Two Assistant Professors in Innovation Studies (0.8 - 1.0 FTE)

The Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development is looking for two new colleagues in the field of innovation studies. The institute has joint research foci on transitions, governance and modelling in the domains of sustainable energy, food, land, water and circular economy. We also participate in Utrecht University's strategic themes 'Institutions for Open Societies', 'Pathways to Sustainability' and 'Life Sciences'.
The institute has a long history in research and teaching on innovation. We understand innovation in a broad perspective, looking at various forms of innovation (technological, service, institutional, social, sustainable) by a range of actors (citizens, business, government, university) and linking to various societal challenges (climate change, biodiversity loss, resource scarcity, pollution, inequality, ageing, and health). Our research and teaching are interdisciplinary, while building on and combining insights from both social and natural sciences.
You will teach courses of the Science & Innovation Management Bachelor's programme as well as the Master's programme Innovation Sciences and/or Sustainable Business & Innovation. Your role and input in courses will depend on your personal expertise and your fields of interests. Furthermore, you will supervise Master's theses in the Innovation Sciences and Sustainable Business & Innovation programmes.
You will do research on innovation for societal challenges in public, private and/or civil-society contexts. Additionally, you will contribute to the acquisition and execution of externally funded projects.
You will be embedded in the Innovation Studies section, as part of the Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development, covering science and technology dynamics, sustainability transitions and innovation policy as central topics. The section hosts a large group of tenured staff (over 23.0 FTE) as well as many PhD candidates, postdocs and junior lecturers. It is run by Professors Flor Avelino , Koen Frenken and Ellen Moors . The group culture is open, supportive and collaborative. 

As our new colleague, you: 

• hold a doctoral degree (PhD) related to innovation studies, transition studies, science & technology studies, geography, economics, management, or a related discipline; 
• have a proven affinity with the topic of innovation in a broad sense; 
• have experience with and an interest in academic teaching; 
• are open to educational innovations; 
• have a basic teaching qualification or are willing to obtain this qualification within two years of the appointment; 
• feel comfortable working in inter- and transdisciplinary settings; 
• have a network for the acquisition of externally funded projects; 
• have skills in qualitative and/or quantitative methods;  
• have a record of international peer-reviewed publications; 
• are connected to relevant academic partners as well as relevant stakeholders in society; 
• have experience in social engagement and public outreach; 
• have excellent communication skills; 
• are able to demonstrate excellent English language proficiency. We require a qualification English at C1 level (CEFR or comparable to level 3 of the Lecturer Assessment Grid) or you are prepared to obtain this level by training;
• are proficient in Dutch or prepared to acquire Dutch language skills. 

Taxation 
International staff can receive tax exemption on approximately thirty per cent of their gross salary. This is to compensate for the extra costs they incur in living abroad, such as having to rent temporary accommodation, etc. In principle, the 30% rule applies to staff who have been expressly recruited from another country and who have a formal contract of employment in the Netherlands. 

A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University , the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major strategic themes . Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Sustainability. For an impression of the university, please visit Utrecht University Campus Tour .
Utrecht University's Faculty of Geosciences studies the Earth: from the Earth's core to its surface, including man's spatial and material utilisation of the Earth - always with a focus on sustainability and innovation. With 3,400 students (BSc and MSc) and 720 staff, the faculty is a strong and challenging organisation. The Faculty of Geosciences is organised in four Departments: Earth Sciences, Human Geography & Spatial Planning, Physical Geography, and Sustainable Development.
The Copernicus Institute is part of the Faculty of Geosciences. At the Copernicus Institute, our goal is to have a positive impact on the transition towards a sustainable future. The Copernicus Institute has had an excellent research evaluation in 2021 and the institute takes pride in maintaining its leading position in national and international sustainability research, and by developing new, internationally oriented teaching programmes. 

For more information about this position, please contact Prof Koen Frenken (Chairman Innovation Studies), via [email protected] . 

Everyone deserves to feel at home at our university. We welcome employees with a wide variety of backgrounds and perspectives.
To apply, please send your curriculum vitae, including a letter of motivation via the ‘apply’ button below. Please also add the following information with your application in a short Excel file: 

• title of your PhD thesis; 
• university and year of PhD; 
• your current position; 
• three keywords of your expertise;
• your three most relevant publications.