Postdoctoral Researcher in Governance of Nature-based Solutions in Cities

We are seeking an enthusiastic and research-dedicated postdoctoral researcher to join our team focusing on the governance of nature-based solutions in cities. If you have done research on the governance of nature-based solutions in cities during your PhD or Post-Phd, you are encouraged to apply.

Your job
You will be engaged in the CARDIMED European Union Funded project “Climate Adaptation and Resilience Demonstrated in the MEDiterranean region” (for 20% of the time), and will develop with the PI frontier research on the governance and planning of urban nature-based solutions globally. You will supervise a small group of Master's students writing their thesis on the topic of urban nature-based solutions each year; as well as prepare and contribute with a few teaching lectures per year on the topic of governance and planning of nature-based solutions in the Bachelor's and Master's programmes of the department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning.

You will:

• commit to research excellence and research with impact that is a mission of Utrecht University;
• engage in the wider research and scholarly activities of the CARDIMED research project and Utrecht University CARDIMED team;
• engage in the dissemination of results of the CARDIMED project by producing at least two high-quality academic papers as a lead author;
• lead and co-author high-quality papers with the PI and the Spatial Planning research team of nature-based solutions academic outputs of European and Global Interest;
• conduct individual and collaborative research complying with and following research ethical standards;
• carry out administrative and management work associated with the research;
• have a positive, co-operative and responsive attitude that fosters positive and safe working relationships;
• show integrity and professionalism in the course of your work.

Requirements:

We are looking for a colleague who holds a PhD in the area of: sustainability science, urban planning and governance, human geography, policy studies, sustainability transitions, environmental policy and planning, environmental governance and politics, or resilience studies. We seek someone with knowledge and experience in urban governance, transdisciplinary research, collaborative planning, and social-ecological systems in relation to nature-based solutions in cities. Please be aware that this post-doc position requires proven record of research on the governance of nature-based solutions in cities.

Furthermore, you bring the following knowledge, skills and experience:

• excellent and proven research skills, especially gathering and analysing qualitative data following ethical research practices;
• experience in publishing as a lead author in high-quality international peer-reviewed journals, with a minimum of three published papers at the time of the application;
• experience in conducting and analysing structured and semi-structured interviews, large and small workshops, focus groups and/or other kinds of transdisciplinary research activities;
• experience in presenting research findings at an international level;
• excellent command of the English language (in both written and oral form);
• ability to work across different, interdisciplinary research projects and research initiatives simultaneously;
• ability to think independently and overcome difficulties in research process.

The following qualifications are considered assets:

• experience in co-organising expert focus groups and workshops in a professional way and co-producing agenda or positioning papers;
• knowledge of European and/or Global environmental policies;
• experience in organizing international research seminars, workshops and other events.

Salary Benefits:

We offer:

• a position for a period of four years;
• a working week of 36 hours and a gross monthly salary between €3,226 and €5,090 in the case of full-time employment (salary scale 10 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.

36 - 40 hours per week

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