We are offering a 36-month PhD position (full time, 1.0 FTE) within the Horizon Europe project Rethinking Co-creation of Digital and Environmental Policy in Systems of Multilevel Governance (RECODE-MLG), under the direction of Dr Pier Domenico Tortola (page: https://www.rug.nl/staff/p.d.tortola/), coordinator of the University of Groningen unit of RECODE-MLG.

RECODE-MLG will analyse the functioning, limits, and opportunities of multilevel governance systems—in the first place the European Union one—in the area of the twin (energy and digital) transition, focusing particularly on co-creation as a tool for effective and legitimate policy-making and implementation. The project will be carried out by a consortium of nine partners across Europe, working from different disciplinary angles and promoting the participation of a variety of stakeholders. In addition to advancing scholarship on the topics covered by the project, RECODE-MLG aims to formulate actionable advice for policy-makers at different levels of government.

The University of Groningen unit of RECODE-MLG, within which the PhD candidate will be embedded, will focus primarily on transnational municipal networks (TMNs) as actors as well as arenas of policy co-creation. The prospective doctoral candidate is expected to work at the intersection of the multilevel governance and TMN scholarships, advancing both by formulating conceptual and theoretical connections between them, proposing explanatory arguments on the origins, functions and effects of TMNs within Europe’s system of multilevel governance, and validating these by means of empirical investigations in areas connected with the twin transition, but also beyond, where appropriate.

The PhD candidate will be a member of the Graduate School for the Humanities of the University of Groningen, and affiliated with the Groningen Research Institute for the Study of Culture (ICOG). In addition, the PhD candidate will be connected with the Chair group of European Politics and Society.

Tasks and responsibilities

- Carrying out research tasks of RECODE-MLG as directed by the supervisor, and (co)producing connected deliverables.
- Presenting research results at project as well as external workshops and conferences, and publishing academic articles.
- Assisting the supervisor in organisational, communication, and dissemination activities related to RECODE-MLG.
- Conducting a total of up to 0.2 FTE teaching during the second and third year of appointment.

Organisation
Since its foundation in 1614, the University of Groningen has established an international reputation as a dynamic and innovative university offering high-quality teaching and research. Its 34,000 students are encouraged to develop their own individual talents through challenging study- and career paths. The University of Groningen is an international centre of knowledge: It belongs to the best research universities in Europe and is allied with prestigious partner universities and networks worldwide.

The Faculty of Arts is a large, dynamic faculty in the heart of the city of Groningen. It has more than 5000 students and 700 staff members, who are working at the frontiers of knowledge every day. The Faculty offers a wide range of degree programmes: 15 Bachelor's programmes and over 35 Master's specialisations. Our research, which is internationally widely acclaimed, covers Archaeology, Cultural Studies, History, International Relations, Language and Literary Studies, Linguistics and Media and Journalism Studies.

- (Research) Master’s degree in Politics (any subfield), European studies, urban studies, or another relevant discipline.
- A demonstrable interest in the research themes of the PhD and, more generally, the RECODE-MLG project.
- Excellent research skills (as shown, for instance, by the candidate’s Master’s thesis).
- Excellent command of English. Proficiency in other European languages is a plus.
- A strong interest in collaborative research and interdisciplinary dialogue.
- The ability to work independently.

The employment for this position will be full time for three years and will be under the PhD conditions of the collective labour agreement (CAO) of Dutch Universities.

Fixed-term contract: 36 months.

In accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, the University of Groningen offers you

- A salary of € 2,770 gross per month in the first year, up to a maximum of € 3,377 gross per month in the final year, based on a full-time position.
- A holiday allowance of 8% gross annual income.
- An 8.3% end-of-the-year allowance.
- A temporary 1.0 FTE appointment for a specified period of three years. The candidate will first be appointed for twelve months. After six months, an assessment will take place of the candidate’s results and the progress of the PhD project, in order to decide whether employment will be continued.
- The PhD candidate is expected to conduct up to 0.2 FTE teaching spread over the second and third year of their appointment.
- Excellent work-life balance.
- Willingness to move and reside in the Netherlands.

The appointment will commence on 1 January 2025. We allow 3 months from selection in case of VISA applications.