项目介绍

2026年7月16日

Are you interested in sustainable transitions, group processes and farmer identities? Are you looking for a PhD position with both scientific and societal impact? In that case, this PhD position at the Environmental Psychology research group at the University of Groningen might just be what you are looking for. This PhD position is embedded in the large-scale transdisciplinary project Re-Ge-NL focused on accelerating the transition to a regenerative, remunerative and socially supported agricultural sector in the Netherlands (https://regenl.nl/).

Are farmers motivated to contribute to sustainability transitions in the agricultural sector? Your research will investigate how farmers’ personal and social identities predict support for these sustainability transitions, and how these personal and social identities vice versa are transformed by the wider societal context in which these transitions take place (e.g. farmer protests and sustainability initiatives, nitrogen policies, and public perceptions of farmers).

What are you going to do?

• Conduct longitudinal studies and complementary experimental lab studies.
• Coordinate with other partners within the Re-Ge-NL consortium.
• Publish findings in international scientific journals.
• Present your research at international scientific conferences and to the wider public.
• Contribute to a policy brief with recommendations regarding sustainable motivations.
• Contribute to a limited number of teaching activities in the Environmental Psychology department, such as working groups and guest lectures. 
• Follow courses to complete your PhD training (Kurt Lewin Institute).

Faculty of Behavioural and Social SciencesApply no later than: 14 August 202623:59 Dutch local time€3.059 – €3.881

Who are you?

You are an enthusiastic candidate, with:

• A (Research) MSc-degree in Social or Environmental Psychology, or related Social Science field.
• Knowledge and skills in quantitative empirical research with human subjects.
• Experience with theory-driven research with a clear eye for practical implications and policy recommendations.
• A team player with strong communication skills.
• Excellent academic writing skills (English).
• Dutch language proficiency (C1 preferred).
• Good organisational skills and perseverance.

What can you expect from us?

• In accordance with the collective labor agreement for Dutch universities, we offer a salary of at least € 3.059 up to a maximum of € 3.881 (promovendus) gross per month for a full-time employment contract.
• 232 vacation hours per year, based on a 38-hour workweek (1.0 FTE). You can also work more or fewer hours in exchange for more or fewer free hours. For example, with a 40-hour workweek, you save 96 extra free hours, and with a 36-hour workweek, you lose 96 hours.
• End-of-year bonus of 8.3% and 8% holiday allowance.
• Extensive opportunities for personal and professional development.
• Temporary employment of 1.0 FTE for a period of four years. You will first receive temporary employment for the period of one year. After a positive Results and Development Interview, the contract will be extended for the remaining period of three years. Intended starting date: 1 November 2026

Where will you be working?

At the University of Groningen (UG), researchers from all fields of academia and technology are working on academic challenges and societal questions. Lecturers prepare their students for meaningful careers within or outside the academic world. Interdisciplinary research and teaching, sharing of knowledge, collaboration with businesses, government institutions, and societal organizations are aspects that are of the utmost importance to this European top university. The UG aims to be an open academic community with an inclusive and safe working climate that invites you to add your value.

The Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences (GMW) excels in research and teaching in the areas of behaviour, thinking, learning, and participation in society. More than 4,500 students and approximately 650 staff address social questions and challenges that people experience in daily life. Our core focus is on individual and societal resilience and how to strengthen it. We focus on current themes such as health and wellbeing, sustainable living, learning and development, inclusive society, safe and healthy upbringing, and work and collaboration. If you would like to learn more about the Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences, visit rug.nl/gmw. 

Environmental Psychology at the University of Groningen has a national and international reputation for excellence. Research within the Environmental Psychology group focuses on a wide range of topics, including understanding which factors affect individual and collective sustainable behaviours (such as energy use, car use, food consumption, and participation in environmental groups); understanding how people and groups cope with environmental and climate risks; understanding the effectiveness of strategies to promote sustainable behaviour; understanding the acceptability environmental policies and changes; and the effects of climate change and sustainable behaviour on wellbeing. The research group aims to contribute to theory development and practice, and actively collaborates with scholars from different disciplines within and outside the University of Groningen, as well as with governments, NGOs, and various organisations. For more information about the Environmental Psychology Research Group check the link: 

Under the supervision and guidance of Prof. Lise Jans and Dr Thijs Bouman, and within a consortium of multidisciplinary researchers and diverse societal partners within the agricultural sector, you will work on furthering understanding on the motivational influence of farmer identities in advancing sustainable transitions. Using longitudinal surveys among farmers and citizens and experimental methods, you will examine how farmer identities shape, and are shaped by, sustainability transitions in the agricultural sector.