PhD position - Accelerating sustainability in industry by means of people and technology

9 Feb 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

Wageningen University & Research

Research Field

Cultural studies

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

Netherlands

Application Deadline

4 Mar 2024 - 23:00 (UTC)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Not Applicable

Hours Per Week

38.0

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

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

No

Offer Description

Are you passionate about embedding sustainability at the centre of businesses and the role of technology in shaping a sustainable future? Are you eager to bridge the gap between cutting-edge technology and its application by people to impact business’ KPIs, not afraid of inter- and transdisciplinary research and motivated to do a PhD? Do you have a MSc in learning sciences, organizational behaviour studies, innovation studies or a related field? Then this PhD position is for you!

The chair Education and Learning Sciences , Wageningen University and Research, in collaboration with Radboud University, ISPT, and various industry partners are looking for a PhD candidate to join their transdisciplinary research project Fingerprints to Footprint (F2F ).

Dutch industry realizes it has to reduce its environmental impact without losing its economic viability. Industry 4.0 and 5.0 are on their way. In this context the project F2F is launched. In F2F the question is raised how to harness the untapped potential of in situ fingerprinting data to move faster and significantly shrink the industries’ footprint. Radboud University has the lead in the fingerprinting data collection and analysis, the focus in this PhD project is on the human side of developing and implementing such technological innovations.

In this project the role of the employees (i.e., process operators) and their involvement in the innovation process is studied. The importance of the human element in the implementation of technological innovations is often overlooked. With the help of the theories of lifelong learning, human resource development, team learning, innovation, and co-creation we will work on this issue. Central questions are: what helps and hinders employees who have to work with fingerprint to implement it smoothly? How can innovation-oriented employees and teams be supported in using and advancing these technological innovations? The main aim of the project is to smoothen and speed up the process and use of fingerprint data in order to reduce industry’s footprint.

As you collaborate with colleagues with different backgrounds, from academia and outside of academia, you have the opportunity to make a difference in the implementation of evidence-based, sustainable initiatives in businesses at the shop floor. You do so by conducting scientific research and directly translate the results to practice – realizing societal impact by working on the project.

We are seeking to expand our team with you as our new researcher to work in this project.

Your duties and responsibilities are:

• synthesize literature on lifelong learning, HRD, team learning, and co-creation (in the field of Industry 4.0/5.0);
• conduct interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research together with academic and non-academic stakeholders;
• translate literature findings into innovative research methods to find out what helps and hinders the implementation of fingerprint-based activities;
• collaborate with (R&D) employees, operators, and their managers to investigate and optimize processes to facilitate the process of fingerprint-based activities;
• implement and evaluate designed interventions in various stages of process development within industrial settings and across diverse stakeholder groups;
• write a dissertation in the form of scientific articles;
• actively engage in discussions on the adoption and implementation of process data models, and disseminate research outcomes.

Requirements
Specific Requirements

You have:

• an MSc in fields such as learning sciences, organizational behavior, or innovation studies, with a track record of interdisciplinary research and a thirst for scientific advancement;
• affinity with sustainability transitions, Industry 4.0/5.0 complemented with an ambition to publish in scientific journals;.
• eagerness to grow as a scientist and at the same time to realize societal impact;
• creative and innovative mindset;
• exceptional networking skills and a knack for thriving in international, transdisciplinary and collaborative environments;
• dedication, openness to feedback, and the ability to empathize with others;
• fluency in English, knowledge of Dutch language is very much desirable;

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 .

Additional Information
Benefits

Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment . A few highlights from our Collective Labour Agreement include:

• 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, you will receive a fully funded PhD position and you will be offered a course program tailored to your needs and the research team.
The gross salary for the first year is € 2.770 - per month rising to € 3.539,- in the fourth year in according to the Collective Labour Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU) (scale P). This is based on a full-time working week of 38 hours. We offer a temporary contract for 18 months which will be extended for the duration of the project if you perform well.

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 19th 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.
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 for example helping your partner to find a job, housing, or schooling. Finally, certain categories of international staff may be eligible for a tax exemption on a part of their salary during the first five years in the Netherlands.

Selection process

For more information about this position, please contact Renate Wesselink, by email: [email protected]
For more information about the procedure, please contact Noorien Abbas , corporate recruiter, by email: [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 4 March 2024. We hope to schedule the first job interviews on 14 March 2024.

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. A good example of how WUR deals with inclusiveness can be read on the page working at WUR with a functional impairment .

Additional comments

For more information about this position, please contact Renate Wesselink, by email: [email protected]
For more information about the procedure, please contact Noorien Abbas , corporate recruiter, by email: [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 4 March 2024. We hope to schedule the first job interviews on 14 March 2024.

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. A good example of how WUR deals with inclusiveness can be read on the page working at WUR with a functional impairment .

Website for additional job details

https://www.academictransfer.com/337576/

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Wageningen University & Research

Country

Netherlands

City

Wageningen

Postal Code

6708 PB

Street

Droevendaalsesteeg

Geofield

Where to apply

Website

https://www.academictransfer.com/en/337576/phd-position-accelerating-sustainabi…

Contact

City

Wageningen

Website

http://www.wageningenur.nl

Street

Droevendaalsesteeg

Postal Code

6708 PB

STATUS: EXPIRED