PhD Candidate: Transition towards Sustainable Plastics at Chemelot (1.0 FTE)

• Employment: 1.0 FTE
• Gross monthly salary: € 2,434 - € 3,111
• Nijmegen School of Management
• Required background: Research University Degree
• Application deadline: 13 August 2021

We are looking for

We are seeking a PhD candidate for the research project 'The transition towards sustainable plastics: bio-based and circular plastics at the Chemelot industrial cluster'. To mitigate climate change, the chemical industry considers large investments in bio-based plastics and plastics recycling through gasification and pyrolysis. However, more knowledge is required about the relative potential of these two deep emission reduction options. So far, studies mainly looked at their technological potential, underappreciating social aspects, while the behaviour of stakeholders across value chains is crucial. To fill this research gap, you will directly collaborate with Chemelot, an industrial cluster in the Dutch province of Limburg and co-funder of the project. You will combine environmental life cycle assessment, participatory system dynamics modelling, and ex-ante policy evaluation to assess the relevant socio-technical systems involved in circular plastics and bioplastics. Apart from gaining more scientific insights in sustainability transitions within hard-to-abate sectors, our project allows Chemelot to underpin effective investment strategies that contribute to a transition towards a sustainable plastics industry. The team of supervisors consists of Dr V. de Gooyert , Prof. H. de Coninck , Prof. M. Huijbregts  and Prof. E. Rouwette . 

Your tasks will include setting up the research, conducting life-cycle assessment, system dynamics modelling, policy evaluation, engaging with stakeholders, writing scientific articles, and disseminating knowledge. In addition, you may be required to teach at the faculty for a total of 360 hours throughout the project, and up to 120 hours per year.
We ask

• A Master's degree in environmental sciences, organisation, innovation or transition studies, or a related field. A Research Master's degree would be an asset. Past activities in the field of life cycle assessment, participatory modelling, system dynamics or policy analysis would also be assets.
• A multidisciplinary background, combining both quantitative and qualitative skills, and a sensitivity to the perspectives of the wide variety of stakeholders.
• Strong, proven interest in academic research that has an impact on climate action in energy-intensive industries.
• Proven organisational and social skills. A good command of written and spoken English. A good command of Dutch would be an asset.

We are

The Nijmegen School of Management  (NSM) is an academic centre of research and higher education, focusing on institutional and managerial issues within complex organisations in both the public and private domains. There are seven disciplines within NSM: Business Administration, Public Administration, Political Science, Economics and Business Economics, Social and Political Sciences of the Environment, Human Geography, and Spatial Planning. NSM strives for a multidisciplinary approach where possible. Altogether, NSM employs 265 FTEs, 75% of whom are academics. 

NSM's research activities fall under the responsibility of the interdisciplinary Institute for Management Research (IMR). Under the motto 'Creating knowledge for society', IMR focuses on academic research into the development, design and effectiveness of the public and private structures that regulate, govern or manage human interactions. The debate on the fundamentals of academic research in the domains covered by NSM is organised in the IMR Academy; the PhD programme is organised in the IMR Doctoral School and the IMR research programme is built around six multidisciplinary research themes linked to strategic and scientifically and societally relevant issues, including European Policy, Gender and Diversity, International Conflicts and Policy, Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Business Ecosystems, Integrated Decision Making , and Governance and Innovations in Social Services. Research groups working on these themes consist of researchers from different disciplines. IMR hosts the Individual Decision lab and the Group Decision lab, which are especially suited for studying collaboration in complex contexts and collective decision making.

Radboud University

We want to get the best out of science, others and ourselves. Why? Because this is what the world around us desperately needs. Leading research and education make an indispensable contribution to a healthy, free world with equal opportunities for all. This is what unites the more than 22,000 students and 5,000 employees at Radboud University. And this requires even more talent, collaboration and lifelong learning. You have a part to play!

We offer

• Employment: 1.0 FTE.
• The gross starting salary amounts to €2,434 per month based on a 38-hour working week, and will increase to €3,111 in the fourth year (salary scale P) .
• In addition to the salary: an 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% end-of-year bonus.
• Duration of the contract: you will be appointed for an initial period of 18 months, after which your performance will be evaluated. If the evaluation is positive, the contract will be extended by 2.5 years (4 year contract).
• You will be able to use our Dual Career and Family Care Services . Our Dual Career and Family Care Officer can assist you with family-related support, help your partner or spouse prepare for the local labour market, provide customized support in their search for employment  and help your family settle in Nijmegen.

Additional employment conditions
Work and science require good employment practices. This is reflected in Radboud University's primary and secondary employment conditions . You can make arrangements for the best possible work-life balance with flexible working hours, various leave arrangements and working from home. You are also able to compose part of your employment conditions yourself, for example, exchange income for extra leave days and receive a reimbursement for your sports subscription. And of course, we offer a good pension plan. You are given plenty of room and responsibility to develop your talents and realise your ambitions. Therefore, we provide various training and development schemes.

Would you like more information?
For more information about this vacancy, please contact:
Dr. V. de Gooyert, Associate Professor
Tel.: +31 24 361 17 67
Email: [email protected]
Apply directly

Please address your application to Dr. V. de Gooyert and submit it, using the application button, no later than 13 August 2021, 23:59 Amsterdam Time Zone.   

Your application should include the following attachments:

• Letter of motivation.
• CV.
• Writing sample. 

The first round of interviews will take place on Monday 6 and Tuesday 7 September 2021. The second round of interviews will take place on Thursday 29 September 2021.

We drafted this vacancy to find and hire our new colleague ourselves. Recruitment agencies are kindly requested to refrain from responding.