The Environmental Policy group of Wageningen University is looking for a post-doctoral researcher for the Horizon Europe funded programme Source to Seas - Zero Pollution 2030 (SOSZeroPol2030).

SOSZeroPol2030 is in support of the EU's goal of achieving zero pollution in European seas by 2030 as stipulated under the EU Zero Pollution Strategy. SOS-ZEROPOL2030 will co-design, coproduce, and co-deliver a stakeholder led European Seas zero pollution framework that provides practical guidance from 'source to sea' on how to address shortcomings in existing marine pollution management and governance approaches. This framework will identify the main sources, pathways, and effects of the pollutants of microplastics (Tire Wear Particles) and chemicals (PFAS) occurring during, production, use and end-of-life, and the current governance landscape. It will also contribute to knowledge on barriers to effective and efficient prevention, reduction, mitigation and monitoring of marine pollution in European Seas.

As the SOSZeroPol2030 postdoc you develop and operationalize a participatory methodology to develop the zero pollution framework. You will do this by developing an overview of the constraints and best practices of current governance efforts to achieve zero pollution, especially with regard to microplastics (Tire Wear Particles) and chemicals (PFAS) within the EU and its regional seas. This methodology will require you to organize a Living Lab programme to conduct 6 regional Living Labs that will complement and synthesize the interdisciplinary approach to understand the governance of source to sea pathways of microplastic and chemical pollution. You will also develop scenarios through which the zero pollution ambitions of the EU can be achieved.

You will be positioned at the Environmental Policy group and directly collaborate with, and guided by, dr. Astrid Hendriksen and dr. Judith van Leeuwen. SOSZeroPol2030 consortium partners are from different marine related research institutions across several EU countries. The project is coordinated by the Science Foundation Ireland Research Centre for Energy, Climate and Marine research and innovation of the University College of Cork.

• A doctorate degree (PhD) in Environmental social sciences, political science, geography, sociology, social scientific research methodology, or a related field
• Proven experience with social scientific research into complex governance issues, preferably in the sustainability and/or marine domain
• Proven experience with interdisciplinary research methodologies, preferably including living labs (or similar approaches)
• Willingness and commitment to collaborate in a diverse research team and write joint publications in an interdisciplinary setting
• A creative and critical mind towards interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research, and ability to build a network within the domain of the project
  Demonstrated writing skills, including publications in international peer reviewed journals
• Project management skills
• Fluency in English

Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment. A few highlights from our Collective Labour Agreement include:

• sabbatical leave, study leave, and partially paid parental leave;
• working hours that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow for the best possible work-life balance;
• the option to accrue additional compensation / holiday hours by working more, up to 40 hours per week;
• there is a strong focus on vitality and you can make use of the sports facilities available on campus for a small fee;
• a fixed December bonus of 8.3%;
• excellent pension scheme.

We offer you an employment contract for 0.8 FTE for a period of 42 months with a preferred start as close to 1 February 2023 as possible. The maximum gross salary is € 3.974,- per month for a full working week of 38 hours in accordance with the Collective Labor Agreement Dutch Universities. Funding is secured for a two year position. The position is initially for one year but will be extended depending on performance.

Wageningen University & Research encourages internal advancement opportunities and mobility with an internal recruitment policy. There are plenty of options for personal initiative in a learning environment, and we provide excellent training opportunities. We are offering a unique position in an international environment with a pleasant and open working atmosphere.
You are going to work at the greenest and most innovative campus in Holland, and at a university that has been chosen as the "Best University" in the Netherlands for the 17th consecutive time.

Coming from abroad
Wageningen University & Research is the university and research centre for life sciences. The themes we deal with are relevant to everyone around the world and Wageningen, therefore, has a large international community and a lot to offer to international employees. Applicants from abroad moving to the Netherlands may qualify for a special tax relief, known as the 30% ruling. Our team of advisors on Dutch immigration procedures will help you with the visa application procedures for yourself and, if applicable, for your family.

Feeling welcome also has everything to do with being well informed. Wageningen University & Research's International Community page contains practical information about what we can do to support international employees and students coming to Wageningen. Furthermore, we can assist you with any additional advice and information about helping your partner to find a job, housing, schooling, and other issues.

Wageningen University & Research

Wageningen University & Research
The mission of Wageningen University & Research is "To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life". Under the banner Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen University and the specialised research institutes of the Wageningen Research Foundation have joined forces in contributing to finding solutions to important questions in the domain of healthy food and living environment. With its roughly 30 branches, 7,200 employees (6,400 fte) and 13,200 students and over 150.000 participants to WUR's Life Long Learning, Wageningen University & Research is one of the leading organisations in its domain. The unique Wageningen approach lies in its integrated approach to issues and the collaboration between different disciplines.

Read the 5 reasons why your future colleagues enjoy working at WUR and watch this video to get an idea of our green campus!

We will recruit for the vacancy ourselves, so no employment agencies please. However, sharing in your network is appreciated.