The Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development is looking for an excellent, motivated and goal-oriented PhD candidate with a background in Science and Technology Studies (STS) and/or innovation studies. It will be the primary task of the PhD candidate to contribute to the international research project GATEKEEPER, funded under the European Commissions Horizon 2020 program. The project is one of the European Commission’s flagship initiatives on digital health innovations. It designs, evaluates and implements digital platforms to support healthy ageing at home at 7 European pilot sites. The Copernicus Institute leads the research on Responsible Innovation in Health (RIH) and scaling-up of healthy ageing initiatives. For the PhD candidate, the project will provide a unique opportunity to study “innovation in action” at the 7 pilot sites, involving a broad range of stakeholders and end-users.

The position focuses on:

The PhD candidate will study evolving stakeholder and user positions around the digital platforms at the different pilot sites using qualitative methods, to understand how they co-evolve with innovation. More specifically, the aims are:

• To use theories from STS and innovation studies to develop a dynamic framework for mapping and assessing stakeholder positions around digital platforms and how they evolve over time;
• To contribute to the growing academic debate around Responsible Innovation in Health (RIH) and ageing, and to publish results in high-standing international academic outlets.

The candidate will pursue a PhD in the social sciences and will have the opportunity to enrol in the graduate training program of the Netherlands Graduate Research School of Science, Technology, and Modern Culture (WTMC).

The ideal candidate thrives in international and multidisciplinary environments, can communicate effectively with various stakeholders and has sharp analytical skills. Specifically, the position requires:

• a degree in Science and Technology Studies, Innovation Studies or a related discipline; 
• an affinity with the social aspects of digital technologies related to health and ageing;
• excellent written and oral communication skills in English and the ability to work in a self-propelled manner;

the ability to work in a large interdisciplinary and international team.

The gross monthly salary starts at €2,325 in the first year, and ends at €2,972 in the fourth year (scale P Collective Labour Agreement Dutch Universities) for a full-time employment. Salaries are supplemented with a holiday bonus of 8 % of annual salary and a year-end bonus of 8.3 % of annual salary per year. We offer a pension scheme, (partly paid) parental leave, collective insurance schemes and flexible employment conditions (multiple choice model). Facilities for sports and child care are available on our main campus which is located only 15 minutes away from the historical city centre of Utrecht. More information is available at: 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, colleagues from various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major societal themes. Our focus is on Sustainability, Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, and Life Sciences.

Utrecht University has been ranked in the 2017 Academic Ranking of World Universities as the best university in the Netherlands, and as one of the leading research universities in Europe. Utrecht University's sustainability research has the greatest citation impact worldwide according to a study conducted by Times Higher Education (2016).

The city of Utrecht is one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands, with a charming old centre and an internationally oriented culture that is strongly influenced by its century-old university. Utrecht has been consistently ranked as one of the most livable cities in the Netherlands.

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.