The research group Food and Healthy Living of Aeres University of Applied Sciences, hereafter referred to as AUAS, focuses on the relation between sustainable food provision, food consumption and healthy living within the city of Almere and the wider Amsterdam Metropolitan Area. Almere offers a unique 'living lab' opportunity for real world research to inform the transition to sustainable and healthy metropolitan food systems: ‘Feeding the city sustainably and healthily’.

In this task Almere, embedded in the agricultural province Flevoland, is strongly seeking a regional food system orientation. With a diverse population, comprising of 148 different nationalities, and a socially committed agenda, civilian power, or the active involvement of citizens, is essential in reshaping the urban food provision structures in such a way that it makes a healthy lifestyle accessible and acceptable for all inhabitants of the city. But, how to engage its diverse citizens in the development of an inclusive, sustainable and health-promoting regional food system? 

AUAS offers a Postdoctoral position to complement the research team with the aim to explore, develop and improve citizen participatory research methods and therein contributing to sustainable and feasible solutions for an urban food system. 

The research is funded by the Fonds Verstedelijking Almere (FVA) as part of the broader agenda ‘Feeding the City’ which is linked to the World Horticulture Exhibition Floriade 2022, taking place in Almere.

• You hold a PhD in social science (e.g. sociology, anthropology, human geography, political science), preferably with a focus on sustainability and/or urban issues.
• You have knowledge and preferably experience of different concepts and techniques regarding participatory methods, (e.g. consumer-stakeholder engagement, living labs, innovation networks and - (eco) systems, gamification of civic participation, place-making, participatory modelling, fore sighting, design thinking).
• You have a keen interest in food system transformation, healthy living, environmental sustainability and urban development.
• You are experienced in empirical research methods, in particular qualitative research (e.g. interviews, ethnography, focus groups).
• You are experienced in academic writing, demonstrated by publication in (co-)authored peer-reviewed journals.
• You are fluent in English (C2) and Dutch (B2).
• You have affinity with the vision of citizen science, citizen involvement and working transdisciplinary.
• You have strong social skills and the ability to effectively communicate with different stakeholders.
• You are able to work creatively, flexible, and rather independently.
• You have some experience in teaching, preferably in social science methodology, and are enthusiastic about the prospect of participating in educational tasks.

Fixed-term contract: 1 year, with possible extension.

Real world applied research from within a dynamic and developing organisation. The attractiveness of working at Aeres University of Applied Sciences, is that you are part of a team that educates professionals in close collaboration with the sector for which we train them. There are also ample opportunities for self-development. The job has a salary perspective linked to scale 10 or 11 of the collective labour agreement for higher professional education (from € 2.581,52 min S 10 up to € 4.892,31 max S 11) gross per month for a full-time appointment). The salary to be agreed depends on education, experience and maturity of seniority.

The perquisites that come with the job, are good. In the case of permanent jobs, the initial appointment is a temporary one with Stichting Aeres Groep. In the case of temporary jobs, appointment will be with our payroll partner. We offer you a contract for the period of 1 year. After this contract, extension for another year contract is a serious option.

Aeres University of Applied Sciences is rooted in green and instructive higher education. We focus on teaching and research as well as sharing and applying knowledge. Professional development, pushing back frontiers, innovative entrepreneurship, contextual learning, and sustainable action are our key interests. This is how we contribute to the development of future-oriented, innovative professionals. Professionals who are capable of taking well-founded decisions in a complex world. Our faculties in Almere, Dronten and Wageningen cater for approximately 3,200 students. Each faculty has its own profile and focus.

Aeres University of Applied Sciences Almere

The Almere faculty focuses on study programmes and practical research in which the green knowledge domain is linked to the urban environment. Major fields of interest include biology, food, health, circular economy, sustainability, and innovative green planning. Aeres University of Applied Sciences Almere is a partner in the development of the Flevo Campus, which is being created on the Floriade exhibition site over the next few years. The Flevo Campus is a knowledge hub where education, research, entrepreneurs and governments meet around the theme of “Feeding the City”.

Aeres University of Applied Sciences values the quality and practical orientation of its education and research, as well as the fine tuning of its related work processes. The university has an extensive project portfolio.

Does your expertise match the ambitions of Aeres University of Applied Sciences? Then we would like to get in touch with you. Candidates are invited for the position of: Postdoc ‘Citizen engagement for inclusive solutions for a sustainable and healthy urban food system’.