculty is the Department of Organizational Psychology, which (a) provides academic education at the undergraduate and graduate levels, and (b) conducts high-quality research on various aspects of work, organization, and personnel psychology.

The graduate schools of both faculties have one interdisciplinary PhD scholarship available.