PhD student in Social Psychology on ‘Behavioral change and collective action for climate action and energy transition’

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PhD student in Social Psychology on ‘Behavioral change and collective action for climate action and energy transition’

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Job description

Offer DescriptionThe main tasks will include:

• Writing a PhD thesis
• Planning and executing data collection (both secondary data and new data)
• Setting up experiments (lab, online or field) and surveys
• Executing basic and advanced data analysis
• Preparing scientific articles to be published in international journals
• Presenting at national and international scientific conferences
• Active participation in the Department of Social Psychology (e.g., by attending lecture series and departmental meetings).
• Active participation in the Academic Collaborative Center for Climate and Energy (e.g., by engaging with other researchers and societal partners).

Description of the PhD project
Human behavior plays an important role in climate change, and can thus also make a significant positive contribution to climate action and the energy transition. In the debate about climate action and the energy transition, there is a discourse on individual action and behavioral change on the one hand, and a discourse on collective action, institutional change, and social innovation on the other. The former is about changes in lifestyle to reduce one’s carbon footprint, including insulating one’s home, installing solar panels and a heat pump, and buying an electric car. The latter is about changes in policy and legislation to meet climate and energy goals, through collectively organized solutions such as heat grids, but also about energy communities that enable collective and citizen-driven energy actions to support climate action and the energy transition.
Rarely, these discourses are connected. Indeed, they are sometimes even perceived – and portrayed – as conflicting. This disconnection may, however, have serious implications for the effectiveness of climate action and the energy transition, and come at the expense of social equity and inclusion. There thus is a need for a synthesis, substantiated by interdisciplinary research in the social and behavioral sciences.
This project hence aims to embrace both perspectives, by investigating the underlying logics of individual and collective action, and notably the ways through which the divide between individual and collective action can be counteracted. How can individual climate action and behavioral change for the energy transition be stimulated, whilst also organizing collective action and bringing about institutional change and social innovation? Addressing this question is urgent and important for scholars and societal stakeholders (e.g., local and regional governments, grid operators, consumer organizations) alike, and may contribute to both a better understanding of the role of human behavior in climate action and the energy transition as well as better informed policy and legislation backing individual and collective action.Description of the Academic Collaborative Center for Climate and Energy
The candidate will be embedded in the Department of Social Psychology within the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences (TSB). In addition, the research of the PhD project will take place within the context of the , which is an interdisciplinary and university-wide center within Tilburg University. In the ACC, we study the societal dimension of climate action and the energy transition, including the social, psychological, legal, economic and political challenges encountered throughout the energy transition and in the achievement of climate goals. We work together with societal partners, including public institutions, industry, and other knowledge institutes, to map the problems encountered in the energy transition and to develop innovative solutions. As the ACC is a cross-faculty collaboration, you are expected to work with academics from other departments, faculties and institutions, as engaging in team science is core to our approach. The PhD project furthermore involves close transdisciplinary collaboration with non-academic partners such as local and regional governments, grid operators and consumer groups.Where to apply WebsiteRequirementsSpecific RequirementsTilburg University seeks candidates with knowledge, skills, and character. We are curious about your contribution. We think you should have the following qualities for this position:We are looking for a highly motivated and curious PhD candidate. Candidates ideally have a relevant academic background in (social) psychology or another behavioral science discipline relevant to the project and are in possession of a master’s or research master’s degree (or expect to obtain such a degree in the near future). We are looking for candidates who have:

• An interest in conducting interdisciplinary research on the topic of behavioral change and collective action in the energy transition
• Demonstrated capacities to conduct quantitative research
• Advanced research skills (for example, experimental design, survey design, preregistration and other Open Science practices) and data analytical abilities (for example, meta-analysis, power-analysis, multilevel regression modeling)
• In-depth knowledge of statistical and programming tools (e.g., R, Stata, SPSS, Qualtrics)
• Proficiency in English at an academic level, including strong writing skills
• Excellent communication and cooperation skills and the willingness to work in a team
• Commitment to open science

Increasing your value
With us, you will find everything you need to maximize your potential and development. We offer excellent facilities and support for research, education, and making societal impact. In all three of these areas, we “recognize and reward” you in line with national university aspirations. Read more about careers at Tilburg University and personal development .

Additional InformationBenefitsYour valuable contribution will be rewarded with attractive and sufficient attention to work-life balance. Our offer includes:

• A position based on 0,8 FTE (32 hours per week)
• This is a vacancy that is temporarily funded on the basis of the National Education Program, in accordance with Article 2.3 paragraph 6 sub c of the CLA for Dutch Universities. You will be given a temporary employment contract for the duration of 12 months. Upon a positive outcome of the first-year evaluation, the candidate will be offered an employment contract for the remaining four years when working 0,8 FTE.
• A salary ranging from a minimum of €2.770 to a maximum of €3.539 gross per month for full time employment, based on UFO profile PhD-candidate and salary scale PR of the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities.

In addition to your monthly salary, you will receive 41 vacation days (for a 40-hour work week), a holiday allowance (8%), and a year-end bonus (8.3%). We reimburse the full cost of sustainable commuting: walking, cycling, or public transportation. We have a moving expenses scheme that makes it attractive to live close to the university. You will be enrolled in the ABP pension fund through us. Our Options Model allows you to choose from a variety of facilities at a tax advantage. You can work in a hybrid manner: on campus and, for a reimbursement, from home. Researchers from outside the Netherlands may qualify for a tax-free allowance of 30% of their taxable salary if they meet the relevant conditions. The university applies for this allowance on their behalf.We aim for October 1, 2024 as starting date, but the exact date can be determined together.Your work environment
You will work in a pleasant working environment; a green campus with plenty of facilities. At a leading, entrepreneurial, and innovative university in the humanities and social sciences. The university employs 2,400 staff members and hosts 20,000 students of some 100 different nationalities. For nearly a century, this organization has worked together with a tradition aimed at contributing to society. We strive to be a community where differences in age, gender, orientation, and cultural and religious backgrounds are valued, with equal opportunities for colleagues and students and where, moreover, all decisions take into account the importance of preserving the Earth for future generations.
Read more about Tilburg University .Selection processTo apply for this position, please submit an application that includes * A cover letter outlining your interest in this project and highlighting your skills related to that project;

• Your Curriculum Vitae
• Transcript of records (grades) for both your Bachelor and Masters degrees;
• One writing sample of an academic text you have recently written (e.g., (draft of) master thesis).

You can address your motivation letter to the selection committee. Shortlisted candidates will be asked to present an outline of their ideas for a first academic paper for their project.The first selection interviews will take place in mid-september, per video call if needed. The selection committee consists of:

• Dr. Rob Nelissen, Associate Professor, Promotor
• Dr. Christoph Kogler, Associate Professor, Co-promotor
• Prof. dr. Martijn Groenleer, Academic Lead, Academic Collaborative Center for Climate and Energy
• Steffi Menten, Postdoctoral Researcher, Academic Collaborative Center for Climate and Energy

Additional commentsWould you like to join us with your valuable input? Then apply online by August 30, 2024.
More information about the content of the vacancies and the projects can be obtained from Dr. Rob Nelissen, Associate Professor at the Department of Social Psychology, e-mail: . Website for additional job detailsWork Location(s)Number of offers available 1 Company/Institute Tilburg School of Social and Behavioral Sciences Country Netherlands City Tilburg Postal Code 5037 AB Street Warandelaan 2 GeofieldContact CityTilburg WebsiteStreetWarandelaan 2 Postal Code5037 ABSTATUS: EXPIREDShare this page

Expected salary

Location

Tilburg, Noord-Brabant

Job date

Sun, 21 Jul 2024 06:15:58 GMT

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