Your job
Do you want to contribute to achieving zero pollution in European seas? Do you have experience with social scientific research into complex governance issues, in the sustainability or marine domain? Then you could be the ideal candidate to join our team!
The Environmental Policy group of Wageningen University is looking for a post-doctoral researcher for the Horizon Europe funded programme Source to Seas – Zero Pollution 2030 (SOSZeroPol2030).
SOSZeroPol2030 is in support of the EU’s goal of achieving zero pollution in European seas by 2030 as stipulated under the EU Zero Pollution Strategy. SOS-ZEROPOL2030 will co-design, co-produce, and co-deliver a stakeholder led European Seas zero pollution framework that provides practical guidance from ‘source to sea’ on how to address shortcomings in existing marine pollution management and governance approaches. This framework will identify the main sources, pathways, and effects of the pollutants of microplastics (Tire Wear Particles) and chemicals (PFAS) occurring during, production, use and end-of-life, and the current governance landscape. It will also contribute to knowledge on barriers to effective and efficient prevention, reduction, mitigation and monitoring of marine pollution in European Seas.
As the SOSZeroPol2030 postdoc you develop and operationalize a participatory methodology to support the development of the zero pollution governance framework. You will do this by developing an overview of the constraints and best practices of current governance efforts to achieve zero pollution, especially with regard to microplastics (Tire Wear Particles) and chemicals (PFAS) within the EU and its regional seas. This methodology will require you to organize stakeholder workshops that will complement the interdisciplinary source to sea analysis (conducted by other partners within the project) and your governance analysis of EU approaches to reduce Tire Wear Particles and PFAS pollution. You will also develop governance scenarios through which the zero pollution ambitions of the EU can be achieved.
You will be positioned at the Environmental Policy Group and directly collaborate with, and be guided by, dr. Astrid Hendriksen and dr. Judith van Leeuwen. SOSZeroPol2030 consortium partners are from different marine related research institutions across several EU countries. The project is coordinated by the Science Foundation Ireland Research Centre for Energy, Climate and Marine research and innovation of the University College of Cork.
Your qualities
- A doctorate degree (PhD) in Environmental social sciences, political science, human geography, sociology, social scientific research methodology, or a related field
- Proven experience with qualitative research methodologies, preferably including organizing stakeholder workshops
- Proven experience with social scientific research into complex governance issues, preferably in the sustainability and/or marine domain
- A creative and critical mind towards interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research, and ability to build a network within the domain of the project
- Willingness and commitment to collaborate in a diverse research team and write joint publications in an interdisciplinary setting
- Demonstrated writing skills, including publications in international peer reviewed journals
- For this position your command of the English language is expected to be at C1 level. Sometimes it is necessary to submit an internationally recognised Certificate of Proficiency in the English Language. More information can be found here.
We offer you
Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment. A few highlights from our Collective Labour Agreement include:
- sabbatical leave, study leave, and partially paid parental leave;
- working hours that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow for the best possible work-life balance;
- the option to accrue additional compensation / holiday hours by working more, up to 40 hours per week;
- there is a strong focus on vitality and you can make use of the sports facilities available on campus for a small fee;
- a fixed December bonus of 8.3%;
- holiday allowance of 8%;
- 3-year contract;
- excellent pension scheme;
In addition to these first-rate employee benefits, you will of course receive a good salary. Depending on your experience, we offer a competitive gross salary of between €2960 and €4670 for a full-time working week of 38 hours, in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU) (scale 10). Additionally, a contract for 0.8 FTE can be discussed. Initially, we offer you a contract for 36 months, which will then be extended to an open-ended contract if there is mutual enthusiasm.
Wageningen University & Research encourages internal advancement opportunities and mobility with an internal recruitment policy. There are plenty of options for personal initiative in a learning environment, and we provide excellent training opportunities. We are offering a unique position in an international environment with a pleasant and open working atmosphere.
You are going to work at the greenest and most innovative campus in Holland, and at a university that has been chosen as the “Best University” in the Netherlands for the 18th consecutive time.
Coming from abroad
Wageningen University & Research is the university and research center for life sciences. The themes we deal with are relevant to everyone around the world and Wageningen, therefore, has a large international community and a lot to offer to international employees.
Our team of advisors on Dutch immigration procedures will help you with the visa application procedures for yourself and, if applicable, for your family.
Feeling welcome also has everything to do with being well informed. Wageningen University & Research’s International Community page contains practical information about what we can do to support international employees and students coming to Wageningen. Furthermore, we can assist you with any additional advice and information about helping your partner to find a job, housing, schooling. For instance under the “30% rule”, certain categories of international staff can receive tax exemption on approximately 30% of their gross salary.
Do you want more information?
Additional information about the vacancy can be obtained from:
Dr. Judith van Leeuwen, Associate Professor, E Email: judith.vanleeuwen@wur.nl
Noorien Abbas, Corporate Recruiter, Email: noorien.abbas@wur.nl
You can apply directly using the apply button on the vacancy page on our website which will allow us to process your personal information with your approval.
This vacancy will be listed up to and including 15th March 2023. We hope to schedule the first job interviews on 1st May 2023.
Equal opportunities
Wageningen University & Research (WUR) employs a large number of people with very different backgrounds and qualities, who inspire and motivate each other. We want every talent to feel at home in our organisation and be offered the same career opportunities. We therefore especially welcome applications from people who are underrepresented at WUR. For more information please go to our inclusivity page. A good example of how WUR deals with inclusiveness can be read on the page working at WUR with a functional impairment.
We are
Wageningen University & Research
The mission of Wageningen University & Research is “To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life”. Under the banner Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen University and the specialised research institutes of the Wageningen Research Foundation have joined forces in contributing to finding solutions to important questions in the domain of healthy food and living environment. With its roughly 30 branches, 7,200 employees (6,400 fte) and 13,200 students and over 150.000 participants to WUR’s Life Long Learning, Wageningen University & Research is one of the leading organisations in its domain. The unique Wageningen approach lies in its integrated approach to issues and the collaboration between different disciplines.
Read the 5 reasons why your future colleagues enjoy working at WUR and watch this video to get an idea of our green campus!
We will recruit for the vacancy ourselves, so no employment agencies please. However, sharing in your network is appreciated.
