Postdoc - Monitoring, evaluation, and learning in agroecological innovation hubs

Postdoc - Monitoring, evaluation, and learning in agroecological innovation hubs
Postdoc - Monitoring, evaluation, and learning in agroecological innovation hubs

Published	Deadline	Location
25 Nov	19 Dec	Wageningen

Job description
In this postdoc position you will contribute to the development of agroecology on farms in Europe by bringing together scientific and experiential knowledge.
You will do this by shaping and scientifically analyzing a research-in-action project that aims to support 'innovation hub' actors in their efforts to overcome barriers and lock-ins. You will participate in a vibrant European network with a focus on addressing climate change, biodiversity, and socio-economic sustainability at farm and regional levels.
This is what you are going to do:

• Act as monitor of the 11 Innovation Hubs (IHs) around Europe, and for this purpose attend the annual Co-innovation workshops and project meetings and the intermediary video calls
• Scientifically analyze researcher - IH actor collaboration to enhance theory on transition experiments
• Support the IH learning by feedback of results

The project
The "Trans-disciplinary approaches for systemic economic, ecological and climate change transitions" (Agroecology-TRANSECT) Horizon Europe research and innovation project aims to contribute to releasing the full potential of agroecology for European agriculture by strengthening the knowledge base for farmers and advisors and supporting policy makers. It aims to deliver robust evidence of the benefits of agroecology on climate change mitigation, biodiversity, and farm socio-economic resilience. To achieve these objectives, Agroecology-TRANSECT supports the transition to agroecology through co-innovation methodology including a transdisciplinary collaboration between researchers and societal actors. The project operates in European landscapes with a diverse range of crop, animal and integrated crop-livestock systems, and strongly contrasting biogeographical and socio-economic contexts.
In the project, a reflexive approach to innovation in agroecological Innovation Hubs (IHs) is fostered. For this purpose three-monthly online check-in meetings are organized as well as annual Co-innovation workshops where the IH teams reflect on past activities to plan next activities. In addition, annual learning histories provide insights into IH functioning. Information on the social aspects of the innovation processes in the IHs is complemented with information on progress indicators describing climate change mitigation, biodiversity, and farm socio-economic resilience, which are provided by a fellow postdoc. Methods and tools for monitoring performances should provide generalizable answers to policy makers willing to support the transition towards agroecology, while at the same time being sensitive enough to provide references in a specific context.
This project also includes two other positions that may be of intererst to you or your network.
Postdoc - Multi-criteria analysis of agricultural landscapes in agroecological landscapes
Postdoc - Identifying recommendation domains for agroecology in Europe
Specifications

• max. 38 hours per week
• Wageningen View on Google Maps

Wageningen University & Research

Requirements

• A PhD in human geography; science and technology studies; sociology of innovation; knowledge, technology and innovation; sustainability sciences, or similar.
• Knowledge of / clear interest in agro-ecological systems.
• Proven experience with qualitative and quantitative social science methods, such as realist project evaluation, qualitative comparative analysis, or multifactorial analysis.
• A proven scientific ambition, proven performance in scientific writing, and strong ambition to publish (candidates are invited to provide 1 or 2 examples of their written work).
• An ambition to work as engaged researcher in action-oriented settings.
• Ability to communicate effectively with different scientific disciplines and actors from different fields of agriculture within Europe.
• Ability to function as a team member, participate in project meetings and discussions.
• An interest to supervise MSc thesis students working on the same topic.

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 .
Conditions of employment
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%;
• excellent pension scheme.

In addition to these first-rate employee benefits, we offer a competitive salary depending on education and experience of minimum € 2.960,- to maximum € 4.670,- gross 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. We offer a contract for 12 months which will be extended for the duration of the project (24 months) if you perform well.
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 centre 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. Applicants from abroad moving to the Netherlands may qualify for a special tax relief , known as the 30% ruling. 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, and other issues.
Employer
Wageningen University & Research
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 specialized 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 collaegues 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.
Additional information
For more information about this function, please contact Dr Walter Rossing, Associate Professor, e-mail: [email protected]
For more information about the procedure, please contact [email protected]
Do you want to apply?
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 19 December 2022.
The first job interviews will take place in the first half of January 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 .
Join us and come work at WUR

At Wageningen University & Research, you work at improving the quality of life. Together with your colleagues, you seek to answer the challenges within our domain 'healthy food and living environment.'

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Back to the vacancy
Application procedure
For more information about this function, please contact Dr Walter Rossing, Associate Professor, e-mail: [email protected]
For more information about the procedure, please contact [email protected]
Do you want to apply?
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 19 December 2022.
The first job interviews will take place in the first half of January 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 .