Your function
In this PhD, you will examine the socio‑economic, behavioural, and governance dimensions of soil salinization in Europe, combining quantitative analysis with stakeholder engagement and policy evaluation. You will assess the direct and indirect economic impacts of salinization across vulnerable regions and future climate scenarios. Your research will map multilevel governance structures and you will co‑create mitigation strategies through participatory workshops. You will model farmers’ adaptation behaviour using agent‑based simulations that integrate physical and social drivers. Finally, you will evaluate financial and institutional support mechanisms and develop policy pathways to strengthen resilience to salinization.
Your duties
- you actively contribute to the Salinova consortium community through participation in and organization of stakeholder workshops, socio-economic and policy analysis and writing policy briefs
- you write a doctoral thesis that complies with the VU Doctorate Regulations and IVM guidelines
- you engage with societal partners, e.g.by supporting collaborative knowledge exchange as well as educational and dissemination activities
- you present your research in academic and societal context (e.g. conferences, exhibitions, workshops, community gatherings) and publish at least three peer-reviewed article or book chapter and contribute to other writing projects as required
- due to the collaborative nature of the project, regular physical presence is expected
Your profile
- you hold a relevant second-cycle degree (MSc or equivalent) from a university, specialising in environmental policy or governance
- you can work independently and collaboratively in an interdisciplinary and intercultural research environment, including fieldwork
- you are familiar with social science methods such as interviews, surveys, meta-analyses, cost-benefit analysis
- you have some experience with chosen coding language, such as R or python
- you are enthusiastic about communicating research to academic and non-academic audiences
- you have excellent writing and speaking skills in English
- it is an advantage if you speak Dutch
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 (fully) meet all the requirements.
What do we offer?
An interesting 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 € 3.059,00 (PhD scale 85.0) and maximum € 3.881,00 (PhD scale 85.3) gross per month in the fourth year, for a full-time employment
- an employment contract of initially 1 year. If there is sufficient perspective, this will be extended to a total of 4 years. Your dissertation at the end of the fourth year forms the end of your employment contract.
We also offer you attractive fringe benefits and arrangements. Some examples:
- a full-time 38-hour working week comes with a holiday leave entitlement of 232 hours per year. If you choose to work 40 hours, you have 96 extra holiday leave hours on an annual basis. For part-timers, this is calculated pro rata.
- 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus
- solid pension scheme (ABP)
- contribution to commuting expenses
- optional model for designing a personalised benefits package
Additionally, we also offer a PhD education programme including training for teaching assistants and courses that are part of the SENSE graduate school.
About us
Institute for Environmental Studies (IVM)
Established in 1971, IVM is a leading environmental research institute that is internationally recognised for its high-quality research output in a range of environmental disciplines, as well as for its interdisciplinary work. The mission of the institute is to contribute to sustainable development and care for the environment through scientific research and teaching. IVM aims to do excellent problem-oriented research that is useful to a wide range of stakeholders in the Netherlands and internationally. A unique strength of our research is to understand sustainability problems in their social and economic context. IVM’s research community works within four departments: Environmental Economics; Environmental Geography, Environmental Policy Analysis; and Water and Climate Risk. Since 2001 IVM has been part of the Faculty of Science at VU Amsterdam (legal name Stichting VU).
The department of Environmental Policy Analysis (EPA) at IVM is a team of more than 25 researchers that was evaluated in the most recent international research quality review as “world leading” and as being “one of the highest profile academic research groups involved with sustainability governance from around the world”. We address questions related to institutional effectiveness and change, governance innovation and complexity as well as learning and adaptation. Empirically, we have a strong focus on water, climate change and biodiversity.
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.
Interested
Are you interested in this position and do you believe that your experience will contribute to the further development of our university? In that case, we encourage you to submit your application.
Submitting a diploma and a reference check are part of the application process.
Applications received by e-mail will not be considered.
Acquisition in response to this advertisement is not appreciated.
