PhD positions on Sustainability transitions through microbiome innovations

• Completed Master degree in innovation studies, sustainable transformation, policy sciences, organization sciences, management and entrepreneurship, or another relevant (interdisciplinary) social science field. Those with combined backgrounds in natural and social sciences are especially welcome to apply.
• Proven experience with qualitative research methodologies, such as interviews, ethnography or focus groups.
• Willingness to learn to facilitate interactive workshops with multiple stakeholders in the context of system transformation processes.
• Experience or interest in inter- and transdisciplinary research approaches in the collaboration between science, policy, practice and society.
• The ability to work independently as well as in a team, in a flexible, adaptive and pro-active way.
• Excellent organizational, communicative and collaborative skills.
• Excellent command of English is required, command of Dutch is highly appreciated. 

As we are a growing team, we are looking for a team of PhD candidates that collectively possess a diversity of competences, that can work well together and with the other staff members. 

As a university, we strive for equal opportunities for all, recognising that diversity takes many forms. We believe that diversity in all its complexity is invaluable for the quality of our teaching, research and service. We are always looking for talent with diverse backgrounds and experiences. This also means that we are committed to creating an inclusive community so that we can use diversity as an asset.

We realise that each individual brings a unique set of skills, expertise and mindset. Therefore we are happy to invite anyone who recognises themselves in the profile to apply, even if you do not meet all the requirements.

A challenging position in a socially engaged organisation. At VU Amsterdam, you contribute to education, research and service for a better world. And that is valuable. So in return for your efforts, we offer you:

• A salary of minimum € 3.059,00 and maximum € 3.881,00 gross per month, on a full-time basis. This is based on UFO profile PhD candidate. The exact salary depends on your education and experience.
• A position for at least 1 FTE. Your employment contract will initially last 1 year. Afterwards, the possibility of expansion exists.

We also offer you attractive fringe benefits and regulations. Some examples:

• A full-time 38-hour working week comes with a holiday leave entitlement of 232 hours per year. For part-timers, this is calculated pro rata.
• 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus.
• Solid pension scheme (ABP).
• Child daycare facilities available on campus.
• The possibility to work partly from home.

Athena Institute
The Athena Institute addresses complex societal issues, such as the intertwinement between health challenges, food, agriculture and climate change, with an eye for social injustice. We do this by designing, facilitating and studying multi-stakeholder processes. Together with all actors involved, we investigate how to instigate system transformation. Given this collaborative approach to scientific work at Athena, we cherish a research culture that is built on ‘shared science’, characterized by co‑creation, open academic exchange and joint publications with our academic staff and where applicable with non-academic research partners. We are looking for a candidate who is motivated to actively contribute to this collaborative environment.

Faculty of Science
Working at the Faculty of Science means collaborating with students, lecturers and researchers who are focused on their field, yet have a broad view of the world. We are proud of a positive and inclusive workplace culture within the faculty, where we work together with great energy and a pragmatic attitude to tackle social challenges. At the Faculty of Science, scientists and students work on fundamental and complex societal issues for a sustainable, healthy and just future.

From forest fires to big data, from obesity to malnutrition, from helium to the universe and from genetics to medicine: our education and research cover the full breadth of science, from molecules to mankind. Our academic education and research are highly experimental, technical and interdisciplinary in nature. That is why we collaborate extensively with leading scientific institutes and industry. The faculty has more than 8,000 students studying in one of the 39 programms and employs more than 1,400 staff across 10 scientific departments, making us one of the largest science faculties in the Netherlands.

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam stands for values-driven education and research. We are open-minded experts with the ability to think freely - a broader mind. Maintaining an entrepreneurial perspective and concentrating on diversity, significance and humanity, we work on sustainable solutions with social impact. By joining forces, across the boundaries of disciplines, we work towards a better world for people and planet. Together we create a safe and respectful working and study climate, and an inspiring environment for education and research. Learn more about our codes of conduct

We are located on one physical campus, in the heart of Amsterdam's Zuidas business district, with excellent location and accessibility.  Over 6,150 staff work at the VU and over 31,000 students attend academic education.

Diversity
Diversity is the driving force of VU Amsterdam. VU wants to be accessible and receptive to diversity in disciplines, cultures, ideas, nationalities, beliefs, preferences and worldviews. We believe that trust, respect, interest and differences lead to new insights and innovation, to sharpness and clarity, to excellence and a broader understanding.

We stand for an inclusive community and believe that diversity and internationalisation contribute to the quality of education, research and our services.

Therefore, we are always searching for people whose backgrounds and experience contribute to the diversity of the VU community.