“Why are polar bears or even milk jugs more important than people, not only in terms of research attention, but also as a focus of company initiatives?”. Despite the emergence of sustainable HRM, this famous quote of Jeffrey Pfeffer in 2010 remains relevant today as the imbalance has not yet been resolved properly. Thus far, the literature on sustainable HRM is rather fragmented, leading to blind spots in both HRM practice and research. Efforts to develop an integrative conceptualization of Sustainable HRM (aimed at people, planet, and prosperity) which can be embedded in (sustainable) business models are still lacking. With this research project, the viability of a more integrated approach in Sustainable HRM is conceptually explored and empirically tested for its impact on Sustainable Development Goals. Studying different approaches and outcomes may contribute to establish more in-depth insights into which sustainable HRM practices are effective, how these can be identified, developed and what their implications will be. 

You hold a (Research) Msc degree relevant to HR, Careers and/or Organisation studies (e.g., in Economics, Business, or Organisational Psychology). You have affinity with – and preferably knowledge of – topics related to sustainability. Furthermore, you can demonstrate your ability to perform research in this field, as shown by excellent grades on courses in at least some of these respective fields. You are open to employ various research methods (e.g., quantitative and qualitative research designs and techniques). Ideally you have the ability to work closely together with stakeholders and preferably some experience working with, or in multinational firms. Your English is fluent, both in speaking and writing. Dutch language skills are considered as a benefit.

Fixed-term contract: period of 15 months. The appointment will be extended to 4 years.

The salary is determined in accordance with salary scale P of Appendix A of the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities and amounts to €2.443 per month upon commencement, in case of full employment.

The Open Universiteit provides good secondary benefits such as training and development, part-time employment and paid parental leave.

The PhD candidate will be appointed for a period of 15 months. The appointmentwill be extended to 4 years when progress and performance are good.

The PhD candidate will be stationed at the Open University campus in Heerlen, within the Faculty of Management. Hybrid working is the norm, which means about two days a week on location, and the other days where it suits best.

The Open Universiteit

Flexible studying online anywhere in the Netherlands and Belgium (Flanders)
The Open Universiteit (OU) is the part-time university in the Netherlands. Students follow personalised and activating academic distance education and disciplinary research is carried out within the various fields of science. Students can complete bachelor and master programmes in seven fields of study. The characteristics of education are openness, flexibility and quality (see www.ou.nl/rankings). Much attention is paid to improving the study success of students. The OU has over 18,000 students and more than 750 employees. The OU has branches in the Netherlands and Belgium (see www.ou.nl/studiecentra). The main office is located in Heerlen. The latest technologies and educational insights are applied both in the bachelor's and master's programmes and courses and in projects and programmes with partners. Nationally and internationally, the OU plays an important role in the innovation of higher education. Education is interwoven with research, which also ensures that the current state of science is incorporated. The OU invests not only in disciplinary research in eight scientific fields, but also in research in a multidisciplinary programme: Innovating for resilience.

Faculty of Management

The faculty of Management is one of the six faculties of the OU of the Netherlands. Education, research and valorisation are the main tasks. The faculty offers academic bachelor and master programmes in the field of Management and Business Administration, and is involved in the master programme of Health Sciences. The faculty’s research programme focuses on Learning and Innovation for Resilient Systems (LIRS). Furthermore, the faculty is partner in the Center for Actionable Research of the OU (CAROU). The faculty has PhD-students who conduct research on various current topics within the LIRS research programme.

Department organisation
The Organisation department develops its field of expertise in collaboration with companies, universities, colleges, governments, professional organisations and, last but not least, students and PhD students. Research and education are designed in interaction. The members of the department conduct research in areas of Organisational Change and Development, Organisational Behaviour, HRM and careers.

Issues related to sustainability in society and business have been gaining importance over the past years. Sustainable HRM and career management can contribute to more sustainable business models and practices. The proposed PhD-project will investigate how recent developments in the field of Sustainable HRM can be incorporated, and aligned with current and new value models in business. The project aims to reveal whether and how a more integrated approach in Sustainable HRM has an impact on achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within organisations. 

Supervisors of the PhD-project have expert knowledge in Sustainable HRM, Career Management, Sustainable Employability, Organisational Behaviour and Development, and Leadership. More specifically, Dave Stynen PhD is assistant professor in HRM and Occupational Health, Thomas Van Waeyenberg PhD is an assistant professor in HRM and Organisational Behaviour, and Judith Semeijn PhD is a professor in Sustainable HRM.