The Environmental Psychology group at the University of Groningen invites applications for a temporal post-doctoral researcher position (48 months). The aim of the project is to investigate how people cope with a changing climate, and how they evaluate different adaptation pathway scenarios. The research is funded by the Stevin prize awarded by the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO) to Linda Steg for her pioneering, innovative and socially impactful research (https://www.nwo.nl/prof-dr-linda-steg).

Environmental Psychology at the University of Groningen has a national and international reputation for excellence. Research within the Environmental Psychology group focuses on a wide range of topics, including understanding which factors influence sustainable behaviours (such as energy use, car use, food consumption); understanding how people cope with environmental and climate risks; understanding the effectiveness of strategies to promote sustainable behaviour; understanding the acceptability of environmental policies; and the effects of sustainable behaviour on wellbeing. The research contributes to theory development and to practice, and is embedded in the research program Interpersonal Behaviour, as well as in two of the focus areas of the University of Groningen: Energy and Sustainable Society. The Environmental Psychology group collaborates with scholars from different disciplines within and outside the University of Groningen, as well as with governments, NGOs, businesses, and organisations.

The project
The most recent IPCC report indicates that global temperatures will likely increase by 1.5 to 3.6 degrees in the coming century. This will have large scale consequences for life on earth, with increases in climate-related hazards, vector-borne diseases, and loss of critical biodiversity. It is therefore necessary that people across the globe prepare for significant and unprecedented impacts to society and their day-to-day lives. For example, people may be forced to relocate in the face of rising sea levels, or change their work schedules to cope with increases in heatwaves. This project aims to understand how people will cope with these changes by 1) examining how different people evaluate different scenario’s to adapt to the consequences climate change and 2) examining what motivates people to engage in different types of transformative adaptation behaviour. Next, we will examine how these insights can be integrated into climate models, in order to more accurately model and predict human behaviour in response to climate change.

You will publish the results of your studies in international scientific journals as well as popular magazines and newsletters, and present your studies at international conferences and to private partners. You will be a member of the Environmental Psychology group, and your research will be embedded in the Research Program Interpersonal Behaviour of the University of Groningen.

Qualifications

We are looking for an early-career scholar with a PhD in Environmental Psychology who has a strong research record, and who is interested in combining theoretical excellence with high societal impact.

We are looking for candidates who meet the following requirements:

• a PhD degree in Environmental Psychology
• a relevant publication record on the topic of climate change adaptation, demonstrating your ability to publish international academic publications, preferably in top tier peer-reviewed journals
• proven record in working with and communicating research findings to varied audiences, including practitioners and the general public
• experience with theory driven research with a clear eye for the practical implications
• experience in conducting literature reviews and meta-analyses, integrating findings from different literatures in a coherent framework, and developing an authoritative research agenda for future studies in the field
• experience in developing and validating novel measurement tools
• experience working with statistical software including R
• a clear interest in collaborative interdisciplinary research
• the ability to communicate verbally and in written form in English and Dutch
• ability to work independently and manage joint research activities
• a team player with good communication skills
• important competencies in this position are conceptual capacity, environment orientation, presenting and result orientation.

Organisation

The University of Groningen is a research university with a global outlook, deeply rooted in Groningen, City of Talent. Quality has had top priority for four hundred years, and with success: the University is currently in or around the top 100 on several influential ranking lists.

The Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences is a centre of knowledge focusing on individuals and society. We study issues relating to human behaviour, and the relationships between people and society as a whole. This includes the study of how people function under normal circumstances, but also of the problems encountered by individuals or groups, and how to resolve or prevent these. Our Faculty employs about 650 employees.

Conditions of employment

In accordance with the collective labor agreement for Dutch Universities, we offer:

• a salary depending on education and experience of a minimum of € 2,836 and a maximum of € 4,474 (salary scale 10) gross per month for full-time employment
• 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% year-end bonus on the annual gross income
• attractive secondary and market terms of employment
• temporary employment for a period of four years for a fulltime position.

Intended starting date is as soon as possible

Application

Applicants are requested to submit:

• a motivation letter stating your motivation to apply for the position and your key qualities relevant for this position
• an up-to-date curriculum vitae
• contact information of two academic references

The job interviews are scheduled in December. Candidates may be asked to give a presentation.

You can submit your application until 15 December 11:59pm / before 16 December 2021 Dutch local time (CET) by means of the application form (click on “Apply” below on the advertisement on the university website).

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our University. We are committed to building a diverse faculty so you are encouraged to apply. Our selection procedure follows the guidelines of the Recruitment code (NVP), https://www.nvp-hrnetwerk.nl/sollicitatiecode/ and European Commission’s European Code of Conduct for recruitment of researchers, https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/charter/code

Unsolicited marketing is not appreciated.

Information

For information you can contact:

Please do not use the e-mail address(es) above for applications.


You can apply on this page