Postdoctoral researcher for the project Social dynamics in the energy transition

Energy transitions are essential to achieving net-zero emissions and keeping our planet within its safe operating space. Yet, these transitions are deeply shaped by social dynamics, by how people cooperate, organize, and sometimes resist change.

Are you eager to explore the role of such social dynamics, drawing on insights from multiple disciplines? Are you curious about what we can learn from energy-related interactions in different contexts, from households and local energy communities to regional energy hubs?

If so, this postdoctoral position offers an exciting opportunity to investigate these questions within the SYNERGY project, a collaborative research initiative funded by the Dutch Research Council (NWO) under the National Science Agenda (NWA).

The SYNERGY project unites a broad consortium of researchers from leading Dutch universities and knowledge institutes (including Tilburg University, Utrecht University, University of Twente, Eindhoven University of Technology, Delft University of Technology, Avans University of Applied Sciences, and TNO), as well as societal partners (such as the Province of Noord-Brabant, the Municipality of Tilburg, RVO, and Enexis).

Together, this consortium examines how social dynamics shape the energy transition, aiming both to advance scientific understanding and to generate practical insights for policymakers and practitioners.

Job description
Within the SYNERGY project, you will contribute to both conceptual and comparative research, helping to guide and integrate the work carried out across the project’s various work packages. More specifically, you will help establish a shared conceptual foundation for these work packages and perform analyses that cut across the project as a whole.

Your main tasks will include:

1. Conducting conceptual and comparative qualitative case study research, including a literature review, interviews, and/or focus groups;
2. Writing one or more high-quality scientific papers on the project’s guiding framework and cross-cutting analyses, for publication in peer-reviewed journals;
3. Preparing one or more practitioner-oriented memos that translate scientific insights into actionable recommendations;
4. Organizing workshops within the SYNERGY project to bring together academics and practitioners for discussion of draft papers and memos;
5. Coordinating co-creation processes and knowledge exchange activities with both academic and non-academic partners;
6. Actively participating in consortium meetings, workshops, and other collaborative research activities;
7. Presenting preliminary results and papers at academic conferences;
8. Contributing to the activities of both the Department of Public Law and Governance at Tilburg Law School and the university-wide Academic Collaborative Center for Climate and Energy at Tilburg University.

You will be supervised by Prof. dr. Martijn Groenleer (Tilburg University), with Prof. dr. Thomas Hoppe (University of Twente) as co-supervisor.

Collaboration lies at the heart of this position: you will work closely with fellow researchers as well as societal partners and external stakeholders across different work packages, bridging the gap between academia and practice.

This position is embedded within both the Department of Public Law and Governance at Tilburg Law School, where legal and governance scholars collaborate on innovations and transformations in public law and governance, and the university-wide Academic Collaborative Center on Climate and Energy, which brings together multiple disciplines across the university and societal partners to contribute theoretical knowledge and practical solutions for a socially just energy transition.

Being part of this broad network of scholars and practitioners offers a unique opportunity to combine cutting-edge academic research with tangible societal impact, helping to shape the social dynamics that drive the energy transition.

Below, we outline our expectations of the candidate. We are aware that no candidate may fully meet all requirements. We therefore invite candidates to indicate in their motivation letter not only which requirements they meet, but also which ones they would like to develop further.

 

For this position, we are looking for a researcher who:

• Holds (or is close to completing) a PhD in Public Administration, Public Governance, Policy Sciences, Political Science, Economics, Management, Sociology, Organization Studies, or a related field in the social sciences.
• Has demonstrable knowledge of or expertise in scientific research related to energy transitions, climate change or sustainability;
• Possesses strong qualitative research skills and data analytical abilities.
• Thrives in collaboration, seamlessly working with both academic peers and external partners.
• Communicates effectively, presenting ideas clearly and engaging with diverse audiences.
• Is fluent in Dutch and English, both verbally and in writing.
• Is proactive, independent, and creative, with a vision for innovative research.
• Has excellent project management and organization skills.
• Wants to contribute to Tilburg University’s dynamic research community on climate and energy and help build an inspiring work environment.

For this position we offer you:

• A position based on 0.8 - 1.0 fte (32-40 hours per week).
• A salary of minimum € 4,728 and maximum €6,433 gross per month for full-time employment, based on UFO profile Researcher 3 and salary scale 11. Until obtaining your PhD, salary scale 10 will be applied. Tilburg University uses a neutral remuneration system based on relevant work experience.
• This is a vacancy  for a temporary position in accordance with Article 2.3 paragraph 5 sub b CLA DU. You will be given a temporary contract for the duration of 24 months.
• Vacation pay of 8% and a year-end bonus of 8.3%.
• Over 8 weeks of vacation leave.
• The opportunity to work partly on campus and partly from home with a home office allowance of €2 per day.
• Reimbursement for sustainable commuting: walking, cycling, and public transport.
• A monthly internet allowance of €25.
• An options model in which you exchange benefits for things such as additional leave, more pension, a bicycle or personal training at our Sports Center.
• A moving allowance (subject to conditions).
• Employees from abroad may be eligible for a tax-free allowance for extraterritorial expenses equal to 30% of taxable salary.
• A pension with ABP; the largest Dutch pension fund.
• Training in personal development, career development, leadership, education, and research. Or a language course at our Language Center.
• A work culture in which we embrace differences, everyone is welcome and given equal opportunities.
• A vibrant campus in green surroundings that is easily accessible by public transport.

For more information, see our website and the CLA Dutch Universities.

Tilburg University is an academic, inclusive, and engaged community. Together with nearly 3,000 employees, we are committed to broad prosperity, sustainably, and inclusion. For current and future generations. We develop and share knowledge for the requirements of people and our society. This is how we contribute to solving complex social issues and help society move forward.

We educate our 19,500 students of 110 nationalities to become responsible leaders with knowledge, skills, and character. With our education and research for broad prosperity, we exceedingly focus on themes such as mental and preventive care, an inclusive labor market, the energy transition, and digitalization.

About Tilburg Law School
Tilburg Law School was founded in 1963 and has since grown into a leading faculty for law and public administration. Our education and research are distinctly innovative and interdisciplinary. We are driven by our mission to actively engage with pressing societal challenges such as new technologies, sustainability, and the position of vulnerable groups in the rule of law, from the perspective of legal and administrative sciences. We operate in response to local, regional, national, and international developments, and collaborate closely with other disciplines such as economics, behavioral and social sciences, philosophy, history, and digital sciences. The faculty is organized into five departments: Public Law & Governance, Private, Business and Labour Law, Criminal Law, the Tilburg Institute for Law, Technology & Society, and Tax Law.

Global Law and Governance
This research program addresses major societal challenges such as climate change, globalization, growing inequality, the increasing influence of social media, and migration. These developments call for a re-examination of issues such as the role of human rights, democratic principles and structures, and the regulation of non-state actors.

The Department of Public Law & Governance (PLG) is a unique collaboration of researchers in the fields of International Law, European law, Constitutional Law, Administrative Law, Environmental Law, Public Administration, Legal Philosophy, Political Science, Legal History, and Jurisprudence. Collaboration within the Department is very much inspired by joint research interests.

Academic Collaborative Center for Climate and Energy
At Tilburg University, researchers and societal partners join forces to drive impactful climate action and energy transition. Through cutting-edge research and real-world solutions, they contribute to a socially just and sustainable future. Since early 2023, the university-wide Academic Collaborative Center (ACC) for Climate & Energy has been the hub for this collaboration. Bringing together over 50 academic researchers from various disciplines and 12 societal partners, ranging from government bodies to grid operators and consumer organisations, the ACC tackles critical challenges in market design and regulation, governance and participation, digitalisation and data-driven innovation, and communication and behaviour. By bridging science and practice, Tilburg University is shaping the future of sustainable energy with knowledge that makes a difference.

Would you like to know more before applying? Please feel free to contact Prof. dr. Martijn Groenleer (m.l.p.groenleer@tilburguniversity.edu).

We kindly invite you to apply before January 5; this can only be done online.