PhD position Fair Climate Policy

As a PhD candidate in Fair Climate Policy, you will have the opportunity, under supervision, to develop your own insights, collect data, and share your findings with both academic colleagues and practice and societal partners. Together with a motivated team, you will work on meaningful solutions and contribute to the future of your field.

Research project

The Netherlands faces major challenges in the field of sustainability. The current intensive use of natural resources leads to irreversible environmental damage, resource depletion, and further climate change. At the same time, climate action entails distributional effects and can exacerbate existing inequalities and impact the lives of citizens. This manifests itself in concerns regarding both the consequences of climate change and the impact of climate policy on social inequality and the quality of life of specific groups. Many citizens consider it important to protect the climate, the environment, and nature, and recognize climate change as a societal issue. However, there is disagreement regarding which solutions are most suitable. It is therefore important to understand how climate policy can be developed that is effective, but is also perceived as just, fair, and acceptable, and contributes to people's quality of life. Policy that does not exclude people, but connects them. The project aims to develop psychological and sociological insights into what citizens view as fair and just solutions to climate change and the factors and circumstances that influence these perceptions. Additionally, the project aims to provide guidelines for policymakers for the development of policy that is perceived by citizens as (more) just, fair(er), and (more) acceptable, and contributes to the wellbeing of society.

Collaboration

This research project is a collaboration between the Environmental Psychology expertise group at the University of Groningen (RUG), specifically research into public acceptance of sustainable transitions, the Citizens and Government programme at the SCP, and the chair of Prof. Dr. Maroesjka Versantvoort on the role of values and meaning in people's sustainability trade-offs (previous research by the SCP, “Between Sustainable Thinking and Sustainable Action”). The PhD candidate will receive a full-time appointment for 2 years at the RUG in Groningen (years 1 and 2) and subsequently a full-time appointment for 2 years at the SCP in The Hague (years 3 and 4). This collaboration offers a unique opportunity to leverage the knowledge and expertise of both organizations and to build rich experience in cross-institutional collaboration.

Why would you want this position?

• Making an impact: in this role, you contribute directly to scientific insights that address societal issues. Your research translates not only into publications but also into concrete solutions, ensuring a tangible impact.
• Personal development: you get the opportunity to develop yourself into an expert, with the support of experienced scientists. This combination of research and education offers ample opportunities for professional and personal growth.

The SCP works for the entire society. To do this as effectively as possible, we strive for a diversity of qualities, perspectives, and backgrounds in our teams. We also actively work on an organizational culture in which everyone feels welcome and can be themselves. For more information about the organization, see About the SCP | Netherlands Institute for Social Research.

What are you going to do?

As a PhD candidate, you perform the following tasks:

• Together with your supervisors, you design various components of the research.
• You conduct research that results in a dissertation and aligns with the objectives and requirements of the project.
• You perform quantitative data analysis on existing datasets and organize and carry out additional data collection if necessary.
• You publish the results of the research in international scientific journals.
• You present the research to a broad audience of both (international) fellow scientists and societal, practice, and policy partners.
• You work together with colleagues from the RUG and the SCP on the joint project. You work in Groningen during years 1 and 2, and in The Hague during years 3 and 4, and you visit both organizations regularly from the start.
• You actively contribute to the collaboration between the parties involved.
• You contribute to educational activities at the Department of Environmental Psychology (RUG), such as working groups and guest lectures.
• You contribute to reports of the SCP.

Requirements

For this position, we are looking for someone who:

• Has completed a (research) Master's degree in a relevant discipline within social sciences, such as Environmental Psychology, Sociology, Social Psychology, Political Science, Sustainability Studies, or a related field.
• Possesses strong quantitative analytical skills (strict requirement) and also has experience with qualitative research.
• Is enthusiastic about writing international publications and a dissertation.
• Has a good command of the Dutch and English languages.
• Can work both in a team and independently.
• Possesses good academic writing skills, social and communication skills, and is willing to collaborate with other team members.
• Is enthusiastic about translating scientific insights into practical guidelines and advice.
• Has an affinity with policy and societal issues.
• Would like to contribute to SCP reports/publications aimed at a broad audience and at policymakers and politicians.
• Possesses good organizational skills and perseverance.
• Demonstrates competencies such as conceptual ability, presenting, planning, and monitoring progress.

Conditions of employment

What can you expect from us?

232 vacation hours per year, based on a 38-hour workweek (1.0 FTE). You can also work more or fewer hours in exchange for more or fewer free hours. For example, with a 40-hour workweek, you save 96 extra free hours, and with a 36-hour workweek, you lose 96 hours.

End-of-year bonus of 8.3% and 8% holiday allowance.

Extensive opportunities for personal and professional development.

Employer

At the University of Groningen (UG), researchers from all fields of academia and technology are working on academic challenges and societal questions. Lecturers prepare their students for meaningful careers within or outside the academic world. Interdisciplinary research and teaching, sharing of knowledge, collaboration with businesses, government institutions, and societal organizations are aspects that are of the utmost importance to this European top university. The UG aims to be an open academic community with an inclusive and safe working climate that invites you to add your value.

Department Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences

The Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences (GMW) excels in research and teaching in the areas of behaviour, thinking, learning, and participation in society. More than 4,500 students and approximately 650 staff address social questions and challenges that people experience in daily life. Our core focus is on individual and societal resilience and how to strengthen it. We focus on current themes such as health and wellbeing, sustainable living, learning and development, inclusive society, safe and healthy upbringing, and work and collaboration. If you would like to learn more about the Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences, visit rug.nl/gmw.

The Department of Environmental Psychology at the University of Groningen has an excellent reputation both nationally and internationally. Research within this group focuses on a wide range of topics, including:

• Factors that influence individual and collective sustainable behavior, such as energy use, car use, food consumption, and participation in sustainable initiatives.
• Factors that determine what people and groups do to adapt to environmental problems and climate risks.
• Factors influencing the effectiveness of strategies to promote sustainable behavior.
• Factors influencing the acceptance of environmental policy and changes.
• The effects of climate change and sustainable behavior on well-being.

Information about the faculty: https://epgroningen.nl/

The Netherlands Institute for Social Research (SCP)

The Netherlands Institute for Social Research (SCP) investigates and analyzes the quality of life and social interaction in the Netherlands, as well as the policies the government develops and implements to address this. How do we experience the quality of life in the Netherlands? What relationships do we have with one another as residents? And what is the relationship between residents and the government? The SCP is a professional knowledge institution that conducts independent, policy-relevant scientific research. The SCP formally falls under the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport.

The SCP has organized its research into programs. Together, these research programs form the coherent, integrated research agenda of the SCP. With the scientific knowledge generated, the SCP contributes to a better society through better government policy.

For information, please contact

Maroesjka Versantvoort, Professor of Labour and Meaning, email address: m.versantvoort@scp.nl

Additional information

Do you have any questions or need more information?

Questions about the content of the job?

Gonzalo Palomo Vélez (Researcher): g.f.palomo.velez@rug.nl

Questions about your application process?

Carina Havenga - de Poel (Project Leader): c.havenga.de.poel@rug.nl