"Postdoctoral Researcher in Citizen Science & Societal Engagement for an Inclusive Energy Transition"

Job Summary

This 2-year full-time Postdoc position is part of the NWO-funded EmPowerEd project, focusing on enabling Positive Energy Districts through citizen-centred socio-technical models for upscaling the heat transition. The role involves effective and inclusive citizen engagement and support for scalable PED designs, based in the Institute of Public Administration and the Citizen Science Lab at Leiden University.

Responsibilities

• Perform a systematic review of academic and grey literature on societal engagement and Citizen Science practices relevant to the energy transition.
• Work closely with consortium members and partners in locations such as Groningen, Nijmegen, Eindhoven, and Tilburg to integrate their knowledge and experience.
• Contribute to the development, testing, and iterative improvements of tools and resources for Citizen Science approaches in PEDs.
• Write and publish insights and outcomes for both academic and practitioner audiences.
• Contribute to the regular work of the FGGA department and Citizen Science Lab, including publishing scientific papers, giving guest lectures, and providing teaching support.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Recently completed PhD or have a planned defense date.
• Passionate about transdisciplinarity, citizen science, and societal engagement practices.
• Knowledgeable about energy transitions, with prior knowledge of Positive Energy Districts.
• Interested in an academic career balancing research with societal engagement, and producing publications for scientific and practitioner audiences.
• Proficient in English and have a good command of Dutch (B2/C1 level).
• Strong independent researcher and team player with good writing skills for academic and lay audiences.
• Able to interact with stakeholders, conduct desk research, and systematize scientific literature.

What the Employer Offers

• An employment contract as a post-doc for 0.8-1.0 FTE for 2 years.
• Salary from €4,537 to €6,209 gross per month based on a full-time appointment (38 hours).
• Holiday allowance (8%), end-of-year bonus (8.3%), attractive pension scheme, and full reimbursement of public transport commuting costs.
• Flexible working hours, options for extra leave, and hybrid working within the Netherlands.
• A stimulating work environment with opportunities for personal development, located in The Hague and Leiden.