PhD Position: Transition towards Circular Societies

Join our interdisciplinary team at Utrecht University as a PhD candidate in the project ‘Accelerating the Circular Transition’ (ACT!). Contribute to the transition towards a circular society by researching mission-specific innovation systems and governance strategies.

Your job
The world is facing critical challenges, including climate change, biodiversity loss, excessive pollution, and resource scarcity. These systemic issues are rooted in the linear, extractive nature of resource use in present-day society. To address this, a transition to a circular society is urgently needed. But how can this transition be governed? What strategies can policymakers, businesses, and civil society use to accelerate this shift? And how can diverse actors be aligned around a shared vision of a circular future?

The exciting multi-disciplinary project ‘Accelerating the Circular Transition’ (ACT!). ACT! develops a systemic approach to accelerate the fair transition to a circular society in The Netherlands (and beyond). It will co-create a toolbox, including shared visions of a circular society (with societal wellbeing at the centre), simulation models, and an integrated approach to manage this complex transition. For this, the consortium exists of a large variety of scientific researchers (from different disciplinary backgrounds) in combination with stakeholders from all parts of the Dutch society, from (national, regional and local) government to industry, and local NGOs.

As a PhD candidate, you will focus on how mission-specific innovation systems (MIS) can drive circular transitions. Missions have become a new paradigm in innovation policy, aiming to align innovation processes with severe societal needs or problems marked by uncertainty, complexity and contestation. However, navigating these missions requires an understanding of the actors, institutions, and governance structures that shape them. To navigate this complexity, we will analyse the functioning of the MIS and focus on how governance structures can be coordinated to overcome contestation and fragmentation.

Your research will explore the following questions:

• How can innovation systems be structured and functioning to support a circular society? What actors, institutions, and infrastructures are needed to scale up circular solutions?
• How to align different niche solutions—technological, social, and economic—to create a shared mission for circular innovation?
• How can governance and coordination mechanisms enable collaboration between policymakers, industry leaders, and civil society actors?
• What is the role of orchestrators, who facilitate collaboration and transition efforts within the MIS?

Using a mix of qualitative research methods—including event history analysis, interviews, and co-creation workshops—you will map out existing governance structures, identify gaps, and develop guidelines and intervention strategies to support circular transition pathways. Your research will start with the furniture sector as an initial case study, given the upcoming Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulation in 2030, and will expand to broader policy and governance challenges.

You will be embedded in a dynamic research team and work closely with stakeholders across government, industry, and civil society. Your work will directly inform policy discussions, contributing to concrete strategies for accelerating circular transitions.

You are a goal-oriented researcher with a strong motivation to get a PhD. You want to work in an interdisciplinary research environment in close interaction with stakeholders. Specifically, you have the following qualifications:

• You have successfully completed a relevant Master’s degree. Academic discipline is not a leading criterium for selection, so feel free to apply from any discipline if you have affinity with the research topic.
• You are comfortable moving between various academic disciplines, and eager to learn how different disciplines approach questions of sustainability.
• You have affinity with in-depth research and innovative methods.
• You have a strong interest in sustainability (transitions), as demonstrated by training or extracurricular activities.
• You have experience with stakeholder engagement and communication of scientific research.
• You enjoy working in an interdisciplinary team, and can showcase a critical attitude, intellectual independence, and good organisational skills.
• You have excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and Dutch (C1 level).

• A position for one year, with an extension to a total of four years upon a successful assessment in the first year, and with the specific intent that it results in a doctorate within this period;
• a working week of 38 hours and a gross monthly salary between €2,901 and €3,707 (salary scale P 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 position is shared with the Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment (BK, Delft University of Technology, cf. Dr Karel Van den Berghe). BK is worldwide leading academic institute dealing with broad aspects of the built environment, from design, policy to management. Among many, the challenge of the circular economy is widely tackled, both in observing as implementing.

For more information, please contact Dr Simona Negro at s.o.negro@uu.nl, or Dr Karel van den Berghe at K.B.J.VandenBerghe@tudelft.nl.

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.