The project Responsible decision making on gas aims to study factors that influence public acceptability of existing and new developments in the gas sector, such as natural gas, hydrogen, and biogas. Next, it aims to study which institutional and administrative changes are necessary to achieve a responsible energy system. You will design and run studies (e.g. questionnaires, experiments, longitudinal research) to examine the effects of individual factors (e.g. people’s values) and institutional factors (e.g. governance) on public acceptability of various developments in the gas and energy sector. You will publish the results of your studies in international scientific journals as well as popular magazines and newsletters, and present your studies at international conferences and to private partners. Based on the results of your research, you will formulate and propose practical and policy implications for developing a responsible energy transition, with or without gas-related developments. You will work in an interdisciplinary team and collaborate with researchers in Innovation and Policy sciences from the Technical University of Delft. You will also collaborate with different private and public partners in the project which are involved in the gas and energy sector. You will play an important role in managing project activities and coordinating the collaboration between the members of the research team and the private partners.

We are looking for an early-career scholar with a PhD in Environmental or Social Psychology who has a strong research record, and is interested in studying the role of individual and institutional factors in public acceptability of existing and new developments in the gas and energy sector.
We are looking for candidates who meet the following requirements:

- a PhD degree in a relevant field of Psychology, preferably with a special focus on Environmental Psychology
- a relevant publication record demonstrating your ability to publish international academic publications, preferably in top tier peer-reviewed journals
- experience with theory driven research with a clear eye for practical implications
- a clear interest in collaborative interdisciplinary research
- the ability to communicate verbally and in written form in English and preferably Dutch
- ability to work independently and manage joint research activities
- a team player with good communication skills.

Fixed-term contract: 19 months.

We offer you in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities:
- a salary of € 3.255,- gross per month (salary scale 10.4)
- excellent secondary terms of employment
- a full-time position
- a holiday allowance of 8% gross annual income and an 8.3% year-end bonus
- 232 holiday hours per calendar year for full-time employment
- participation in a pension scheme for employees.

The appointment is temporary for a specified period of 19 months. The preferred starting date is 1 January 2020.

Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences

Since its founding in 1614, the University of Groningen has enjoyed an international reputation as a dynamic and innovative centre of higher education, offering high-quality teaching and research. We encourage the 31,000 students and researchers to develop their own individual talents. Among the best research universities in Europe, we join forces with prestigious partner universities and networks around the world, the University of Groningen is truly an international place of knowledge.

Faculty of Behavarioural and Social Sciences
The Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences is a centre of knowledge focusing on individuals and society. The faculty studies issues relating to human behaviour, and the relationships between people and society as a whole. This includes the study of how people function under normal circumstances, but also of the problems encountered by individuals or groups, and how these can be resolved or prevented. The Department of Psychology is part of the Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences, and offers bachelor’s and master’s programmes in both Dutch and English to over 3000 students.

Environmental Psychology group
The Environmental Psychology group at the University of Groningen has a national and international reputation for excellence. Research within the Environmental Psychology group focuses on a wide range of topics, including individual and situational factors influencing sustainable behaviour (such as household energy use, car use, food consumption); effective ways to promote sustainable behaviour; the acceptability of energy sources, systems and policies; and the effects of sustainable behaviour on wellbeing. The research has the explicit aim of both contributing to theory development and practice, and is embedded in the research programme Interpersonal Behaviour, as well as in two of the focus areas of the University of Groningen: Energy and Sustainable Society. The group collaborates with scholars from different disciplines within and outside the University of Groningen, as well as with governments, NGOs, and various business organisations.

The Environmental Psychology group at the University of Groningen invites applications for a post-doctoral researcher position (19 months). This position is part of the project “Responsible decision making on gas”, funded by the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO) programme Responsible Innovation. For more information about the project, see this website.