The programme group on Governance and Inclusive Development (GID) within the department Human Geography, Planning and International Development is looking for a post-doctoral researcher to support the work on the project 'Water Allocation and Rights Study'. GID works on issues of governance and inclusive development with a focus on social justice, environmental issues and the politics of knowledge. Our staff conduct research on issues such as climate change and water, food governance and land, migration, peace and education, with particular attention to issues of justice and equity. We also run the Master's and Research Master's on International Development Studies as well as the Masters on Advanced Environmental Geography and teach in a variety of courses within GPIO and across the university.

The work for this position is linked to a research project on water allocation principles, and the institutional and regulatory systems for water allocation and water rights, that the University of Amsterdam (UvA) and partners are conducting for the Government of the Netherlands. The postdoc will conduct a content analysis of the property rights regimes in 40+ countries; an analysis of the best practices in water allocation and reallocation; case studies; and develop a database and interactive atlas. It will complement the existing work of the UvA for the Global Commission on the Economics of Water established by the Foreign Affairs Ministry.

What are you going to do

You will be working as a post-doctoral researcher for 18 months (end of project September 30th, 2024) in a research project that focuses on water property, use rights and water allocation systems, and how to improve water governance.

You will/tasks:

• The work for this position is linked to a research project on water allocation principles, and the institutional and regulatory systems for water allocation and water rights, which includes a content analysis of the property rights regimes in 40+ countries; an analysis of the best practices in water allocation and reallocation; case studies; and developing a database and interactive atlas;
• writing background reports based on literature reviews and content analysis;
• publish articles in cooperation with colleagues, in appropriate high-level journals;
• managing a database of relevant laws and policies and an interactive water atlas;
• write policy briefs;
• assist in the organisation of conferences, meetings and other events;
• assist in project management;
• undertake any other duties relevant to the programme of research.

We are looking for a person who can work within a team, can think out of the box, can cope with deadlines; is motivated, dedicated, efficient and hard working. We are looking for a pro-active and independent person with a problem-solving attitude.

Your experience and profile:

Education and experience

Essential:

• A PhD in a relevant discipline (development economics, geography, development studies, water management and governance, law, other relevant discipline);
• affinity with water issues and knowledge about the water challenge;
• evidence of ability to publish (in high-ranking journals);
• extensive research experience in the relevant subject area of the research project;
• this includes excellent methodological knowledge and methodology development experience.

Skills & Knowledge

Essential:

• Excellent interpersonal, networking, and communication skills;
• ability to work with scientists and policy makers from a diverse range of backgrounds and countries;
• strong conceptual and analytical skills;
• proven problem-solving skills;
• skills with databases, excel, GIS, etc.;
• independent worker, manage deadlines, stress resistant;
• excellent ICT skills (in particular qualitative data collection and analysis);
• proven excellent writing and communication skills.

Desirable:

• A good understanding of the research environment in a university and in the countries concerned;
• skills related to producing highest-quality products for communication for other (non-academic) audiences;
• skills related to writing policy documents and related publications.

The position concerns temporary employment of 38 hours (1 fte) for a maximum term of 18 months (end of project September 30th, 2024) following a positive assessment at the end of two months and barring altered circumstances. We will put together a curriculum which will also include the opportunity to attend training courses and both national and international events. For this position the University Job Classification profile 'Onderzoeker (Researcher) 3' applies. Our preferred starting date is 1 April 2023.

Depending on your experience, the minimum salary is €3974 and the maximum salary is €4257 gross per month based on a 38-hour working week, in keeping with salary scale 11.0 - 11.3, as per the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities.

We additionally offer an extensive package of secondary benefits, including 8% holiday allowance and a year-end bonus of 8.3%.

The UvA offers excellent possibilities for further professional development and education.

What else do we offer

• a position in which initiative and input are highly valued;
• an enthusiastic and warm team that is open to new colleagues;
• an inspiring academic and international working environment in the heart of Amsterdam.

Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences

The University of Amsterdam is the largest university in the Netherlands, with the broadest spectrum of degree programmes. It is an intellectual hub with 39,000 students, 6,000 employees and 3,000 doctoral students who are all committed to a culture of inquiring minds.

A challenging work environment with a variety of duties and ample scope for individual initiative and development within an inspiring organization. The social and behavioural sciences play a leading role in addressing the major societal challenges faced by the world, the Netherlands and Amsterdam, now and in the future. Want to know more about our organization? Read more about working at the University of Amsterdam.

At the department Human Geography, Planning and International Development, research is organized in four research groups including the Governance and Inclusive Development (GID) research group, Urban Geographies, Urban Planning, Political and Economic Geographies.

The Governance and Inclusive Development group scrutinizes development dynamics at various geographical, jurisdictional and temporal scales, realizing that these are situated in different but interconnected multi-level processes. GID analyses and rethinks dominant development paradigms, and engages with international, national and local development practices, policies and debates to identify viable and socially just alternatives. The team focuses on the strategic issues of multi-level (glocal) governance and inclusive development.