Over the last two years, the Deep Transitions team, led by Professor Johan Schot, developed a philosophy for investing in multiple-system change: Transformative Investment (TI). The Deep Transitions Lab, which will drive the momentum behind TI, is our next step. The lab brings together researchers, policy makers and public and private investors who are committed to implementing transformative investment in their organisations.

You will join the team at Utrecht University in the historic city centre, where we work in a hybrid office setting. The team in Utrecht is a dynamic and passionate international group of six academics and professional staff that works together in close collaboration. We care a lot about what we do and strive to achieve the best possible outcomes, always. Other colleagues of TIPC and Deep Transitions are located in the UK, Spain and Estonia. We have short lines of communication to collaborate effectively across projects. A few times a year we organise face-to-face meetings with the entire team, usually in Utrecht, Brighton, or Valencia. 

Are you the experienced communications officer who can maximise the impact of the Deep Transitions Lab and accelerate the transition towards sustainability we are looking for? You will be a key player in a dedicated team consisting of researchers and professional staff and will be responsible for developing a communication strategy for the Lab which fits the innovative, action-driven and impact-oriented nature of our work.

As a communications specialist you will be part of our impact-driven, international, interdisciplinary team at the Utrecht University Centre for Global Challenges (UGlobe). This position consists of two components and can be combined and filled by one person or two persons.

Component 1.
Communications officer (0.4-0.6 FTE)
The communications officer is responsible for proactively managing the external communication channels of the Deep Transitions research project as well as Johan Schot's personal channels. This entails executing the communications strategy, giving inputs for improvement, and developing high-quality and engaging content.

Tasks and responsibilities:

• Developing and writing accurate and engaging content for external communications, including blog posts, newsletters, press releases, web copy and social media posts.
• Develop briefings and manage the creative process of developing infographics, videos and web pages in cooperation with third party suppliers.
• Ensure compliance with the Deep Transitions brand guidelines across all materials and channels, as well as alignment with and support of Johan Schot’s personal communications, including social media, presentations, newsletter, research briefs and project material.

Component 2
Strategic communications specialist (0.4-0.6 FTE)
In this diverse role you will work at the forefront of sustainability transitions research and develop an impact strategy for the Deep Transitions Lab. As strategic communications specialist you actively participate in project work to make the translation between the academic theory and its application in the Lab.

Tasks and responsibilities:

• Prepare, manage, provide and advise on strategic communications for the Deep Transitions Lab, including communicating research outputs to external stakeholders and/or translation of scientific findings into policy and practice.
• Proactively identify and implement opportunities for maximising our visibility and impact among our primary target groups (investors, policy makers, fellow academics and the media) as well as within Utrecht University.
• Liaise with industry partners and researchers, both within Utrecht University and at other institutions and partner organisations such as the Transformative Innovation Policy Consortium (TIPC). 

The successful candidate:

• has a Bachelor's or Master's degree in communications, journalism, media studies or related disciplines.
• has excellent written communication skills, with the ability to produce clear, succinct texts that communicate complex ideas, concepts and scientific research outputs clearly and effectively;
• is a results-oriented self-starter. You enjoy taking initiative, bringing your unique skills and expertise to the table, and like working in a dynamic environment where you are the communications specialist who advises an interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary team;
• preferably, has knowledge of and affinity with topics such as the climate crisis, biodiversity loss, global inequality and sustainable finance. As such, you follow global developments and tie our work to the broader societal and environmental debate; 
• is a native speaker in English (or close to native), Dutch is an advantage but not required;
• has strong organising skills, and is capable of project managing their work effectively;
• is tech-savvy and has excellent digital skills in programs such as MS Office (powerpoint), WordPress, Webflow Slack, Miro, Adobe, and various social media platforms.
• has a proven track-record of the skills required to successfully fulfil the tasks and requirements as listed in either one or both of the components;
• has experience in an academic environment can be an advantage, but this is certainly not a requirement.

We offer a temporary position (0.4 - 1.0 FTE) for one year in an international working environment. The gross salary - depending on previous qualifications and experience  - ranges between €3,098 and €4,670 per month (scale P9-10 according to the Collective Employment Agreement of the Dutch Universities) for a full-time employment. Besides that, you will receive a holiday allowance of 8% and a year-end bonus of 8.3%.

In addition, Utrecht University offers excellent secondary conditions, including an attractive retirement scheme, (partly paid) parental leave and flexible employment conditions (multiple choice model). For more information, please visit working at Utrecht University.

A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University, the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major societal themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Sustainability.

The Faculty of Humanities has around 7,000 students and 1,100 staff members. It comprises four knowledge domains: Philosophy and Religious Studies, History and Art History, Media and Culture Studies, and Languages, Literature and Communication. With its research and education in these fields, the faculty aims to contribute to a better understanding of the Netherlands and Europe in a rapidly changing social and cultural context. The enthusiastic and committed colleagues and the excellent amenities in the historic city centre of Utrecht, where the faculty is housed, contribute to an inspiring working environment.

Johan Schot is the founder and academic director of the Transformative Innovation Policy Consortium (TIPC)  and the Deep Transitions research project, which are jointly coordinated by Utrecht University and the University of Sussex. Within these projects, Schot and his team work at the forefront of research into sustainability transitions to develop concepts and methodologies that accelerate socio-technical system change and transformation towards sustainability. In the latest phase of the Deep Transitions project, Schot set up a Global Investors Panel, a cohort of 16 public and private investors, with whom the research team collaborated to develop a new Investment Philosophy for Transformative Investment.