PhD: Governance, contestation and justice in the Dutch green hydrogen transition

At the Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development at Utrecht University, we have an exciting four-year PhD position available. The transformation towards a net-zero society in 2050 requires the decarbonization of industry. One of the potential pathways concerns green hydrogen. The Dutch government aims to achieve 4 GW of electrolysis potential for green hydrogen by 2030.

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Thus far, progress on achieving this non-binding target is slow, and the various techno-economic challenges are well-known. Yet, the social and institutional dimensions of the green hydrogen transition remain largely understudied. In particular, limited attention has been paid to how this transition is governed, by and with whom, and under what conditions tensions, contestations, and questions of (in)justice may emerge.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and ambitious colleague to further strengthen our group with a focus on transitions and transformations, directionality and justice. The PhD candidate will be positioned at the Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development and embedded within two sections: Innovation Studies and Energy & Resources. The PhD project will be supervised by Prof. Dr Koen Frenken, Dr Iris Wanzenböck and Dr Sanne Akerboom.

This PhD project is part of a large consortium investigating conditions and measures contributing to the social acceptability of green hydrogen. In this PhD project, specifically the role of the Dutch government in shaping and steering the pathway(s) towards green hydrogen will be critically investigated, with particular attention to how these efforts can or should contribute to a just green hydrogen transition. Key concerns include how societal demands, policy priorities, technologies and solutions are co-constructed through interactions between policy, industry and society; which pathways are promoted, by whom, and how particular problem framings and solutions are shaped to contribute to what is seen as desirable and legitimate innovation policy to transformative change.

Such processes may result in new forms of injustices or exacerbate existing ones, highlighting the need to better understand emerging injustices within the green hydrogen transition. Addressing these questions provides critical insights into the co-evolution of technology, policy, and society and the extent to which it can support the decarbonization of society.

You are our ideal candidate if you:

• have a MSc or MA in public administration, political science, governance, science and technology studies, or innovation studies, or in a relevant subject area;
• have a good understanding of societal challenges, in particular climate change, sustainability transitions, and has affinity with the energy transition and/or just transition;
• are interested in exploring the interactions of technology, policy and society from a social science perspective.
• have experience with empirical qualitative research and is enthusiastic about working in an interdisciplinary team;
• have good social and communication skills, a willingness to interact with a wide range of stakeholders;
• have an interest in academic teaching;
• can demonstrate English language proficiency;
• are interested in scientific/academic research and obtaining a PhD degree;
• can work independently;
• look forward to being in the driving seat of a 4-year research project.

If you feel that you do not yet meet all requirements, or feel you have other qualifications that you deem relevant for this position, please provide further motivation in your letter.

We offer:

• a position for 1 year, with an extension to a total of four years upon a successful assessment in the first year, and with the specific intent that it results in a doctorate within this period;
• a working week of 32 - 40 hours and a gross monthly salary between € 3.059 and €3.881 in the case of full-time employment (salary scale P under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU));
• 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus;
• a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU.

In addition to the terms of employment laid down in the CAO NU, Utrecht University also offers a range of its own schemes for employees. This includes arrangements for professional development, various types of leave, and options for sports and cultural activities. You can also tailor your employment conditions through our Terms of Employment Options Model. In this way, we encourage you to keep investing in your personal and professional development. For more information, please visit Working at Utrecht University.

A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University, the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major strategic themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Pathways to Sustainability. Sharing science, shaping tomorrow.

Utrecht University’s Faculty of Geosciences studies the Earth: from the Earth’s core to its surface, including man’s spatial and material utilisation of the Earth – always with a focus on sustainability and innovation. With 3,400 students (BSc and MSc) and 720 staff, the faculty is a strong and challenging organisation. The Faculty of Geosciences is organised in four Departments: Earth Sciences, Human Geography & Spatial Planning, Physical Geography, and Sustainable Development.

For more information about this position, please contact Dr Iris Wanzenböck at i.wanzenbock@uu.nl or Dr Sanne Akerboom at s.akerboom@uu.nl

• Note to recruitment agencies: Please refrain from contacting us regarding this job posting.

Candidates for this vacancy will be recruited by Utrecht University.