The faculty of Geosciences of Utrecht University offers high quality teaching and research in the fields of Earth Sciences, Physical Geography, Innovation and Environmental Sciences and Human Geography and Urban and Regional Planning. The faculty is home to almost 2000 students and a staff of over 500 people.
The research of ISG is embedded in the Department of Innovation and Environmental Studies and part of the Copernicus Institute for Sustainable Development and Innovation. The department offers teaching programs in Science and Innovation Management, Environmental Science and Environmental Sciences and Policy.
PhD-researcher Improving user-producer interaction in the development of sustainable agro-food innovations (1,0 fte)
Job description
The Innovation Studies Group offers a PhD position for the project:
Improving user-producer interaction in the development of sustainable agro-food innovations
The project fits within scientific theme 4 ('Mobilization of sustainable products, services and experiences') of the TransForum project www.transforum.nl and is funded by a BSIK grant.
The full title of the project is: 'Improving interaction between KOMBI[1] partners in the development of sustainable and profitable innovations in the Dutch agro-food value-chain.
The objective of this interdisciplinary research project is to better understand and control the process of a transition towards a sustainable agro-food value chain. The transition towards a more sustainable and commercially viable agro-food value chain puts heavy demands on the collaboration between the KOMBI partners all over the agro-food value chain. The underlying assumption is that interaction between KOMBI partners can stimulate sustainable development if the multiple dimensions of sustainability (e.g. 'people, planet, profit') are adequately integrated in user-producer interaction (UPI) activities.
In this research project the following steps will be taken:
Development of a conceptual model of user-producer interaction, on the basis of theoretical literature and literature reflecting on UPI experiments in the agro-food chain. This model will describe under which conditions UPI in the agro-food chain has to be organized to stimulate the further development of commercially viable and more sustainable innovations.
On the basis of the above-mentioned conceptual model, 4 to 6 TransForum Innovative Practical (IP) projects will be analysed in order to broaden our understanding of the role of UPI in these specific product chains, and in agro-food value chains in general.
Analysis of how involvement of KOMBI partners improves the commercial and sustainable value of innovations in the agro-food chain, and development of a toolkit of instruments to facilitate the involvement of KOMBI partners in innovation processes in the agro-food chain.
The project will lead to a PhD dissertation.
[1] KOMBI is the (Dutch) acronym for all relevant stakeholders: Knowledge institutes, Public authorities, Societal organizations, Businesses and Intermediary organizations.
Qualifications
We seek a talented and ambitious researcher for this challenging research project, holding a relevant academic degree (M.Sc. or equivalent) in a relevant field with provable affinity with Science, Technology & Innovation studies, (evolutionary) economics, business school, policy analysis or a combined natural/social science background in agro-food of life-sciences. Excellent written communication skills, above-average study results, and the ability to work in an interdisciplinary Transforum team are a must.
A large part of this position involves the direct contact with members from the Dutch agricultural community. Most of which have no understanding of the Basic English language, so we cannot consider applicants who don't have a profound knowledge of the Dutch language.
Terms of employment
We offer a fulltime PhD-position for 4 years (0,8 fte is an option). The gross monthly salary increases from € 2,000.- in year 1 to € 2,558.- in year 4 according to the Collective Employment Agreement of the Dutch Universities. Secondary benefits include e.g. a pension scheme, flexible employment conditions, holiday bonus and end-of-year bonus.
Further details
Are you interested? You can obtain further details from Dr Ellen Moors (phone: +31(0) 30 253 7812 / 1625 e-mail: e.moors@geo.uu.nl) or Dr Jacco Farla (phone: +31(0) 30 253 7850, j.farla@geo.uu.nl). You may also visit the group’s website at: http://www.nwi.uu.nl/.
How to apply
Please send your written application consisting of a letter of motivation, curriculum vitae and addresses of 2 referees, stating where you saw the job advertised, to Ms. C. Schoof, Personnel Department, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, Postbus 80115, 3508 TC Utrecht, The Netherlands, or by e-mail to PenO@geo.uu.nl, quoting vacancy number 72096.
Application deadline: 6 May 2008
Publication date
21-01-2008
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