"Postdoc SPINES project: Tipping dynamics towards fair and efficient use of infrastructure"

Job Description

Are you analytically strong and want to help structure complex societal challenges such as the energy transition and drinking water scarcity in workshops with infrastructure managers? Develop within the SPINES project in a sector-transcending collaboration!

The Radboud University is looking for a postdoc for the research 'Tipping dynamics towards fair and efficient use of infrastructure'. This position is part of the SPINES project funded by NWO-NG INFRA. The SPINES project is a collaboration between Radboud University, University of Twente, University of Groningen, Hogeschool Utrecht, the main infrastructure managers in the Netherlands (Rijkswaterstaat, ProRail, Vitens, Alliander, Port of Rotterdam, and Schiphol Amsterdam Airport) and various societal partners.

Todays societal challenges require infrastructure managers to change their role in society. While infrastructure was largely demand-driven in the past, current scarcity and uncertainties about the future force managers to abandon this approach. They are seeking new ways to make the use of infrastructure fairer and more efficient towards desired societal outcomes.

As a postdoc researcher within the SPINES project, you will investigate why it is difficult to change a demand-driven system. You will study how new patterns of infrastructure use can emerge through the interaction between infrastructure decisions, government policy, and the behavior of end-users.

Investigating tipping points (tipping dynamics) that lead to substantial shifts in infrastructure use by characterizing the factors that promote or hinder demand for infrastructure.

Identifying opportunities based on the tipping points and underlying factors for infrastructure managers, policymakers, and end-users to actively work towards a fairer and more efficient use of infrastructure.

Requirements

You have obtained a PhD in a relevant social science field (for example, (technical) public administration, business administration, planning, sociology, political science), or are almost finished with your PhD.

You have demonstrable experience in the field of transitions, infrastructure, governance, and (participatory) methods, as evidenced by academic publications.

You have knowledge of and experience with qualitative research methods, particularly research methods related to participatory research or action research. Experience with the use or application of models (for example, Group Model Building, system dynamics) is a plus.

You enjoy working with partners and stakeholders from practice and are able to bring them together. You have an interest in interdisciplinary research and work well with other researchers (including PhDs) within the project.

You have experience with teaching and are willing to teach in bachelor or master programs.

You have excellent written and oral skills in Dutch and English and good academic writing skills.

Employment Conditions

You will receive a temporary employment contract for 1.5 years.

Your salary starts at €4,412 gross per month (salary scale 10, step 5) based on a 38-hour workweek and increases further in salary scale 10. The amounts in the scale are based on a 38-hour workweek.

You receive 8% vacation allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus.

You get extra days off with us. With a full-time position, you can choose between 30 or 41 vacation days instead of the legally required 20.

Additional employment conditions include flexible working hours, various leave arrangements, working from home, and the ability to customize part of your employment conditions.