Postdoc Accelerating the Circular Transition

15 Aug 2026
Job Information

Organisation/Company

Utrecht University

Research Field

Environmental science » Global change
Environmental science » Natural resources management

Researcher Profile

Recognised Researcher (R2)

Application Deadline

7 Sep 2026 - 21:59 (UTC)

Country

Netherlands

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Not Applicable

Hours Per Week

32.0

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by a EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

ACT! is seeking a postdoc to develop practical tools for assessing circular transition pathways and accelerating systemic change and to monitor the deployment of these pathways.
We are seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher to join the ACT! Accelerating the Circular Transition NWA-funded project, which brings together researchers, universities, and societal partners.
Your job
The postdoctoral researcher will join the Deep Transition Lab team, which is responsible for Work Package 3 (WP3) on identifying and evaluating actionable transition pathways. The team is led by Prof. Dr. Johan Schot at Utrecht University.
ACT aims to accelerate the transition towards a circular society in the Netherlands by 2050 through the development of historical and systemic approaches, analytical tools, and transition pathways that address the environmental, economic, and social challenges associated with linear economies.
The successful candidate will focus on (i) assessing future-oriented circular transition pathways and (ii) monitoring their deployment. These pathways will be used to identify and evaluate interventions capable of enabling systemic change towards a circular economy and society. The postdoctoral researcher will contribute to the development of rigorous and repeatable methods for assessing whether, how, and to what extent these transition pathways are driving structural change.
You will:

• select and co-develop indicators and methods to assessing circular transition pathways and systemic change across environmental, economic and social dimensions;
• apply approaches like network analysis and complementary systems-change-oriented methods to national-scale case studies, while supporting the development of pathways and theories of change;
• develop reproducible analytical tools, workflows and monitoring and evaluation frameworks for repeated assessment across cases;
• Monitor the deployment of the co-development pathways.

The postdoctoral researcher will work closely with colleagues developing pathways in Work Package 3, modelling and simulation tools in Work Package 2, and case studies in Work Package 4. This will involve aligning pathway development with suitable assessment approaches, co-designing monitoring strategies, analyzing interventions, and ensuring consistency across project outputs. The postdoctoral researcher will take a leading role in developing a robust toolkit for monitoring transition pathways and assessing progress towards systemic change, with explicit attention to sustainability, justice and fairness.
Your key responsibilities include:
Develop and refine metrics and analytical methods for measuring systems change and transition pathways;

• Apply network analysis and complementary methods across regional and local -scale case studies;
• Develop reproducible analytical tools and workflows for repeatable measurement of systems change across cases;
• Analyze and communicate findings through research outputs, practical tools and engagement with project partners;
• M&E framework to evaluate future transition pathways for a circular society;
• Co-design theories of change with project partners to co-develop systemic strategies for stakeholders;
• Monitor the deployment of co-developed transition pathways;
• Prepare academic publications and contribute to project deliverables;
• Engage with stakeholders, including policymakers, businesses, and NGOs, to co-create and refine pathway analysis and possible interventions;
• Present research findings related to M&E at project meetings, workshops, and conferences;
• Contribute to Deep Transition Lab activities see www.transformativeinvestment.net and the Social and Economic History Group in the History and Art History Department.

Where to apply

Website

https://www.academictransfer.com/en/jobs/363280/postdoc-accelerating-the-circul…

Requirements
Specific Requirements

• A PhD in any relevant social science or humanities discipline;
• a proven record of several peer-reviewed publications;
• strong expertise in sustainability transitions research (ideally with a justice lens);
• strong expertise in circular economy theory and practice is a plus;
• prior experience with development of measurement tools is a plus;
• excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to work independently as well as collaboratively;
• a team player capable of managing multiple projects simultaneously;
• strong written and verbal communication skills in Dutch (nice-to-have) and English (must-have).

Some combination of one or more of the below competencies and skills is required, but any single one is nice-to-have.

• Experience with social network analysis and related systems-mapping methods;
• Experience with longitudinal and comparative case-study research;
• Strong skills in building and managing complex relational datasets;
• Proficiency in Python, R or comparable analytical languages and software;
• Proficiency in the use of large-language models (LLMs) for quantitative and/or qualitative research processes;
• Experience translating theoretical concepts into indicators, coding frameworks or assessment tools;
• Ability to interpret complex quantitative and qualitative findings for academic and non-academic audiences.

Additional Information
Benefits

• a temporary position for 12 months. After a positive evaluation the position may be extended to a maximum of 33 months in total;
• a 0,8 FTE position;
• a gross monthly salary of €4,925 in the case of full-time employment (salary scale 11, level 0, job profile, Researcher 3 according to the University Job Classification (UFO), under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU));
• 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus;
• a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU.

In addition to the terms of employment laid down in the CAO NU, Utrecht University also offers a range of its own schemes for employees. This includes arrangements for professional development , various types of leave, and options for sports and cultural activities . You can also tailor your employment conditions through our Terms of Employment Options Model. In this way, we encourage you to keep investing in your personal and professional development. For more information, please visit Working at Utrecht University .

Selection process

At Utrecht University, we strive to be a place where everyone feels at home. We value colleagues with different backgrounds, perspectives and identities, including differences in culture, religion or ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, neurodiversity, disability and age. We are committed to creating a safe and inclusive environment where everyone can thrive and contribute. Read more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion. If you have any questions about accessibility, for example regarding your workplace Drift 6 , the application process or your work, please contact us via our HR contact page.
Knowledge security screening can be part of the selection procedures of academic staff. We do this, among other things, to prevent the unwanted transfer of sensitive knowledge and technology.
To apply, please send your curriculum vitae, including a letter of motivation, via the ‘apply now’ button.
The interviews are scheduled for 22 September.

Additional comments

For more information, please contact Dr. Lis Suarez Visbal at [email protected]
Candidates for this vacancy will be recruited by Utrecht University.

Website for additional job details

https://www.academictransfer.com/363280/

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Universiteit Utrecht

Country

Netherlands

City

Utrecht

Postal Code

3512BS

Street

Drift 6

Contact

City

Utrecht

Website

http://www.uu.nl/

Street

Domplein 29

Postal Code

3512 JE

STATUS: EXPIRED

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