We are looking for a researcher carrying out part of a project on the socio-ecological impact of postgrowth housing scenarios. The overall project is intended to study the relation between income, housing tenure and ecological footprint, as well as to build possible scenarios of a socially just and ecologically sustainable housing system. The aim is to demonstrate differences in environmental impact that different existing and future housing models have. We will start with The Netherlands and them work at EU-level.

The project includes two different sub-studies:

• A postgrowth assessment of dominant housing systems: this study will deploy LCA-based urban metabolism models to assess the long-term performance of the existing housing stock. It will focus on the income-to-environmental impact of existing housing to show the relation between income, housing type and carbon, material and land use footprint.
• Scenarios for postgrowth housing systems: this study will assess the projected environmental impact of prototypes of postgrowth housing. The team will develop models that combine different measures and elaborate on possible scenarios. These prototypes are defined from the literature and from a preliminary analysis of existing real-life examples. They include eco-communities, urban housing cooperatives and large-scale social housing.

The researcher will work with an interdisciplinary team formed by Dr. Federico Savini (spatial planning, Principal Investigator) and Dr. Cody Hochstenbach (human geography, housing studies) at the University of Amsterdam, Mira Kopp (urban industrial ecology, Mercator Research Institute, TU Berlin) and Dr. Stefano Merciai (industrial ecology, University of Leiden, Aarus University).

This team is embedded in the broader research program of the ERC-funded research project ‘DECYCLE’.

What are you going to do
The research assistant will help the team in developing models for the environmental impact assessment of housing in the two studies. The tasks include:

Research tasks:

• building a model to study the environmental footprint of large-scale housing systems. Variables include income, housing tenure, housing type, energy use, energy sources, construction materials, urbanicity, transport use;
• generate environmental impact factors for future energy and material use over several decades using prospective LCA applications such as premise;
• gathering data from existing GIS, energy and material databases such as Basisregistratie Adressen en Gebouwen (BAG), 3DBAG, EUBUCCO, DEGO VNG Energietransitie Gebouwde Omgeving, TABULA, ecoinvent.

What do you have to offer
The candidate should be specialized in the following:

• data analysis using python and pandas;
• interest in the built environment.

Required skills:

• Completed or ongoing master’s in industrial ecology, data science, quantitative geography, or related fields.

Desirable skills:

• familiarity with key terminology and procedures of life cycle assessment, potentially also first contact with prospective LCA applications.
• geospatial analysis and calculating metrics with geographic information systems.
• familiarity with degrowth or postgrowth debates in economics or environmental studies.

What can we offer you
The position concerns a temporary employment of 1 day a week, 7.6 hours per day for a maximum term of one year. For this position the University Job Classification profile research assistant applies.

Your salary will be €2.846 to € 2.920 gross per month, based on full-time employment and in keeping with the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities. We additionally offer an extensive package of secondary benefits, including 8% holiday allowance and a year-end bonus of 8.3%.

The UvA offers excellent possibilities for further professional development and education.

What else do we offer

Working as assistant in the DECYCLE project, you will have the chance to learn how to set up complex and international research. As research assistant you will be invited to join the dissemination activities of the project. The PI will help you in getting to know the University of Amsterdam and the Department of Geography, Planning and International Development Studies. You will be invited to all social activities of the research group. The department offers a very warm and welcoming working environment, located in the heart of Amsterdam.

About us
The University of Amsterdam is the largest university in the Netherlands, with the broadest spectrum of degree programmes. It is an intellectual hub with 39,000 students, 6,000 employees and 3,000 doctoral students who are all committed to a culture of inquiring minds.

About the faculty

A challenging work environment with a variety of duties and ample scope for individual initiative and development within an inspiring organization. The social and behavioral sciences play a leading role in addressing the major societal challenges faced by the world, the Netherlands and Amsterdam, now and in the future.

Want to know more about our organisation? Read more about working at the University of Amsterdam.

Questions
Do you have any questions or do you require additional information? Please contact:

• Dr. Federico Savini, Associate Professor in environmental planning, f.savini@uva.nl

Job application
Do you recognize yourself in the job profile? Then we look forward to receiving your application by the 17th of August 2024. You may apply online by using the link below.

Applications in .pdf should include:

• a curriculum vitae.
• a data analysis and visualization example.

The UvA is an equal-opportunity employer. We prioritize diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for everyone. We value a spirit of enquiry and perseverance, provide the space to keep asking questions, and promote a culture of curiosity and creativity.

If you encounter Error GBB451/ GBC451, reach out to our HR Department directly. They will gladly help you continue your application.

No agencies please.