DRIFT is seeking to expand its team with a new researcher, to support on-going and new research projects and to support bringing science to practice in consultancy and education. We are seeking a driven, socially engaged and outstanding researcher interested in sustainability transitions in general and in the social dimensions of energy transitions in particular.

The researcher will spend the majority of his/her time most likely working on the EU-funded PROSEU (PROSumers for the Energy Union: mainstreaming active participation of citizens in the energy transition) research project and the EU-funded Energy Shifts coordination and support action. But the projects he or she works on might be adapted during the contract period and especially if the contract is prolonged.

We seek a motivated transdisciplinary researcher that can work at the interface of theory and practice. Experience in working with non-profit and community actors and policy actors in designing, implementing and/or analysing participatory processes is desired.

Besides the PROSEU and Energy Shifts projects, the researcher will support acquisition of research proposals, bridge science to practice in consultancy projects and support education with DRIFT’s Transition Academy.

• A completed university B.Sc./B.A. and M.Sc./M.A. degree in Environmental Science, Planning, Sociology, Political Science, Innovation Studies or similar, preferably with knowledge on energy;

• Preferably, professional experience of 1-3 years, or demonstrable relevant experience;

• Ability to connect theory with practice and preferably a proven experience in transdisciplinary research;

• Strong academic and professional writing skills in both English and Dutch is a prerequisite;

• Intercultural flexibility and remote communication skills (much of the communications and project activities will happen virtually using emails, Skype and other teleconference tools);

• Independent, proactive, pragmatic and chaos-resistant.

Fixed-term contract: One year (with the intention to prolong).

Duration of contract:  One year (with the intention to prolong) 1,0 FTE (0,8 FTE can be discussed)

Start of contract: as soon as possible

About DRIFT

The Dutch Research Institute for Transitions is an action research institute located at the Erasmus University of Rotterdam in the Netherlands. Founded in 2004, Drift evolved from a Dutch based research institute to an internationally oriented institute with worldwide networks, projects and contributions in the field of sustainability transitions. We are a young, ambitious and interdisciplinary group of researchers, trainers and consultants that combine academia with reflexive activism. Our backgrounds range from innovation studies and environmental science, to sociology, political science, policy analysis, geography, anthropology, engineering, history, as well as economics and philosophy. Drift aims to understand, facilitate and accelerate sustainability transitions, by putting scientific theory into practice and by implementing and developing innovative governance approaches, such as Transition Management. Next to (action) research, Drift advises governments and companies within the Netherlands, Europe and non-European countries. Furthermore, Drift is actively involved in education through multiple courses, coaching trajectories, workshops, in-company trainings and creative educational experiments.