Are you experienced in impact-driven research? Do you have what it takes to contribute to the development of innovative research on textile & clothing ecosystems in Rotterdam?
The Erasmus School of History, Culture and Communication is looking for a highly motivated Postdoc researcher (temporary employment of 0,7 fte, with possibility to expand to 1,0 fte with teaching duties) to join the Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Action (RIA) project “
FABRIX. Fostering local, beautiful, and sustainably designed regenerative textile & clothing ecosystems’’ for a maximum duration of 27 months. The Postdoc position is embedded in the
Department of Arts and Culture Studies. The position starts on 1 April 2024.
Job description We are looking for a highly motivated Post-Doctoral Researcher to conduct impact-driven and participatory research in Rotterdam. The research tasks will be part of the Horizon Europe project ‘‘FABRIX. Fostering local, beautiful, and sustainably designed regenerative textile & clothing ecosystems”. The position will also involve liaising with our consortium partners and stakeholders from the public and private sectors. Additionally, the researcher will contribute to progress reports to the European Union.
A PhD in Sustainability Transitions, Cultural Economics and Entrepreneurship, Urban Studies, Geography, or other Social Sciences is required, with demonstrated skills in advanced quantitative and qualitative research methods, affinity/interest in the textile & clothing sector, and more in general in the cultural and creative industries. The candidate is expected to possess strong organizational capabilities, a demonstrated experience with participating in interdisciplinary research projects, and working with a variety of (inter)national stakeholders.
Project description
The transition towards a more sustainable, digital, and inclusive economy in Europe requires a human-centred approach that combines digital and industrial technologies, with an attention to spatial dynamics. However, there is a lack of integration between different disciplines and initiatives, resulting in missed opportunities for system change towards a more inclusive technological and social development. The FABRIX project aims to address this challenge by focusing on the Textile & Clothing (T&C) sector in Rotterdam (The Netherlands) and Athens (Greece) – T&C being a priority sector in the European Green Deal, the Circular Economy Action Plan, and the Industrial Strategy, but also one of the most environmentally and socially unsustainable sectors. FABRIX adopts an integrated approach to local and regenerative urban manufacturing, combining spatial design, industrial symbiosis, circular manufacturing, and value chain analysis, in alignment with New European Bauhaus principles (inclusion, sustainability, aesthetics). The FABRIX consortium is led by TU/delft and involves the following partners: Erasmus University Rotterdam, Athens University of Economics & Business, AIDIMME Instituto Tecnologico, OSMOS Network, CEDECS-TCBL, SOFFA The Nest Social Fashion Factory, Roadmapper and Municipality of Rotterdam. FABRIX will develop an innovative and interactive platform (MANTEL) that supports local value chain management for more circular and regenerative urban manufacturing along with a capacity building FABRIX Academy to ensure the transferability during and beyond the research project to other places and other sectors dealing with similar challenges.
Postdoc duties in close collaboration with consortium partners
- Co-developing the theoretical framework and project methodology;
- Analysing the spatial and ecosystem characteristics of the Textile & Clothing (T&C) sector in Rotterdam and contributing to the comparative analysis of the T&C ecosystems in Rotterdam and Athens;
- Identifying and improving indicators for the circular and social self-assessment tool via research and the organisation of a co-creation event;
- Contributing to the development and testing of MANTEL, including the activities linked to the Financial Support to Third Party (FSTP) calls and FABRIX Academy;
- Supporting the planning, management and digital presence of the project, liaising with project management, consortium partners and stakeholders;
- Contributing to EU progress reporting;
- Publishing and presenting research results in journals, international conferences, as well as practitioner-oriented outlets.
In addition to Postdoc duties, there might be the possibility for teaching tasks in the new academic year (from September 2024):
- Preparing and teaching classes within the context of the various degree programmes in the field of Arts and Culture Studies provided by the ESHCC or in interdisciplinary programmes, such as the Minor in Fashion Industry;
- Monitoring the literature and integrating new insights into the courses;
- Supervising students for BA or MA theses.