Postdoctoral Researcher Understanding personal and social factors that shape sustainability transitions in the (Dutch) pension

Did you know that the Dutch pension and insurance sector manages more than €2,000 billion? And that by investing these funds more sustainably (e.g., invest in sustainable innovations, disinvest in polluting practices), the sector could play a crucial role in transitioning towards a more sustainable society? 

Whether this will happen, and what form this will take, strongly depends on the preferences, expectations and actions of diverse actors within the sector, including individuals who have a pension/insurance, as well as (those working for) labour unions, pension funds, insurance firms, and investors. Moreover, change is only likely to happen when different actors cooperate. This is, however, often hindered by limited communication and a lack of mutual understanding among them, often induced by misperceptions about each other.

The current project aims to clarify the role of the Dutch pension sector within sustainability transitions, accounting for the preferences, expectations, actions and roles of those involved, and the dynamics between them.

What are you going to do?

The vacant postdoctoral researcher position is specifically focused on understanding:

1. Personal, social and organizational factors that shape actors’ preferences regarding (sustainable) investments of pension and insurance funds, 
2. Actors’ assumptions and expectations about each other. 
3. How these together affect decisions and changes within the sector. 

For this purpose, the postdoctoral researcher will collect and analyze quantitative (e.g., questionnaire, experiments) and qualitative (e.g., interviews, group modelling) data, and integrate insights across system levels (e.g., via agent-based and group-based modelling). Study participants will include people (i) who have a pension and/or insurance (i.e., participants), (ii) who work in these sectors (e.g., pension managers, investors), and (iii) who are directly affected by the sector’s investments. Research questions will focus on personal, social, and organizational factors, as well as the wider societal context in which the transition takes place. 

In the research activities, the postdoctoral researcher will closely collaborate and interact with partners from other scientific disciplines, as well as from practice, particularly within the Netspar knowledge network. 

We encourage you apply if you:

• Possess a PhD in Environmental or Social Psychology, or another related discipline (e.g., Sociology, Behavioural Economics).
• Are interested in understanding personal and social factors that affect sustainability decisions of individuals, groups and organisations.
• Are strongly interested in working together with key stakeholders within the Dutch pension and insure sector, and actively participate within the https://www.netspar.nl/ knowledge network.
• Would like to make both theoretical and societal impact.
• Have strong and demonstrable expertise in working with quantitative (and ideally qualitative) data and methods, and is proactive in further developing this.
• Have a relevant publication record demonstrating your ability to publish in international academic journals.
• Possess excellent collaborative skills, with the capability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams.
• Have exceptional communication skills, with proficiency in both written and spoken English (and ideally Dutch).

What can you expect from us?

• 232 vacation hours per year, based on a 38-hour workweek (1.0 FTE). You can also work more or fewer hours in exchange for more or fewer free hours. For example, with a 40-hour workweek, you save 96 extra free hours, and with a 36-hour workweek, you lose 96 hours.
• End-of-year bonus of 8.3% and 8% holiday allowance.
• Extensive opportunities for personal and professional development.

At the University of Groningen (UG), researchers from all fields of academia and technology are working on academic challenges and societal questions. Lecturers prepare their students for meaningful careers within or outside the academic world. Interdisciplinary research and teaching, sharing of knowledge, collaboration with businesses, government institutions, and societal organizations are aspects that are of the utmost importance to this European top university. The UG aims to be an open academic community with an inclusive and safe working climate that invites you to add your value.

The postdoctoral researcher position is embedded within the Environmental Psychology research group of the Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences at the University of Groningen. The research group has a national and international reputation for excellence. It researches a wide range of topics, including personal and social factors that affect diverse sustainable behaviors; understanding the effectiveness of strategies to promote sustainable behaviour; understanding the acceptability environmental policies and changes; and the effects of climate change and sustainable behaviour on wellbeing. Central to the group's identity is its aim to simultaneously contribute to theory development and practice. This is also why the group strongly collaborates with scholars from different disciplines, as well as with governments, NGOs, and various business organisations.

The Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences excels in teaching and research in the fields of human behaviour, thinking, learning, and how people live together. We work on societal issues and problems that people experience in daily life. Central to this is individual and societal resilience and how to increase this. To this end, we focus on the topics of migration, the environment and climate, health, upbringing and education, the protection of vulnerable minorities, and sustainable partnerships.The Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences employs over 650 staff members. For more information about the Faculty please check the link https://www.rug.nl/gmw/

Do you have any questions or need more information?

Questions about the content of the job?
Thijs Bouman (Associate Professor): T.Bouman@rug.nl

Questions about your application process?
Thijs Bouman (Associate Professor): T.Bouman@rug.nl