Postdoc Position: Citizen and Expert Narratives of the EU Energy Crisis

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Postdoc Position: Citizen and Expert Narratives of the EU Energy Crisis

Do you have an economics or a political science background? Are you interested in EU energy and climate policy? Are you keen on studying the narratives people employ to explain rising energy prices? Please apply at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.

Deadline Published on Vacancy ID 4210

Academic fields

Natural sciences; Economics

Job types

Postdoc

Education level

Doctorate

Salary indication

€3226—€5090 per month

Location

De Boelelaan 1111, 1081HV, Amsterdam

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Job description

The Institute for Environmental Studies (IVM) of the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam invites applications for a postdoctoral researcher at the departments of Environmental Economics (EE) and of Environmental Policy Analysis (EPA).

This position is supported by an IVM-funded interdisciplinary research project connecting economics and political science. The key theme of the position are the citizen and expert narratives, i.e., the stories people tell to organize, explain and make sense of the world, of the EU energy crisis of 2022-2023. You will study (1) the narratives EU citizens use to explain the causes of and policy solutions to the energy crisis using a large-N survey with representative samples from the EU-12 countries, (2) the narratives experts use to explain the causes of and policy solutions to the energy crisis using an elite survey with policymakers and academic experts, and (3) the differences between citizens and expert narratives and the role of media using qualitative document analysis. The project coordinators, and your future collaborators, are Dr. Madeline Werthschulte, an economist, and Dr. Mathieu Blondeel, a political scientist.

Your duties
  • conduct research on the narratives to explain the causes of and policy solutions to rising energy prices
  • publish research results in international peer-reviewed journals and impact oriented journals
  • contribute to the educational programmes at the IVM, such as the supervision of Bachelor and Master students
  • contribute to the administrative responsibilities of the EE and EPA departments and to IVM-wide tasks

Requirements

  • a PhD in economics, political science or a related discipline, specialising in energy or climate policies
  • strong quantitative skills. Experiences in survey and/or machine-learning methods is an advantage
  • experience with qualitative research, such as document and content analysis
  • a proven interest in interdisciplinary work
  • excellent proficiency and communication skills in English

As a university, we strive for equal opportunities for all, recognising that diversity takes many forms. We believe that diversity in all its complexity is invaluable for the quality of our teaching, research and service. We are always looking for talent with diverse backgrounds and experiences. This also means that we are committed to creating an inclusive community so that we can use diversity as an asset.

We realise that each individual brings a unique set of skills, expertise and mindset. Therefore we are happy to invite anyone who recognises themselves in the profile to apply, even if you do not meet all the requirements.

Conditions of employment

Fixed-term contract: 1 year.

An exciting postdoc position in a socially-engaged organisation with a supportive project team and an active early-career scientist community. At VU Amsterdam, you contribute to education, research and service for a better world. And that is valuable. So in return for your efforts, we offer you:
  • a salary of minimum € 3.226,00 and maximum € 5.090,00 gross per month, on a full-time basis. This is based on UFO profile Researcher 4. The exact salary depends on your education and experience.
  • a position for at least 0.8 FTE. Your employment contract will initially start with a 1-year contract. If there is sufficient perspective, this will be extended to a total of 2,75 years (33 months). The expected start date is 1 December 2024, ending 31 August 2027.

We also offer you attractive fringe benefits and arrangements. Some examples:
  • a full-time 38-hour working week comes with a holiday leave entitlement of 232 hours per year. If you choose to work 40 hours, you have 96 extra holiday leave hours on an annual basis. For part-timers, this is calculated pro rata.
  • 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus
  • solid pension scheme (ABP)
  • contribution to commuting expenses
  • optional model for designing a personalised benefits package

Employer

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Faculty of Science
Researchers and students at VU Amsterdam’s Faculty of Science tackle fundamental and complex scientific problems to help pave the way for a sustainable and healthy future. From forest fires to big data, from obesity to malnutrition, and from molecules to the moon: we cover the full spectrum of the natural sciences. Our teaching and research have a strong experimentally technical, computational and interdisciplinary nature.

We work on new solutions guided by value-driven, interdisciplinary methodologies. We are committed to research, valorisation and training socially engaged citizens of the world who will make valuable contributions to a sustainable, healthy future.

Are you interested in joining the Faculty of Science? You will join undergraduate students, PhD candidates and researchers at the biggest sciences faculty in the Netherlands. You will combine a professional focus with a broad view of the world. We are proud of our collegial working climate, characterised by committed staff, a pragmatic attitude and engagement in the larger whole. The faculty is home to over 11,000 students enrolled in 40 study programmes. It employs over 1,600 professionals spread across 10 academic departments.

About the Institute for Environmental Studies (IVM)
Established in 1971, IVM is a leading environmental research institute that is internationally recognised for its high quality research output in a range of environmental disciplines, as well as for its interdisciplinary work. The mission of the institute is to contribute to sustainable development and care for the environment through scientific research and teaching. IVM aims to do excellent problem-oriented research that is useful to a wide range of stakeholders in the Netherlands and internationally. A unique strength of our research is to understand sustainability problems in their social and economic context. IVM’s research community works within four departments: Environmental Economics; Environmental Geography, Environmental Policy Analysis; and Water and Climate Risk. Since 2001 IVM has been part of the Faculty of Science at VU Amsterdam (legal name Stichting VU).

The department of Environmental Economics (EE) leads the institute’s efforts in improving insights into the interaction between the environment and the economy. The department is one of the main groups of environmental economists in Europe, consisting of around 40 scientific staff and PhD researchers. The department strategy is to consolidate and further strengthen its position as a major player in the European field of environmental economics. Important fields of application include climate change, energy, circular economy, food, water, and ecosystem services. The philosophy of the EE department is to closely integrate its research projects with its teaching programme and to initiate and conduct research jointly with stakeholders and collaborating institutes.

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam stands for values-driven education and research. We are open-minded experts with the ability to think freely. - a broader mind. Maintaining an entrepreneurial perspective and concentrating on diversity, significance and humanity, we work on sustainable solutions with social impact. By joining forces, across the boundaries of disciplines, we work towards a better world for people and planet. Together we create a safe and respectful working and study climate, and an inspiring environment for education and research. Learn more about our codes of conduct

We are located on one physical campus, in the heart of Amsterdam's Zuidas business district, with excellent location and accessibility. Over 5,500 staff work at the VU and over 30,000 students attend academic education.

Diversity
Diversity is the driving force of the VU. The VU wants to be accessible and receptive to diversity in disciplines, cultures, ideas, nationalities, beliefs, preferences and worldviews. We believe that trust, respect, interest and differences lead to new insights and innovation, to sharpness and clarity, to excellence and a broader understanding.

We stand for an inclusive community and believe that diversity and internationalisation contribute to the quality of education, research and our services.

Therefore, we are always searching for people whose backgrounds and experience contribute to the diversity of the VU community.

Working at VU Amsterdam

Working at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam means contributing to a better world. Working beyond the confidence of your own field, working with an open mind and working for the benefit of society.

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