Postdoc Position in Quantitative Innovation Studies

The Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development offers a postdoctoral researcher position in the field of Quantitative Innovation Studies. In this role you will specifically focus on sustainable innovation, adoption trajectories and the impact of policy in agri-food and land-use systems.

Your job
You will contribute to the "Innovation and adoption dynamics" work package, which is part of a larger, multidisciplinary research project funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation. This project, conducted in collaboration with the University of Copenhagen and Wageningen University & Research, aims to develop science-based policies that foster a sustainable European agri-food and land-use system.

The position will involve studying innovation directions and the adoption of sustainable technologies, services, and practices in the agri-food and land use sectors, and their interaction with policies. Using a data-driven approach, particularly Natural Language Processing (NLP) techniques, you will analyse the dynamics of technological development, including the phase-in of new technologies and the phase-out of outdated ones. The project will also analyse the effects of policies (i.e. national and European subsidies, regulations, and standards) on these innovation directions, focusing on the relationship between policy and innovation trajectories across EU countries.

The postdoc position involves the following research activities:

• identifying (sustainable) innovation and adoption trajectories over time and space using diverse large-scale datasets, including patents, publications, trademarks, and firm-level data;
• employing Natural Language Processing (NLP) techniques to analyse and link these innovation and adoption data with policy documents;
• investigating the impact of policies and regulations on the dynamics of sustainable innovation, focusing on specific national and technological contexts;
• publishing results in academic journals and contribute to societal (policy) impact for sustainable transitions in agri-food and land use.

You will become part of the Innovation Studies group of the Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development at Utrecht University. Dr Iris Wanzenböck, Dr Jarno Hoekman and Professor Koen Frenken will be the supervisors for this project. The project will start on 1 March 2025, which is also the preferred starting date for this position.

Excited by this opportunity? We are looking for a candidate that:

• holds a PhD in Innovation Studies, Economics, Econometrics, (Economic) Geography, Data Science, Complexity Science or related fields;
• has knowledge, or willingness to learn, about theories of innovation and adoption;
• has experience with quantitative research methods, including using NLP or other computational methods for large dataset analysis;
• has programming experience in R and/or Python or related software;
• demonstrates interest in policy impact analysis and/or the agri-food and land use sectors;
• has an affinity with public outreach, and is comfortable with conducting multi-disciplinary research and interacting with project stakeholders;
• is good in communicating and team-work;
• enjoys working in an interdisciplinary research and teaching environment;
• is proficient in English.

We offer:

• a position for one year, with an extension until March 2028 upon successful assessment;
• a working week of 36 hours and a gross monthly salary between €3,378 and €5,331 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.

A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University, the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major strategic themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Pathways to Sustainability. Sharing science, shaping tomorrow.

Utrecht University’s Faculty of Geosciences studies the Earth: from the Earth’s core to its surface, including man’s spatial and material utilisation of the Earth – always with a focus on sustainability and innovation. With 3,400 students (BSc and MSc) and 720 staff, the faculty is a strong and challenging organisation. The Faculty of Geosciences is organised in four Departments: Earth Sciences, Human Geography & Spatial Planning, Physical Geography, and Sustainable Development.

The city of Utrecht is one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands, with a historic centre and an internationally oriented culture that is strongly influenced by its centuries-old university. Utrecht has been consistently ranked as one of the most liveable cities in the Netherlands, and is well-connected to local and international transport hubs.

For more information about this position, please contact Dr Iris Wanzenböck (Associate Professor in Innovation Studies), via i.wanzenbock@uu.nl

Note that international candidates needing a visa/work permit for the Netherlands require at least four months processing time after selection and acceptance. This will be arranged with help of the International Service Desk (ISD) of our university. Finding appropriate housing in or near Utrecht is your own responsibility, but the ISD may be able to advise you therewith. For general questions that you might have about working and living in The Netherlands, please consult the Dutch Mobility Portal where much information can be found.

Candidates for this vacancy will be recruited by Utrecht University.

As Utrecht University, we want to be a home for everyone. We value staff with diverse backgrounds, perspectives and identities, including cultural, religious or ethnic background, gender, sexual orientation, disability or age. We strive to create a safe and inclusive environment in which everyone can flourish and contribute.

To apply, please send your curriculum vitae, including a letter of motivation, via the ‘apply now’ button.

If this specific opportunity isn’t for you, but you know someone else who may be interested, please forward this vacancy to them.