The PhD position in circular business models & value chains is part of project LICHEN BLADES funded by the Dutch funding agency NWO. In the LICHEN BLADES project, we will work on a circular blade design that will realize the functionality for first use-cycle (wind) and successive use-cycles, enabling blades with reduced carbon footprint, and designed for re-use opportunities.

This specific PhD project will focus on circular business models and value chains for the LICHEN BLADES project. The aim is to develop circular business models and value chains that capture financial as well as environmental value and to develop tools and methods that contribute to the success of circular windturbine blades. While the PhD candidate is expected to work independently on their research agenda, the project will also take place in close collaboration with project stakeholders from academia, such as colleagues from project lead TU Delft, and stakeholders from businesses in the windturbine industry.

Skills and requirements for potential PhD candidates:

• Driven, enthusiastic and independent thinker and do-er
• MSc degree (or equivalent) in business and management, or interdisciplinary studies (e.g., design, sustainability) with a clear business component, or related subject
• Knowledge about sustainability and / or circular economy
• Affinity with the topic of wind-energy
• Interest in conducting ‘stakeholder-involved’, transdisciplinary research, collaborating in a larger research project.
• Related to this, an affinity with engaging project stakeholders in the research agenda to develop and test tools and methods for circular business model and value chain design
• Ability to balance collaborating in an interdisciplinary project team with taking responsibility for their own research goals
• The candidate should have a very good command of English language, in direct communication as well as writing skills
• The candidate is expected to publish work of high scientific quality in peer-reviewed journals and participate in international conferences, as well as contributing to an exciting and vibrant atmosphere in the department
• The candidate is expected to contribute to education in the field of sustainability for a small part of their time (e.g. Master thesis supervision for the Master's in Sustainability Science, Policy & Society)

Fixed-term contract: 4 years.

Fixed-term contract: 4 years. Expected starting date: October 2022.

• The terms of employment of Maastricht University are set out in the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities (CAO), supplement with local UM provisions. For more information on terms of employment, please visit our website www.maastrichtuniversity.nl > About UM > Working at UM
• The salary will be set in the PhD-candidate salary scale of the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (€ 2.443 gross per month in the first year up to € 3.122 gross per month in the fourth year). On top of this, there is an 8% holiday allowance and a 8.3% year-end allowance;
• We offer an attractive package of fringe benefits such as reduction on collective health insurance, substantial leave arrangements, optional model for designing a personalised benefits package and application for attractive fiscal arrangements for employees from abroad.

Maastricht University / SBE

The School of Business and Economics (SBE) is one of the youngest Faculties of Business and Economics in the Netherlands. It has a distinctive international profile and is Triple Crown accredited. It provides high-quality education and conducts excellent research with an international perspective. SBE strongly believes in creating close collaborations with its academic partners and societal stakeholders, its students and alumni, and with businesses and organisations in the Limburg Euregion, the Netherlands, Europe and the rest of the world.

Maastricht University (UM), located in the heart of Europe, is the most international university in the Netherlands with half of our students and one third of academic staff coming from abroad. In total, UM represents 100 different nationalities. UM is a stimulating environment where research and teaching are complementary, where innovation is our focus and where talent can flourish. Research is characterised by a multidisciplinary, thematic, and collaborative approach, and with education, forms the core of UM.

Maastricht Sustainability Institute

Maastricht Sustainability Institute (MSI) is part of the School of Business and Economics at Maastricht University, and with its focus on sustainable development in research and education centrally at the interface of science, policy and society. The institute offers the Master programme Sustainability Science, Policy and Society (which attracts a large international, multidisciplinary student population) and is working on a new Master programme in Sustainable Business. The institute provides also sustainability education at bachelor level. The multidisciplinary staff (ca. 40 persons) has an interdisciplinary working style and transdisciplinary interest for addressing sustainability problems.