Embark on a transformative journey with the HARP project (Hopeful And Resilience Perspective). As a postdoc researcher, you will spearhead research on innovative climate change education strategies in the Netherlands. Join us in creating a brighter future by instilling hope and resilience through education. Collaborate with like-minded partners and make a real impact in addressing climate change. Seize this opportunity to be a catalyst for change. Apply now and be a part of a groundbreaking initiative!

Your job
You participate in the HARP project. This is a collaborative endeavour involving Masaryk University, Utrecht University, and the University of Vienna, that targets the gaps and inconsistencies in Climate Change Education across Europe.

• The primary objective of HARP is to enhance the capacity of the coordinator, as well as advanced partner institutions, for Climate Change Education Research (CCER). This involves strengthening researchers' ability to design and implement large-scale CCER projects, and thereby helping to improve the overall quality of CCER across Europe. To achieve this, the project plans to facilitate a variety of learning experiences, including workshops, summer schools, and mentoring programs that encourage shared learning and expertise.
• The second objective of HARP is to develop a theoretical framework of CCE. The project will conduct joint research projects exploring CCE in formal education, non-formal organizations, and university settings. Four studies will be implemented with a focus on teachers' CCE practices, students' perceptions of climate change and CCE, the effects and students' views of CCE programs, and the socio-economic context of CCE.
• HARP's third objective is to establish a network for CCE and CCER collaboration among various stakeholders across Europe. National stakeholder boards will be set up in each participating country, complemented by an international exploitation board to foster cross-border cooperation and sharing of research findings.

As a postdoc at Utrecht University you will take the lead in local implementation of the project, setting out and participating in HARP studies as well as designing and hosting training for colleagues and early career researchers within and beyond the consortium. Together with the local coordinator you will establish and host the national stakeholder group and design strategies to bring the project’s results to policy and practice. To facilitate collaboration with the partners in the project you will join consortium meetings in the different partner countries, as well as participate in and host research visits among partners. You will travel abroad for occasional project meetings and trainings.

We are looking for an enthusiastic new colleague who meets several or all of the following criteria:

• You have a PhD in a relevant field, such as social science, education science, geoscience, or a similar field.
• You have had a demonstrable first experience as postdoc researcher in which you have been able to develop autonomy and self-leadership.
• You have good knowledge of the field of climate change education and/or adjacent fields such as environmental, sustainability and/or citizenship education.
• You have good knowledge of current quantitative and qualitative research methodologies relevant for the HARP project.
• You have demonstrated your ability to publish in international journals and present your work at international conferences.
• You have experience within educational practice (for example teacher training or experience as a teacher).

We offer:

• a position for 3 years;
• a working week of 20 hours and a gross monthly salary between €3,226 and €5,090 in the case of full-time employment (salary scale 10 under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU));
• 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus;
• a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU.

In addition to the terms of employment laid down in the CAO NU, Utrecht University has a number of schemes and facilities of its own for employees. This includes schemes facilitating professional development, leave schemes and schemes for sports and cultural activities, as well as discounts on software and other IT products. We also offer access to additional employee benefits through our Terms of Employment Options Model. In this way, we encourage our employees to continue to invest in their growth. For more information, please visit Working at Utrecht University.

Universiteit Utrecht

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 strategic themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Pathways to Sustainability. Sharing science, shaping tomorrow.

At the Faculty of Science there are 6 departments to make a fundamental connection with: Biology, Chemistry, Information and Computing Sciences, Mathematics, Pharmaceutical Sciences and Physics. Each of these is made up of distinct institutes that work together to focus on answering some of humanity’s most pressing challenges. More fundamental still are the individual research groups – the building blocks of our ambitious scientific projects.

The position is located in the Science Education group at the Freudenthal Institute (FI). The mission of the FI is to contribute to high-quality education in mathematics and natural sciences through education, research, and professionalization. The FI consists of the groups Mathematics Education, Science Education, Public engagement & Science Communication, History and Philosophy of Science (HPS), and U-Talent. The Science Education group consists of approximately fifteen employees, a couple of postdocs and ten PhD candidates. The group is engaged in teaching, STEM educational research, and outreach activities for the educational field, such as conferences for teachers and teacher educators.

For more information, please contact Jelle Boeve-de Pauw at j.n.a.boeve-depauw@uu.nl.

Do you have a question about the application procedure? Please send an email to science.recruitment@uu.nl.

The interviews are planned for on Wednesday 12 June in the afternoon and on Thursday 13 June. We prefer in person interviews but are open to switch to online.