New PhD position at ISS: Valuing nature in the circular economy

Applications are invited for an ‘Early Stage Researcher’ (ESR) to pursue a PhD at the International Institute of Social Studies on the political ecology/economy of value within the context of scholarly debates on and practical efforts towards the creation of a ‘circular economy’.  While the ESR will be based within the EU-funded Realising the Transition to the Circular Economy (ReTraCE) project, the successful candidate will be expected to develop her/his own doctoral research agenda.

Applicants are encouraged to develop their proposals with a view to articulating a theoretically-grounded critique of the valuation of nature within the context of the ‘circular economy’ in particular and the Anthropocene in general. Such a critique would be expected to pay particular attention to the justice and equity implications of such valuation mechanisms.

The position is fully-funded for 36 months and open to applications from non-EU candidates as well. ESRs can be of any nationality. They are required to undertake physical, transnational mobility (i.e. move from one country to another) when taking up their appointment. At the time of selection by the host organisation, researchers must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of their host organisation for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to their recruitment. Short stays, such as holidays, are not taken into account.

Recruitment of Marie Sklodowska-Curie PhD Position as part of Realising the Transition to the Circular Economy (ReTraCE)

Overview:

The EU-funded Realising the Transition to the Circular Economy (ReTraCE) network brings together an exceptionally strong team of world-leading experts from a wide set of beneficiaries and partners in order to achieve breakthroughs in understanding how the transition towards a Circular Economy (CE) can be realised in a successful way in the European context, both within existing organisations and industries as well as through innovative and sustainable business models. The proposed approach is inherently multi-disciplinary, drawing upon research that will advance significantly the state-of-the-art in terms of the current understanding of the applicability of the CE paradigm from Economic, Environmental and Social points of view, providing policy insights and implications for practice. The consortium of 10 beneficiaries (including 7 academic and 3 non-academic groups from the UK, The Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, Italy, Greece and Germany) will design and deliver world class multidisciplinary training to 15 Early Stage Researchers (ESRs), offering them an extended and valuable program of international exchanges and secondments through the wide network of partner organisations (from public, private and third sector) involved in the proposal.

• Postgraduate degree in political economy, political ecology, ecological economics, environmental sociology or a cognate field;

• good verbal and writing skills in English and where applicable be proficient in the relevant language for PhD project;

• be highly motivated, have a personal commitment to the research project as a whole, proven ability to work in a network and an aptitude to meet challenges;

• be an early career researcher with less than 4 years of research since graduation.

ESR's can be of any nationality. They are required to undertake physical, transnational mobility (i.e. move from one country to another) when taking up their appointment. At the time of selection by the host organisation, researchers must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of their host organisation for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to their recruitment. Short stays, such as holidays, are not taken into account.

Fixed-term contract: 36 months.

Work conditions:

• A full time contract with a competitive salary for 36 months. The remuneration of the recruited PhD is based on a monthly payment made up of living allowances, family allowance and mobility expenses where applicable and according to MSCA Horizon 2020 requirements.

• Office space in a professional and stimulating environment.

• Family friendly working conditions.

Erasmus University Rotterdam

The Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR), named after Rotterdam-born humanist and theologian Erasmus, is a research university with a strong international orientation and a pronounced social focus, both in its education and research activities. On the lively, modern campus, more than 28.000 students and scholars of more than 100 nationalities are constantly encouraged to develop their talents and meet their ambition. Our more than 2700 scientists and employees work together with all our students to solve challenges faced by global society, drawing their inspiration from the consistently dynamic and cosmopolitan city of Rotterdam. The academic education offered at our faculties is intensive, engaging and strongly focused on practical application. We increasingly perform our research in multidisciplinary teams, which are closely interwoven with international networks. In terms of research impact and the quality of its degree programmes, EUR can compete with the foremost universities in Europe, which is reflected in its consistent top-100 position in most major universities rankings. Erasmus University Rotterdam’s key values are daring, curiosity, social involvement, breaking new ground and striving for success http://www.eur.nl