Assistant/Associate Professor Just and Equitable Sustainability Transformations

9 Mar 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU)

Research Field

Cultural studies

Researcher Profile

Leading Researcher (R4)
Established Researcher (R3)

Country

Netherlands

Application Deadline

27 Mar 2024 – 22:59 (UTC)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Not Applicable

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

The recent energy crisis, food system challenges and the undeniable manifestation of climate change make it increasingly evident that conventional ways of governing and innovating are not well-geared to adequately respond to the urgent sustainability challenges we face today. Institutionalized ways of working and thinking often prevent the required sustainability transformations rather than fostering them. Furthermore, many vulnerable and marginalized groups are often left behind in sustainability research and actions. System transformation thus not only needs to be directed at the systems we aspire to transform – the food system, the energy system, the health system, etc. – but equally and reflexively at the research, the knowledge and innovation systems that are to support these transformations.

This position specifically focuses on ‘responsible research and innovation’ that strengthens the transformative potential of governance arrangements for realizing sustainability transformations that are ‘just’ and ‘equitable’. This implies that governance and knowledge production processes around sustainability transformations should include the perspectives of those who are marginalized and neglected. To this end, it is important to better understand what just and equitable transformations are, as well as to contest institutionalized ways of working and thinking, including institutionalized inequality. This research will therefore, amongst other topics, focus on institutionalizing reflexivity and (un)learning-in-action amidst paradoxes in governance. To ensure that issue-articulation and the exploration of solutions are developed in collaboration with a wide range of actors, research will be conducted that is primarily transdisciplinary in nature, including methods such as citizen science, multi-stakeholder dialogues, frame reflection labs, participatory action research and reflexive monitoring in action.

Your duties
This position starts at the level of assistant or associate professor (research, education; 50:50%), depending on the expertise of the candidate, and is located at the Athena Institute. Research tasks include, but are not limited to, contributing to acquiring research funding in this area, further conceptualizing this area of research from multiple theoretical perspectives, co-designing and implementing innovations in collaboration with stakeholders from the quadruple helix, and facilitating mutual learning and reflection sessions. Teaching tasks are embedded in the wide variety of courses offered by the Athena Institute and include course coordination, workgroup coaching and lecturing as well as supervising Master students during their internships, theses writing and literature reviews on diverse topics pertaining to the wider educational programme of the Athena Institute. In addition, you are expected to fulfil more overarching tasks with respect to curriculum development and quality control. With respect to management, you will (co-)supervise several PhD students, junior researchers/lecturers and postdoctoral researchers, and participate in coordination and strategic meetings of the Athena Institute (and beyond). You are expected to collaborate with different colleagues in projects across a range of research themes.

Requirements
Specific Requirements

• A PhD in sustainability science, science communication, science, technology & society studies, transition studies, innovation studies, philosophy, political science, or a related (inter)discipline; an additional background in the life sciences or natural sciences is a plus;
• Proven experience with experimental methods for the transdisciplinary study of challenges in the field of sustainability transformations;
• Experience with designing and facilitating multistakeholder group discussions and reflection sessions as part of change-oriented processes.
• Familiarity with research methods such as multi-stakeholder dialogues, frame reflection labs, participatory action research, experimental approaches to citizen science, and reflexive monitoring in action;
• Preferably possessing domain-knowledge and relevant connections in the domains relevant for the Athena Institute of ‘food, environment & sustainability’ or ‘(global) health & well-being’;
• Proven ability to be a strong collaborator within interdisciplinary teams (capable of listening, flexible, adaptive, pro-active);
• Strong and relevant publication track-record, commensurate with the candidate’s career stage and complementing and extending the Athena Institute’s research portfolio;
• Experience with applying for research grants and externally funded projects;
• Excellent teaching skills and the ability to inspire students (demonstrated through a.o. positive student evaluations);
• A teaching qualification (in Dutch BKO), or the willingness to obtain one;
• An (inter)national network relevant to the position;
• Excellent command of English is imperative, good command of Dutch is a plus.

As a university, we strive for equal opportunities for all, recognising that diversity takes many forms. We believe that diversity in all its complexity is invaluable for the quality of our teaching, research and service. We are always looking for talent with diverse backgrounds and experiences. This also means that we are committed to creating an inclusive community so that we can use diversity as an asset.

We realise that each individual brings a unique set of skills, expertise and mindset. Therefore we are happy to invite anyone who recognises themselves in the profile to apply, even if you do not meet all the requirements.

Additional Information
Benefits

A challenging career track position in a socially engaged organisation, from Assistant Professor 2 to Assistant Professor 1, or from Associate Professor 2 to Associate Professor 1, depending on your level of education, expertise and experience.

At VU Amsterdam, you contribute to education, research and service for a better world. And that is valuable. So in return for your efforts, we offer you:

• Assistant Professor 2: a salary of minimum € 4.332 and maximum of € 5.929 (Scale 11) gross per month, on a full-time basis. The exact salary depends on your years of revelant experience.
• Associate Professor 2: a salary of minimum € 6.002 and maximum of € 57.305 (Scale 13) gross per month, on a full-time basis.The exact salary depends on your years of relevant experience.
• a position for 0,8 – 1 FTE. Your employment contract will initially last 18 months. Afterwards, there is a prospect of a permanent contract.

We also offer you attractive fringe benefits and regulations. Some examples:

• A full-time 38-hour working week comes with a holiday leave entitlement of 232 hours per year. For part-timers, this is calculated pro rata.
• 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus
• solid pension scheme (ABP)
• possibility to save holiday hours, for sabbatical leave
• child daycare facilities available on campus

Additional comments

Are you interested in this position and do you believe that your experience will contribute to the further development of our university? In that case, we encourage you to submit your application.

Submitting a diploma and an assessment are part of the application procedure.

Applications received by e-mail will not be considered.

Acquisition in response to this advertisement is not appreciated.

Website for additional job details

https://www.academictransfer.com/338820/

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Country

Netherlands

City

Amsterdam

Postal Code

1081HV

Street

De Boelelaan 1085

Geofield

Where to apply

Website

https://www.academictransfer.com/en/338820/assistantassociate-professor-just-an…

Contact

City

Amsterdam

Website

http://www.vu.nl/

Street

De Boelelaan 1105

Postal Code

1081 HV

STATUS: EXPIRED