项目介绍

2024年6月23日

We are looking for a PhD-candidate to be part of the new project Just adapt: The political economy of housing climate adaption, led by dr. Jens van ’t Klooster and dr. Cody Hochstenbach. The project will be interdisciplinary, being embedded in both the Department of Political Science and the Department of Geography, Planning and International Development Studies.

The physical impact of climate change cuts across almost every social and institutional domain. One key domain is the field of housing. The housing sector is exposed to huge financial risk due to rotting foundations, extreme weather, and floods. Financial valuation practices for residential real estate fail to take these potential losses into account, setting the stage for misallocated resources and billions in climate-related damages. Everywhere, key stakeholders in housing policy and the financial system are positioning themselves to determine who will pay the price for damage to housing from climate change.

Combining a focus on housing, financial policy and climate risks, the Just Adapt project studies the question: How will financialized housing systems distribute the costs of climate change over homeowners, investors, housing corporations, banks, insurers and (of course) the government? In your PhD project you will develop a qualitative political economy approach to climate adaptation as it takes shape in the Dutch context.

What are you going to do

• you perform empirical qualitative research (e.g. in-depth interviews and policy analysis) on climate adaptation in the Netherlands;
• you will complete a PhD dissertation based on four scientific articles, to be submitted to leading academic journals. Some of these articles will be in collaboration with other team members (including the PIs);
• you will actively contribute to the (national and international) activities of the Just Adapt project, such as scientific conferences and networks as well as expert meetings with policy makers and stakeholders;
• you will assist with administrative responsibilities related to the project, such as the organization of workshops or other project events;
• you will contribute to the teaching program of the department;
• you will take active part in seminars of the program group and the department;
• your primary residence will be within commuting distance of the University of Amsterdam for the duration of the PhD project.

What do you have to offer

The Just Adapt project spans a wide range of disciplines, and therefore we are open to candidates from a range of disciplinary backgrounds and an interest in political science and human geography. The project seeks to develop a political economy perspective using qualitative research methods such as ethnographic fieldwork and policy analysis. It seeks to contribute to academic debates on housing, financial policy and climate adaptation. We are looking for an enthusiastic candidate with a strong academic training who develops their own vision on how to contribute to the project.

Your experience and profile:

• a completed MA or Research MA in political science, human geography, sociology, public administration, anthropology or one of the related social sciences;
• interest in topics related to housing, climate and finance;
• training in qualitative research methods (e.g. in-depth interviews, ethnographic fieldwork, policy analysis), and a willingness to develop additional methodological expertise;
• good research skills, as demonstrated by your MA thesis or other publications/assignments;
• excellent command of English and good Dutch proficiency (given the fieldwork);
• the ability to work independently as well as part of a team..

What can we offer you

The position concerns temporary employment of 38 hours per week for a maximum term of four years. The initial employment is for one year. Following a positive assessment and barring altered circumstances, this term will be extended by a maximum of three years, which should result in the conferral of a doctorate. We will put together a curriculum which will also include the opportunity to attend training courses and both national and international events. You will also be tasked with teaching Bachelor’s students.

For this position the University Job Classification profile PhD candidate applies. 

Your salary will be €2.770 gross per month in the first year and will increase to €3.539 in the final year, based on full-time employment and in keeping with the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities. We additionally offer an extensive package of secondary benefits, including 8% holiday allowance and a year-end bonus of 8.3%.

The UvA offers excellent possibilities for further professional development and education.

About us

The University of Amsterdam is the largest university in the Netherlands, with the broadest spectrum of degree programmes. It is an intellectual hub with 39,000 students, 6,000 employees and 3,000 doctoral students who are all committed to a culture of inquiring minds.
 

About the faculty

A challenging work environment with a variety of duties and ample scope for individual initiative and development within an inspiring organization. The social and behavioural sciences play a leading role in addressing the major societal challenges faced by the world, the Netherlands and Amsterdam, now and in the future.

Want to know more about our organisation? Read more about working at the University of Amsterdam.

Questions

Do you have any questions or do you require additional information? Please contact:

• Dr. Jens van ’t Klooster (Political Science), j.m.vantklooster@uva.nl
• Dr. Cody Hochstenbach (Urban Geography) c.hochstenbach@uva.nl

Job application

Do you recognize yourself in the job profile? Then we look forward to receiving your application by 6 September 2024. You may apply online by using the link below.

Applications in pdf should include:

• a curriculum vitae (max 3 pages);
• a letter of motivation (max 2 pages, which also includes a short discussion of how you would approach the topic)
• a writing sample such as part of a master thesis or a publication (in case of a publication with multiple authors, please indicate which parts you wrote)

When uploading your application, upload your CV separately (in pdf) and bundle your motivation and writing sample (also in pdf).