PhD Position in Sustainable Development

Your job

Universities are increasingly expected to contribute to solving grand societal challenges, such as climate change, loss of biodiversity, or threats to global health. One way of doing so is to educate change agents. The primary goals of change agent education are to realise societal impact and promote the personal development of students by fostering change agent knowledge and competencies (examples include systems thinking, project management, knowledge about societal problems, design thinking, etc.) (see Van Rijnsoever, Sitzler, and Baggen, 2023). This is achieved through experiential learning and community-engaged learning. There is no one-size-fits-all model; students adopt various roles within teams operating during the change process. Additionally, the type of change agent activities they engage in can vary, encompassing a range of approaches such as social entrepreneurship, social activism, or governmental interventions. This position is guided by the question: How does using pedagogies and knowledge associated with change agent education influence societal impact and the personal development of students?

In this fully funded six-year position, you will seek answers to this question by analysing the impact of education in European regions using big data analysis techniques, survey research among alumni, and longitudinal monitoring of individual students in programs.

You will develop a solid portfolio of 21st-century research skills, gain teaching experience, and engage with practitioners, enabling you to jump-start your future (academic) career.

Over a period of six years, you will conduct doctoral research and obtain a University Teaching Qualification. Your research tasks would occupy about 60% of your time, and teaching tasks about 40%. Time is reserved for training and development, including PhD and teaching courses. These courses will partially take place abroad. Additionally, part of your job is to present your work at international conferences. During the six-year period, the progress of your research will be evaluated at predetermined intervals.

Your qualities

We are looking for a talented researcher with a passion for teaching who meets the following requirements:

• a (Research) Master's degree in education sciences, innovation studies, business or management, data science, or a related discipline;
• proven knowledge of or talent for quantitative research in social sciences (e.g., statistics, surveys, experiments, web scraping, artificial intelligence, large data sets);
• good team work skills and a proactive organiser;
• comfortable conducting multidisciplinary research and interacting with key stakeholders;
• academic writing skills in English;
• proficiency in Dutch at a basic level, or a willingness to achieve this;
• eagerness to conduct innovative and thorough research, culminating in a PhD degree.

Nice-to-Haves:

• knowledge or experience with forms of change agent education, such as challenge-based learning, community-engaged learning, transdisciplinary learning, or work-based learning;
• experience with teaching in a classroom setting.

Our offer

We offer:

• a position for six years;
• a working week of 38 hours and a gross monthly salary between €3,345 and €4,185 in the case of full-time employment (salary scale 10.0 - 10.5 under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU)); 
• 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus; 
• a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU. 

In addition to the terms of employment laid down in the CAO NU, Utrecht University has a number of schemes and facilities of its own for employees. This includes schemes facilitating professional development, leave schemes and schemes for sports and cultural activities, as well as discounts on software and other IT products. We also offer access to additional employee benefits through our Terms of Employment Options Model. In this way, we encourage our employees to continue to invest in their growth. For more information, please visit Working at Utrecht University.

About us

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 Pathways to Sustainability. Sharing science, shaping tomorrow.

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.

More information

For more information, please contact Dr Frank van Rijnsoever (associate professor Innovation, entrepreneurship and education) at f.j.vanrijnsoever@uu.nl.

Candidates for this vacancy will be recruited by Utrecht University.

Apply now

As Utrecht University, we want to be a home for everyone. We value staff with diverse backgrounds, perspectives and identities, including cultural, religious or ethnic background, gender, sexual orientation, disability or age. We strive to create a safe and inclusive environment in which everyone can flourish and contribute.

To apply, please send your curriculum vitae, including a letter of motivation, via the ‘apply now’ button.

The application deadline is 15 October 2024.