About your role
You will lead a postdoctoral research project consisting of three interconnected studies on true pricing as a potential leverage point for systemic change in the food system.
Your work includes:
- developing a research protocol at the intersection of public health, sustainability science and system dynamics, using mixed and innovative methods;
- conducting a structured stakeholder analysis across Germany, Italy, Denmark and the Netherlands, expanding towards international actors such as the European Commission and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO);
- performing 10–15 cognitive mapping interviews to explore stakeholder beliefs, attitudes and behavioural intentions regarding true pricing;
- facilitating two group model building workshops to co-develop a shared systems understanding of true pricing in the international food system;
- translating findings into a systems model that identifies dynamics, interdependencies and leverage points for policy and decision-making.
You will collaborate closely with a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Copenhagen, who develops the legal, policy and scientific evidence base on true pricing and food system transitions. Your results will contribute to follow-up studies, including field experiments and policy advice.
There are also opportunities to contribute to teaching, for example within the University of Amsterdam Master’s programme Complex Systems and Policy and within the Faculty of Medicine.
In addition, you will contribute to scientific publications, grant applications and presentations at national and international conferences.
About youWe are looking for a motivated researcher with strong analytical skills and an interest in systemic change in food systems.
You have:
- a PhD in public policy, public health, sustainability science or a related interdisciplinary field;
- experience with qualitative research methods, including interviews and thematic analysis;
- familiarity with systems thinking, transition studies or complexity approaches, or the ability to work with system dynamics outputs;
- strong analytical skills at the interface of empirical research, governance and normative questions;
- affinity with food system transitions, sustainability governance or climate- and health-related policy;
- experience with stakeholder engagement, co-creation or participatory research;
- excellent written and spoken English; Dutch is not required but considered an advantage.
Our offer- You will be employed by Amsterdam UMC Research BV.
- A contract for 12 months, with the intention to extend to 24 months. Planned start date is 1st August 2026.
- Classification in salary scale 10: € 3.598 to € 5.669 gross for full-time employment (depending on experience). In addition to a good basic salary, we offer 8.3% end-of-year bonus. Calculate your net salary here. As of 1 July 2026, the salary will be increased by 3.5% in accordance with the collective labor agreement (CAO UMC).
- This position is for 0.8 FTE (29 hours per week), 1.0 FTE can be discussed.
- Holiday hours: 194.4 per year for full time and a possibility to save additional hours.
- 100% reimbursement for public transport travel costs. If you travel by foot, bicycle, or car, a mileage allowance of €0.21 per km applies (up to a maximum of 40 km one way by car).
- Do you prefer walking or cycling? Take advantage of our good bike scheme.
- Pension accrual with BeFrank, a modern, comprehensible and fairly priced pension.
Watch this video with more information about joining Amsterdam UMC Research BV.
