PhD positions (11.0 FTE) / Postdocs (2.0 FTE) ‘Sustainable Cooperation’ (SCOOP)

What keeps cooperation going?
Resilient societies succeed in maintaining high levels of care, work and inclusion, despite the manifold challenges posed by changing circumstances, which currently range from an aging population to climate change. Key to a society’s resilience is its ability to sustain cooperation within and between families, organizations, and communities. But why is it that some cooperative arrangements thrive, whereas others fall into decay? This puzzle of sustainable cooperation is at the core of the SCOOP program. Uniting scholars from sociology, psychology, history, and philosophy, SCOOP will train a new generation of interdisciplinary researchers and practitioners to develop evidence-based solutions to this puzzle. SCOOP will develop roadmaps for effective policy strategies and solutions for some of societies’ most pressing challenges. How can we find sustainable arrangements for the balance of work and care? How sustainable are current arrangements for the integration of newcomers in society? How can we resolve the tension between the interests of employees and other stakeholders within and outside organisations? How should responsibilities be distributed across the members of workgroups or decision-making bodies? We aim to attract outstanding PhD students who are motivated to participate in a challenging interdisciplinary research program focused on these and related questions.

A total of 60 PhD projects in the SCOOP research program will be dedicated to these questions. About 20 PhD projects have started already, or are starting in September 2018. We are now inviting candidates for a new group of 11 PhD projects. In addition, there are vacancies for two postdoc positions (two years). Detailed descriptions of these projects can be found on the SCOOP website: https://www.scoop-program.org/opportunities2/384-new-vacancies-11-phd-positions-sustainable-cooperation

Candidates who graduated in one of the social and behavioural sciences or in history or philosophy are invited to apply. Given the interdisciplinary character of the SCOOP program, graduates of other disciplines are also invited to apply. Although most applicants will have been trained in a monodisciplinary master program, we look for candidates with an open mind and open to the challenge to broaden their horizon and explore other disciplines.

The University of Groningen offers a temporary full-time appointment for one year in the first instance. After a positive evaluation the appointment will be extended to a total of four years maximum. A salary is offered starting at € 2,222 gross per month in the first year and increasing up to € 2,840 gross per month in the last year. There are no tuition fees.

Salaries for Postdoctoral researchers depend on qualifications and work experience, and range between € 3,111 gross per month up to a maximum of € 4,084 gross per month (salary scale 10 Dutch Universities) for a full-time position excluding a 8% holiday allowance and a 8.3% end of the year bonus. The UFO-profile Researcher (scale 10) applies.

How to apply
You may apply for this position until 21 June 23:59 h / before 22 June 2018 Dutch local time by means of the application form (click on "Apply" below on the advertisement on the university website).

Application
If you are interested in these PhD positions, please use the 'apply now' button. You need to upload the following documents (in pdf):
• First attachment: A cover letter explaining your motivation, background and qualifications for the position.
• Second attachment: A detailed Curriculum Vitae, including relevant extra-curricular activities and work experience.
• Extra attachment: Copies of diplomas and a list of your courses taken and grades obtained.
• Extra attachment 1: Proof of ability to communicate and write in English.
• Extra attachment 2: Contact information of two references.

Please also indicate the project(s) you are interested in – more than 1 preference is possible and use the following format: project number first preference / project number second preference / project number third preference.

Please keep in mind; you can upload only 5 documents up to 2 MB each.

Interviews will be conducted on 30 and 31 August 2018.

Unsolicited marketing is not appreciated.

SCOOP is a research and training center dedicated to the interdisciplinary study of sustainable cooperation as a key feature of resilient societies. The center connects research groups from sociology, psychology, history, philosophy, public administration, research methods, and statistics. In May 2017, the research program ‘Sustainable Cooperation – Roadmaps to a Resilient Society’ was awarded a research grant in the NWO Gravitation program

The SCOOP program is carried out at the universities of Groningen and Utrecht, but also at Amsterdam VU, Rotterdam, and Nijmegen. Candidates will be employed at one of these universities. They will participate in an interdisciplinary inter-university SCOOP training program, while working on their own project in close collaboration with colleague PhDs, under supervision of an interdisciplinary team of senior researchers.