Within the interdisciplinary field of sustainability science, MSI contributes to the understanding of societal transitions towards sustainability, combining a strong methodological focus with domain specific knowledge in areas such as circular economy, climate neutrality and urban sustainability transformations. Concerning the latter, MSI’s previous research shows how multiple innovations (including those in business, policy & planning and civil society) shape patterns or forms of reconfiguration. In addition to scientific excellence, research at MSI supports practitioners by developing tools to facilitate learning processes in Urban Living Lab- or urban experiments. The new positions built further on this track record.

The three postdoc-positions are part of three different interdisciplinary projects with international partners, but funded through the same ‘Driving Urban Transitions’ program of NWO/ JPI Urban Europe:

1. Urban Mobility project: Specifying Practices Enabled by Cycling In Fifteen-minute Cities (SPECIFIC). This project aims to combine transdisciplinary action research and social practice theory to co-create a tool to facilitate successful implementation of the 15-minute city concept in lower-density contexts. Strategic learning about upscaling and accelerating transformations towards just, cycling-based urban development will be facilitated through transition experiments focused on cycling in five cities – Bellinzona, Bristol, Graz, Maastricht, and Poznan. The position is for 35 months, 1.0FTE. Starting date is 01 February 2024.
2. Urban Food project: Scaling Urban Regenerative Food Systems In Transition (SURFIT). This project will bring together sustainable food networks (SFNs), local policymakers and a multidisciplinary set of researchers from four mid-size cities (Krakow, Trento, Maastricht and Malmö) to jointly conduct transdisciplinary research in Urban Food Labs with an urban living lab approach. The aim of this research is to explore, understand and engage in how catalysers can be designed to scale SFNs for systemic transitions. The project will deliver design principles and reflexive guidance in embedding catalysers to advance and scale SFNs. Maastricht University is the lead partner of this project. The position is for 36 months for 0.93FTE. Starting date is 01 January 2024.
3. Circular Housing project: Consumer Demand for Circular Urban Living with insights from Sweden, Slovenia, and The Netherlands (CDCUL). This project aims to understand whether, and the extent to which, individuals in different European contexts are willing to pay for shared, circular housing options in cities. Focusing on Sweden, The Netherlands and Slovenia, the project will use a mixed methods approach including in-depth qualitative methods to elicit urban citizens’ preferences for housing with design features that encourage sharing as well as supporting a large-scale choice experiment. The position lasts for 34 months, 1.0 FTE. Starting date is 01 January/February 2024.

As postdoctoral researcher, you will:

• Develop a line of research that studies how urban (food, mobility or housing) transformations can be supported through transdisciplinary experiments (SURFIT, SPECIFIC) or choice experiments (CDCUL);
• Actively contribute to the conceptual and methodological innovations required by the project, in collaboration with the other researchers of the team;
• Set up a local urban (food or mobility) lab for transdisciplinary action research (SURFIT, SPECIFIC);
• Do empirical, qualitative research, write and co-author academic publications together with other members of the team;
• Help to co-ordinate and administer the overall project, including the organisation of, team meetings, workshops, dissemination activities and public outreach events;
• Dedicate some of your time (about 10%) to teaching and supervision in MSI programmes;
• Show sustainable academic citizenship and actively take part in shaping the profile of Maastricht Sustainability Institute.

We are looking for a candidate who has:

• A completed PhD in sustainability research, innovation, business, governance, planning, political sciences, geography or another field relevant to the project;
• Methodological experience in comparative research designs, transdisciplinary action research, interviewing, focus groups or other relevant qualitative methods;
• Experience with organising workshops, and/or similar public outreach events;
• Excellent written and spoken command of English, as demonstrated by academic publications and presentations at international conferences;
• Knowledge of Dutch is an advantage;
• A willingness to contribute proactively to the successful completion of these international research projects;
• Experience in teaching at the BA or MA level.

What we offer
As a Post-doctoral researcher at The School of Business and Economics you will be employed by the most international university of the Netherlands, located in the beautiful city of Maastricht. In addition, we offer you:

• Good employment conditions. The position is in graded in scale11 according to the UFO profile Onderzoeker, function level 3 with corresponding salary based on experience ranging from €4.332 to € 5.929 gross per month (based on a full-time employment of 38 hours per week). In addition to the monthly salary, an 8.0% holiday allowance and an 8.3% year-end bonus are applicable.
• An employment contract for a period of 34 – 36 months with a scope of 0.93 – 1.0 FTE.
• At Maastricht University, the well-being of our employees is of utmost importance, we offer flexible working hours and the possibility to work partly from home if the nature of your position allows it. You will receive a monthly commuting and internet allowance for this. If you work full-time, you will be entitled to 29 vacation days and 4 additional public holidays per year, namely carnival Monday, carnival Tuesday, Good Friday, and Liberation Day. If you choose to accumulate compensation hours, an additional 12 days will be added. Furthermore, you can personalize your employment conditions through a collective labor agreement (CAO) choice model.
• As Maastricht University, we offer various other excellent secondary employment conditions. These include a good pension scheme with the ABP and the opportunity for UM employees to participate in company fitness and make use of the extensive sports facilities that we also offer to our students.
• Last but certainly not least, we provide the space and facilities for your personal and professional development. We facilitate this by offering a wide range of training programs and supporting various well-established initiatives such as 'Reward and Recognition'

The university’s relocation policy stipulates that you need to move to (the vicinity of) Maastricht. If not already living in Maastricht (or its direct surroundings), you will be eligible for an allowance for moving costs.

The terms of employment at Maastricht University are largely set out in the collective labor agreement of Dutch Universities. In addition, local provisions specific to UM apply. For more information, Click here

Maastricht University

Why work at Maastricht University?
At Maastricht University (UM), everything revolves around the future. The future of our students, as we work to equip them with a solid, broad-based foundation for the rest of their lives. And the future of society, as we seek solutions through our research to issues from all around the world. Our six faculties combined provide a comprehensive package of study programmes and research.

In our teaching, we use the Problem-Based Learning (PBL) method. Students work in small groups, looking for solutions to problems themselves. By discussing issues and working together to draw conclusions, formulate answers and present them to their peers, students develop essential skills for their future careers.

With over 22,300 students and more than 5,000 employees from all over the world, UM is home to a vibrant and inspiring international community.

Are you drawn to an international setting focused on education, science and scholarship? Are you keen to contribute however your skills and qualities allow? Our door is open to you! As a young European university, we value your talent and look forward to creating the future together.

Click here for more information about UM.

School of Business and Economics

The School of Business and Economics (SBE) is one of Maastricht University’s six faculties. Our mission is to contribute to a better world by addressing societal problems, by co-creating knowledge and developing team players and leaders for the future.

By joining SBE, you will be part of the 1% of business schools worldwide to be Triple Crown accredited (EQUIS, AACSB and AMBA). You will join an inspiring and international environment, where learning and development is priority.