PhD Social processes of sociotechnical transitions experiments (1.0 FTE)
PhD Social processes of sociotechnical transitions experiments (1.0 FTE)
You cannot apply for this job anymore (deadline was 15 Jan 2023).
Browse the current job offers or choose an item in the top navigation above.
Job description
Project: Social processes of sociotechnical transitions experiments – the case of island energy
The high level aim of this project is to advance understanding of actor-level processes in energy transitions and particularly associated experimentation, drawing on social theory. Using a comparative design, the more specific aim is to understand the micro-dynamics of differing institutionalization and structuration processes: why energy technology experiments take place and are sustained in some contexts and not in others. The empirical cases involve islands and tidal/marine energy in the British Channel Islands and in the Netherlands. The rationale is to support understanding of energy decarbonization processes at the micro-scale. The work builds on the small but developing literature that seeks to understand connections between actor-level and larger processes in transitions, as well as the role of geography in transitions, including the roles of periphery and energy security concerns. The research design is that of qualitative case studies and the data will also be primarily qualitative.
Responsibilities and tasks:
• to conduct research that results in a dissertation and is in line with the objectives and requirements of the project
• to organize and execute the data collection and analysis
• to publish the results of the research in international scientific journals relevant to the sociotechnical transitions community
• to present the research findings to fellow scientists and collaborate as appropriate
• to provide a limited number of educational activities relating to the work of IREES, particularly relating to science and society.
The high level aim of this project is to advance understanding of actor-level processes in energy transitions and particularly associated experimentation, drawing on social theory. Using a comparative design, the more specific aim is to understand the micro-dynamics of differing institutionalization and structuration processes: why energy technology experiments take place and are sustained in some contexts and not in others. The empirical cases involve islands and tidal/marine energy in the British Channel Islands and in the Netherlands. The rationale is to support understanding of energy decarbonization processes at the micro-scale. The work builds on the small but developing literature that seeks to understand connections between actor-level and larger processes in transitions, as well as the role of geography in transitions, including the roles of periphery and energy security concerns. The research design is that of qualitative case studies and the data will also be primarily qualitative.
Responsibilities and tasks:
• to conduct research that results in a dissertation and is in line with the objectives and requirements of the project
• to organize and execute the data collection and analysis
• to publish the results of the research in international scientific journals relevant to the sociotechnical transitions community
• to present the research findings to fellow scientists and collaborate as appropriate
• to provide a limited number of educational activities relating to the work of IREES, particularly relating to science and society.
Specifications
- max. €3247 per month
- Groningen View on Google Maps
:fill(white)/logos/rug-en-wide.gif)
University of Groningen
Requirements
• have a (Research) Master's degree in an environmental social science discipline or topic, ideally drawing on social theory
• have a good academic track record
• be enthusiastic about writing international publications and a PhD dissertation
• have excellent academic English writing skills
• have substantial experience of qualitative research designs
• have good social and communication skills and are willing to work with other team members
• have good organizational skills and the motivation to organize and realize data collection
• have demonstrable competences in conceptual and theoretical capacity, presenting, planning, organizing, and monitoring
• have an interest in contributing to environmental social science teaching.
• have a good academic track record
• be enthusiastic about writing international publications and a PhD dissertation
• have excellent academic English writing skills
• have substantial experience of qualitative research designs
• have good social and communication skills and are willing to work with other team members
• have good organizational skills and the motivation to organize and realize data collection
• have demonstrable competences in conceptual and theoretical capacity, presenting, planning, organizing, and monitoring
• have an interest in contributing to environmental social science teaching.
Conditions of employment
Fixed-term contract: 48 months.
The successful candidate will be offered, following the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities:• a salary of € 2,541 gross per month in the first year, up to a maximum of € 3,247 gross per month in the fourth and final year for a full-time working week
• a holiday allowance of 8% gross annual income and an an 8.3% year-end bonus
• a full-time (1.0 FTE) position for four years; first, you will get a temporary position of one year with the option of renewal for another three years; extension of the contract is contingent on sufficient progress in the first year so that successful completion of the PhD thesis within the contract period is to be expected.
A PhD training programme is part of the agreement and the candidate will be enrolled in the Graduate School of the Faculty of Science and Engineering.
Candidates are expected to start preferably Spring/early Summer 2023
