Want to explore how energy has been weaponised and what this means for the future of net-zero amid growing resistance to climate action? Apply for this postdoc at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam!
Deadline: 5 Oct '26
Published: 2026-09-21
- Research fields: Environmental science; Political sciences
- Job types: Postdoc
- Education level: Doctorate
- Weekly hours: 30.4—38 hours per week
- Salary indication: €3706—€5760 per month
- Location: De Boelelaan 1111, 1081 HV, Amsterdam
Job description
The Institute for Environmental Studies (IVM) of Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam invites applications for a postdoctoral researcher within the Environmental Policy Analysis (EPA) department.
As the successful candidate you'll work on two projects, funded by NWO Social Sciences and Humanities Open Competition XS. The EnerWar project ("The Energy Weapon in the Age of Global Energy System Transformation") is led by Dr. Mathieu Blondeel. Together, you will develop a taxonomy of the energy weapon, exploring its use, impacts and effectiveness over time, as well as how the nature of the energy weapon will change as the global energy transition ramps up. The second project is led by Dr. Oscar Widerberg and investigates the future of corporate climate commitments after the election of US president Trump. In addition, you will also contribute to the department's acquisition efforts, including applications for external research grants (Dutch & European).
Your duties
- you will develop a taxonomy of the 'energy weapon', identifying its use, impacts and effectiveness over time
- you will develop a publicly accessible and detailed database of the historical use of the energy weapon
- you will set-up and execute interview with corporate leader about net zero commitments
- you will support the planning and implementation of a workshop on net zero commitments
- you will publish research results in international peer-reviewed journals and impact-oriented journals
- you will contribute to the educational programmes at the IVM, such as the supervision of Bachelor and Master students
- you will contribute to the administrative responsibilities of the EPA department and to IVM-wide tasks, including the preparation and development of research proposals for funding through different national and European agencies
Requirements
- you possess a PhD in Political Science, International Relations, or a related discipline, specialising in energy or climate politics (having obtained a PhD degree is required by the start of employment)
- keen interest in geopolitical and political economic dimensions of the global energy transition
- a proven track record of publications in international peer-reviewed journals
- strong qualitative research skills, such as interviews, document and content analysis
- knowledge of and experience in grant proposal writing
- excellent proficiency and communication skills in English
We realise that each individual brings a unique set of skills, expertise and mindset. Therefore we are happy to invite anyone who recognises themselves in the profile to apply, even if you do not meet all the requirements.
Conditions of employment
Fixed-term contract: 1 year.
An exciting postdoc position in a socially-engaged organisation with a supportive project team and an active early-career scientist community. At VU Amsterdam, you contribute to education, research and service for a better world. And that is valuable. So in return for your efforts, we offer you:
- a salary of minimum € 3.706,00 (Scale 10.0) and maximum € 5.760,00 (Scale 10.12) gross per month, on a full-time basis. This is based on UFO profile Researcher 4. The exact salary depends on your education and experience.
- a position for 0.8 - 1.0 FTE for 1 year
We also offer you attractive fringe benefits and regulations. Some examples:
- A full-time 38-hour working week comes with a holiday leave entitlement of 232 hours per year. If you choose to work 40 hours, you have 96 extra holiday leave hours on an annual basis. For part-timers, this is calculated pro rata.
- 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus
- solid pension scheme (ABP)
- contribution to commuting expenses
- optional model for designing a personalized benefits package
Employer
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Institute for Environmental Studies (IVM)
Established in 1971, IVM is a leading environmental research institute that is internationally recognised for its high-quality research output in a range of environmental disciplines, as well as for its interdisciplinary work. The mission of the institute is to contribute to sustainable development and care for the environment through scientific research and teaching. IVM aims to do excellent problem-oriented research that is useful to a wide range of stakeholders in the Netherlands and internationally. A unique strength of our research is to understand sustainability problems in their social and economic context. IVM's research community works within four departments: Environmental Economics; Environmental Geography, Environmental Policy Analysis; and Water and Climate Risk. Since 2001 IVM has been part of the Faculty of Science at VU Amsterdam (legal name Stichting VU).
The department of Environmental Policy Analysis (EPA) at IVM is a team of more than 25 researchers that was evaluated in the most recent international research quality review as "world leading" and as being "one of the highest profile academic research groups involved with sustainability governance from around the world". We address questions related to institutional effectiveness and change, governance innovation and complexity as well as learning and adaptation. Empirically, we have a strong focus on energy, climate change, water, and biodiversity.
Faculty of Science
Working at the Faculty of Science means collaborating with students, lecturers and researchers who are focused on their field, yet have a broad view of the world. We are proud of a positive and inclusive workplace culture within the faculty, where we work together with great energy and a pragmatic attitude to tackle social challenges. At the Faculty of Science, scientists and students work on fundamental and complex societal issues for a sustainable, healthy and just future.
From forest fires to big data, from obesity to malnutrition, from helium to the universe and from genetics to medicine: our education and research cover the full breadth of science, from molecules to mankind. Our academic education and research are highly experimental, technical and interdisciplinary in nature. That is why we collaborate extensively with leading scientific institutes and industry. The faculty has more than 8,000 students studying in one of the 39 programms and employs more than 1,400 staff across 10 scientific departments, making us one of the largest science faculties in the Netherlands.
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam stands for values-driven education and research. We are open-minded experts with the ability to think freely - a broader mind. Maintaining an entrepreneurial perspective and concentrating on diversity, significance and humanity, we work on sustainable solutions with social impact. By joining forces, across the boundaries of disciplines, we work towards a better world for people and planet. Together we create a safe and respectful working and study climate, and an inspiring environment for education and research. Learn more about our codes of conduct
We are located on one physical campus, in the heart of Amsterdam's Zuidas business district, with excellent location and accessibility. Over 6,150 staff work at the VU and over 31,000 students attend academic education.
Diversity
Diversity is the driving force of VU Amsterdam. VU wants to be accessible and receptive to diversity in disciplines, cultures, ideas, nationalities, beliefs, preferences and worldviews. We believe that trust, respect, interest and differences lead to new insights and innovation, to sharpness and clarity, to excellence and a broader understanding.
We stand for an inclusive community and believe that diversity and internationalisation contribute to the quality of education, research and our services.
Therefore, we are always searching for people whose backgrounds and experience contribute to the diversity of the VU community.
Additional information
Are you interested in this position and do you believe that your experience will contribute to the further development of our university? In that case, we encourage you to submit your application.
IMPORTANT: Your motivation letter should be limited to 1 page, resumés to 2 pages. Motivation letters that we strongly suspect are generated with ChatGPT or other GenAI language tools will not be considered.
The job interviews are planned mid-October, so please take this into account when applying for the position.
Submitting a diploma and a reference check are part of the application process. Reference checks will be done at the interview stage.
Applications received by e-mail will not be considered.
Acquisition in response to this advertisement is not appreciated.
Working at VU Amsterdam
Working at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam means contributing to a better world. Working beyond the confidence of your own field, working with an open mind and working for the benefit of society.