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Postdoctoral researcher in modelling social dynamics of low-carbon behaviours

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Postdoctoral researcher in modelling social dynamics of low-carbon behaviours

Deadline Published Vacancy ID 1209621

Academic fields

Economics

Job types

Postdoc; Research, development, innovation

Education level

Doctorate

Salary indication

€3974—€5439 per month

Location

Houtlaan 4, 6525 XZ, Nijmegen

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Job description

Nijmegen School of Management is looking for a strong postdoctoral researcher who can support advancing the representation of social systems and behavioral factors in climate-economy-environment modelling. The postholder will contribute to a better understanding of demand-side climate change mitigation through behavioral changes, and the crucial role of social systems in rapid decarbonization.

The desired candidate will contribute to developing modeling methods and data to study the social dynamics of low-carbon behavior changes, such as shifts to plant-based diets, emerging from individual behavior change and in relation to economic, environmental and political factors. They will join and (co-)lead existing research efforts, while helping identify, plan, and create new opportunities and research directions. The successful candidate will represent Radboud University in the international WorldTrans project funded by Horizon Europe, and collaborate with a wide network of leading scientists in modelling human and earth system feedbacks. 
 
This postdoctoral project will mainly involve the extension of the FeliX system dynamics model to capture the individual, social, and structural factors behind behavior change for low-carbon consumption at a global level. Therefore, it will include complementary qualitative and quantitative data and model-based analysis of the feedback mechanisms leading to widespread behavioral changes and their cascading effects on global food and energy demand, as well as climate change mitigation. This postdoctoral role will also involve producing figures, maps, and visualizations to check results and efficiently communicate findings; presenting the methods and results to both technical and non-technical audiences; and writing reports and scientific papers to communicate findings. It is expected that the postdoc will also be responsible for teaching activities for the 0.2 fte, in addition to their research responsibilities.

Requirements

  • You hold a PhD degree in a related field of economics, engineering, or social sciences.
  • You are a motivated researcher on climate change mitigation, and you have domain knowledge in demand-side mitigation, the role of food and energy consumption choices, and the role of psychosocial factors in behavioral changes.
  • You have knowledge of and hands-on experience with quantitative system dynamics modelling.
  • You can fluently use a system dynamics modelling software (preferably Vensim, or Stella, PowerSim, AnyLogic etc.) and scietific programming ability, ideally in Python, or a similar language.
  • You have experience in integrated assessment modelling, modelling of climate, economy, environment interactions, or with models representing human behavior such as social diffusion, innovation adoption, epidemics or behavior change.
  • You are fluent in English; have good presentation skills; and experience in writing scientific publications.
  • You are able to work respectfully in an intercultural environment and on an interdisciplinary project.

Conditions of employment

Fixed-term contract: 2.5 year(s).

  • It concerns an employment for 1.0 FTE.
  • The gross monthly salary amounts to a minimum of €3,974 and a maximum of €5,439 based on a 38-hour working week, depending on previous education and number of years of relevant work experience (salary scale 11).
  • You will receive 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus.
  • It concerns a temporary employment for 2.5 year(s).
  • You will be able to use our Dual Career and Family Care Services. Our Dual Career and Family Care Officer can assist you with family-related support, help your partner or spouse prepare for the local labour market, provide customized support in their search for employment and help your family settle in Nijmegen.
  • Working for us means getting extra days off. In case of full-time employment, you can choose between 30 or 41 days of annual leave instead of the legally allotted 20.
Work and science require good employment practices. This is reflected in Radboud University's primary and secondary employment conditions. You can make arrangements for the best possible work-life balance with flexible working hours, various leave arrangements and working from home. You are also able to compose part of your employment conditions yourself, for example, exchange income for extra leave days and receive a reimbursement for your sports subscription. And of course, we offer a good pension plan. You are given plenty of room and responsibility to develop your talents and realise your ambitions. Therefore, we provide various training and development schemes.

Employer

The Nijmegen School of Management enables students, institutions and companies, societal actors and governments to play their part in a transformation towards sustainable societies. In doing so, the faculty is committed to Radboud University's mission of  contributing to a healthy, free world with equal opportunities for all. In the context of our 'Responsible governance for sustainable societies' mission, we address scientific and societal challenges from a good governance perspective. Our work focuses on the topics Beyond Economy, Climate, Inclusivity, Safety, and Democracy. By building, questioning and extending the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), we acknowledge their interrelatedness and focus on a number of grand challenges within society. We contribute to innovation and sustainable growth on topics such as inequality, gender, decent work and poverty. Furthermore we seek to address and resolve environmental and climate challenges. 

At the Nijmegen School of Management, academic research and teaching are carried out in challenging educational programmes. These programmes are offered in the areas of Business Administration; Economics and Business Economics; Geography, Planning and Environment; Political Science; and Public Administration. Academic research takes place within the Institute for Management Research (IMR). Research is carried out within the above-mentioned domains and in interdisciplinary research groups: the Hotspots. The Nijmegen School of Management currently has 400 FTE staff and approximately 5,000 students.

Radboud University
We want to get the best out of science, others and ourselves. Why? Because this is what the world around us desperately needs. Leading research and education make an indispensable contribution to a healthy, free world with equal opportunities for all. This is what unites the more than 24,000 students and 5,600 employees at Radboud University. And this requires even more talent, collaboration and lifelong learning. You have a part to play!

Radboud University

We want to get the best out of science, others and ourselves. Why? Because this is what the world around us desperately needs. Leading research and education make an indispensable contribution to a healthy, free world with equal opportunities for all.

You have a part to play!