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PhD thesis on the transition to a green steel industry
Are you passionate about sustainability transformation and innovation? The Copernicus Institute for Sustainability at Utrecht University is looking for a PhD candidate to explore the path of transformation in the CO2-neutral steel industry. Join this dynamic research team and contribute to cutting-edge solutions for a greener future. The Copernicus Institute for Sustainability at Utrecht University is seeking a motivated PhD candidate to contribute to cutting-edge research on the transition to a green steel industry. A world without steel is unthinkable, but we need to produce steel in a sustainable way. the Groeien met Groen Staal program (GGS) aims to make the Dutch steel industry CO2-neutral by 2050. Despite its environmental impact, steel is vital to modern society and its development, and plays an important economic role in the Netherlands. Transformation is necessary if the steel industry is to remain a key sector of the Dutch economy. Achieving ambitious environmental and social goals will require the development of innovative transformation pathways. This process requires multi-stakeholder cooperation and coordination on a local and international level (taking into account foreign ownership and the competitive environment). In this project, we will apply the Mission Oriented Innovation System (MIS) framework to analyze the entire problem-solution space for the transition to a green steel value chain. This includes the entire ecosystem needed to achieve a climate-neutral and circular steel supply chain (including stakeholders along the value chain as well as important factors external to the steel value chain, such as sufficient green hydrogen production). The ecosystem includes all direct stakeholders, both supporters and opponents of swift climate action, as well as the environment (e.g. R&D capacity, policy development, NGOs) that influences innovation in the green steel value chain. In this project, you will collaborate with a wide range of stakeholders both inside and outside the (green) steel value chain, in particular in close cooperation with other researchers at Utrecht University, Delft University of Technology, Leiden University, and the University of Twente. Specifically, you will conduct in-depth analysis of mission-specific innovation systems related to the transition to a green steel value chain; explore societal issues and strategic motivations, as well as solutions and the role of stakeholders; identify and map drivers, barriers and opportunities in the innovation system; develop and validate intervention strategies to address systemic challenges and accelerate the transition; collaborate with policymakers, businesses, knowledge institutions and NGOs, among other stakeholders; publish high-quality academic papers in peer-reviewed journals and present research findings at conferences; and contribute to the Copernicus Institute’s broader sustainability transition and circular economy research programs.
This PhD program may be a good fit for you if you have: a Master’s degree in innovation studies, sustainability science, industrial ecology or a related field; strong analytical and research skills, with experience in qualitative methods; knowledge of innovation systems, sustainability transitions, political science, or the circular economy (preferred); excellent English written and oral communication skills, preferably also in Dutch; willingness to work in an interdisciplinary collaborative research environment.
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We offer
DA6F4 => We offer a one-year position, extendable to a total of four years if the first year’s assessment is successful, during which time a PhD will be obtained; a 38-hour workweek and, if working full-time, a gross monthly salary of between €2,901 and €3,707 (grade P in the Collective Agreement on Labor at Universities in the Netherlands (CAO NU)); 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus; pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible employment terms based on the CAO NU. In addition to the external link employment terms set out in the CAO NU, Utrecht University offers its employees a number of its own programs and facilities. These include an external link program for professional development, a sabbatical program, an external link program for sports and cultural events, and discounts on software and other IT products. We also offer additional employee benefits through our Terms of Employment Option Model. In this way, we encourage employees to continue to invest in their own growth. For more information, please visit the Utrecht University Job Opportunities external link.