Postdoc in computational social science, with

a focus on the energy transition (0.8 – 1.0

FTE)
http://www.staff.science.uu.nl/~delde102/
Circulation&GlobalChange.htm

Job description
We are looking for a talented PhD graduate to work as a postdoctoral researcher on the NWO-
funded “ENRGISED” project. This is short for ‘ENgaging Residents in Green energy
Investments through Social networks, complExity, and Design’ and is funded under the call
‘Complexity and Creative Industry: Grip on Transitions and Resilience. The location is the
Utrecht Science Park campus of Utrecht University. The aim of the project is to develop a
strategy that can stimulate households to transition away from natural gas towards green energy
alternatives; in particular, to shape energy transition experiments in Dutch cities in co-creation
with citizens and other stakeholders to facilitate emergent behaviour within the community
through design interventions. The project is a collaboration between the Industrial Design
Engineering faculty at TUDelft and the Department of Sociology and the Center for Complex
Systems Studies at Utrecht University, as well as a number of private partners. This highly
interdisciplinary collaboration promises to integrate and advance research strands from
complexity, sociology and design.

The postdoctoral researcher at Utrecht University will work on developing theoretical models
involving complexity modelling as well as empirical research including coordinating field
research with partners. Training or research experience in computational social science,
specifically formal modelling of social systems and quantitative empirical research methods is a
prerequisite. The research will be supervised by Prof Vincent Buskens, Prof Arnout van de Rijt,
and Dr Deb Panja. A colleague postdoctoral researcher, with whom the candidate is expected to
work in close collaboration, will also be recruited on this project at TUDelft.

Qualifications
We are looking for a colleague who:

 is a strong team player and communicator with organizational skills;

 has training or research experience in computational social science: formal modelling and
quantitative research;
 has analytical skills to engage with the design research taking predominantly place at
TUDelft;
 has either a PhD degree in Social Science with strong modeling skills, or a PhD degree in
a relevant field like Computer Science, Physics or Mathematics - with experience and a
strong interest in empirical social science research;
 has excellent English skills both in written and oral form and is able to communicate in
Dutch with stakeholders;
  has a publication track record in peer-reviewed journals and conferences.

Offer
We offer a temporary position (0.8 - 1.0 FTE) for two-and-a half years in an international
working environment. The gross salary - depending on previous qualifications and experience  -
ranges between €3,637 and €4,978 (scale 11 according to the Collective Labour Agreement
Dutch Universities) per month for a full-time employment. Salaries are supplemented with a
holiday bonus of 8% and a year-end bonus of 8.3% per year. In addition, Utrecht University
offers excellent secondary conditions, including an attractive retirement scheme, (partly paid)
parental leave and flexible employment conditions (multiple choice model). More
information about working at Utrecht University can be found here.

About the organization

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 societal themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for
Open Societies, Life Sciences and Sustainability.

Utrecht is a young and vibrant city with a large academic population within a 30 minute drive
from Amsterdam. It combines a beautiful old city centre with a modern university. Utrecht has
an excellent quality of life, with plenty of green space and a strong bicycle culture.

The Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences is one of the leading faculties in Europe
providing research and academic teaching in Interdisciplinary Social Science, Cultural
Anthropology, Educational Sciences, Pedagogical Sciences, Psychology, and Sociology. More
than 5,600 students are enrolled in a broad range of undergraduate and graduate programmes.
The Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences has some 850 faculty and staff members, all
providing their individual contribution to the training and education of young talent and to the
research into scientific and societal issues.

The Department of Sociology provides teaching in our Bachelor’s degree programme Sociology,
the one-year Master’s degree programme (Sociology: Contemporary Social Problems) and the
two-year Master’s degree programme (Sociology and Social Research). The Department has
strong research traditions in a wide range of topics in sociology including cooperation problems,
social networks, stratification and inequality, households, and immigration. It is part of the Dutch
research school Interuniversity Center for Social Science Theory and Methodology (ICS).

Additional information
Additional information about this position can be obtained from Prof Vincent Buskens via +31
30 253 18 48 or +31 30 253 19 67 or via V.Buskens@uu.nl.

Apply
Everyone deserves to feel at home at our university. We welcome employees with a wide variety
of backgrounds and perspectives.  

You can apply by using the button below. Applications should include:

 a letter of motivation explaining your research interest and the relevance of your
experience to this position;
 a detailed curriculum vitae including a complete list of publications and the name and
contact information of two or three references;
 a copy of three of your most relevant publications.                 

 The application deadline is December 5, 2019. Job interviews are planned on 17 December.

The application deadline is

05/12/2019