PhD position (double-degree) in Circular Economy and Food Consumption (1.0 FTE) (V25.0082)

This PhD project offers a unique opportunity to work in an international environment and to acquire valuable research experience. It is a Double PhD degree at the University of Groningen, at Campus Fryslân in Leeuwarden (The Netherlands) and Halmstad University (Sweden).

The PhD project
The project is titled: Stakeholders perception and behaviors regarding Circular Economy in the food waste sector. The aim is to assess how different stakeholders in the food sector perceive the benefits and difficulties and/or limitations of Circular Economy tools. The project will explore companies with different roles in the value chain as well as consumers, through empirical research (e.g., case studies) in The Netherlands and Sweden.

Research about consumers’ awareness and behavior related to Circular Economy (CE) has increased recently, but there are several remaining knowledge gaps, especially on how people perceive this concept and engage in circular practices through production and consumption.

The PhD will include 1 literature review and 3 empirical projects. The literature review will be about mapping circular business models and potential opportunities in the food sector. The empirical projects will include companies that adopt circular initiatives (e.g., apps that sell surplus food or products close to expire), and consumers perception and engagement in such initiatives.

Example of the PhD student’s tasks: perform a critical literature review; select circular initiatives in the food sector; perform interviews with companies’ representatives; survey with the consumers. The project will consider cases in Sweden and in The Netherlands, which will offer an interesting opportunity for comparison in terms of cultural differences among companies and consumers in such countries. Besides research tasks, suitable courses depend on which research focus will be relevant as well as compulsory courses within the doctoral education. Teaching tasks are also part of the PhD position, as mentioned in the conditions of employment. For example, the PhD student might supervise a Bachelor thesis, but could also participate in (guest) lectures or have course responsibility.

You will be under the supervision of Dr Mariana Cardoso Chrispim and Dr Berfu Ünal from the University of Groningen at the Faculty of Campus Fryslan in Leeuwarden, and Prof. Marie Mattsson and Dr Pia Ulvenblad from Halmstad University.

Organisation
Founded in 1614, the University of Groningen enjoys an international reputation as a dynamic and innovative institution of higher education offering high-quality teaching and research. Flexible study programmes and academic career opportunities in a wide variety of disciplines encourage the 34,000 students and researchers alike to develop their own individual talents. As one of the best research universities in Europe, the University of Groningen has joined forces with other top universities and networks worldwide to become a truly global centre of knowledge.

Campus Fryslân is the ambitious eleventh and newest faculty of the University of Groningen, located in Leeuwarden. Campus Fryslân is an interdisciplinary faculty that works closely together with regional, national and international partners on worldwide (sustainability) challenges and local solutions. The sustainable development goals of the United Nations thus serve as an important guideline.

We offer challenging Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD degree programs. The research institute covers six research domains: Global and Local Governance, Governance and Innovation, Sustainable Entrepreneurship in a Circular Economy, Language, Technology and Culture, Knowledge Infrastructures and Sustainable Health. In the summer of 2019, Campus Fryslân has moved to the new faculty building De Beurs: the first all-electric, monumental educational building in The Netherlands.

Information about the partner University
Halmstad University adds value, drives innovation and prepares people and society for the future. Since the beginning, in 1983, innovation and collaboration with society have characterized the University's education and research. The research is internationally reputable and is largely conducted in a multidisciplinary manner within the University's two focus areas: Health Innovation and Smart Cities and Communities. The University has a wide range of education with many popular study programmes. The campus is modern and well-equipped. The research is connected to the University´s four schools:
School of Business, Innovation and Sustainability; School of Education, Humanities and Social Sciences; School of Health and Welfare; and School of Information Technology.
Within the School of Business, Innovation and Sustainability, a research programme with members from environmental science, economics and renewable energy fields has been developed. This research programme calls ProActS (Promoting resource efficiency, co-creative Actions, and Innovation for Sustainable transition) takes a broad and multidisciplinary approach to sustainability issues. The goal of the research program is to positively contribute to societal developments in sustainability and circularity. ProActS will in the near future enroll several new PhD-students and post-docs working with energy efficiency and circular business models.

• A Research Master’s or Master’s degree completed with the focus area related to the project (e.g., Circular Economy, sustainability, environmental sciences, sustainable entrepreneurship or a related discipline).
• A very good record of undergraduate and graduate studies.
• Basic knowledge in sustainable consumption and production systems, Circular Economy, and eco-innovation.
• Knowledge/familiarity about research methods; mainly qualitative research (e.g., interviews) and data analysis (e.g., thematic analysis/coding). Experience with quantitative methods would be an asset.
• Previous work experience on Circular Economy projects or sustainable food is desirable (e.g., research, such as master thesis or other jobs outside academia).
• Excellent command of spoken and written Academic English.
• Very good individual and collaborative working skills.
• Willingness to building relationships, networks and partnerships with internal and external partners.
• Presenting, planning and organizational skills.
• Clear interest in collaborative interdisciplinary research and flexible in working in two universities and countries.
• Demonstrable competences such as planning, prioritization and organization of work in multiple tasks, synthesizing complex data from different sources and good communication of findings orally and via written reports and articles for diverse audiences.
• International experience (e.g., participation in summerschools, conferences/trainings, internships) is an asset.
• Strong motivation to complete a PhD dissertation in four years.

The project will be funded 50% by Campus Fryslân (University of Groningen) and 50% by Halmstad University (Sweden).
During the first two years of the project, in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, the University of Groningen offers you:

• A salary of € 2,901 gross per month in the first year, and € 3,378 gross per month in the second year, based on a full-time position.
• A holiday allowance of 8% gross annual income.
• An 8.3% end-of-the-year allowance.
• A temporary 1.0 FTE appointment for a specified period of two years at the University of Groningen. The candidate will first be appointed for twelve months. After nine months, an assessment will take place of the candidate’s results and the progress of the PhD project, in order to decide whether employment will be continued. Prolongation of the contract is contingent on sufficient progress in the first year to indicate that a successful completion of the PhD thesis within the contract period is to be expected. Following this period, the candidate will be appointed for two years at Halmstad University.
• A PhD training program is part of the agreement and the successful candidate will be enrolled in the Graduate School of the Faculty. As part of the program, the PhD researcher will take part in the Career Perspectives Series, which provides a thorough preparation on the career after the PhD, inside or outside academia. During the course of the doctorate, the PhD candidate will develop research and teaching competencies as well as leadership skills. For this, the PhD researcher will receive a tailor-made programme from the GSCF.
• The PhD candidate is expected to teach during the first and second year of their appointment for up to max. 350 hours per year, based on a full time contract.
• Willingness to move and reside for 2 years in the Netherlands, followed by 2 years in Sweden.

During year 3 and 4, in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Swedish Universities, Halmstad University will offer you:

• A temporary 2-year appointment at Halmstad Universit.
• A salary of approximately € 3,100 gross per month (year 3) to approximately € 3,300 gross per month (at the end of year 4).
• A holiday allowance of 5%.
• Possibility to take part in teaching but with no teaching obligation.
• A workplace with excellent facilities and working conditions.

The appointmentis expected to commence on 1 June 2025. We allow 3 months from selection in case of VISA applications.

Please submit your application in English, including:

• A recent curriculum vitae up to 3 pages.
• A motivation letter of a maximum of two A4 pages, including how you and your experience fulfill the expected/required qualifications.
• A copy of an article, book chapter or other academic text (e.g., Master thesis) that you wrote (first author or co-author) and you feel best represents your work and which is connected to this research topic (e.g., Circular Economy, Sustainable consumption and behavior, food waste). In case of no previous publication, please select a scientific paper that you consider is connected to this PhD project and write a short text (1 page) explaining why.
• A copy of your diplomas (Bachelor and Master degrees) with a list of course grades.
• Proof of English proficiency, more information available in this link: https://www.rug.nl/education/phd-programmes/prospective/phd-positions/english-language-requirements.
• Reference letters from two academic referees, including contact details.

You may apply for this opportunity until 3 March 11:59pm / before 4 March 2025 Dutch local time (CET) by means of the application form (click on "Apply" below on the advertisement on the university website).

Please send in your application as two PDF files (one for the MA thesis, and one for all other documents).

Interviews with selected candidates are scheduled for 28 March 2025 (note that it is possible to join online).

The University of Groningen strives to be a university in which students and staff are respected and feel at home, regardless of differences in background, experiences, perspectives, and identities. We believe that working on our core values of inclusion and equality are a joint responsibility and we are constructively working on creating a socially safe environment. Diversity among students and staff members enriches academic debate and contributes to the quality of our teaching and research. We therefore invite applicants from underrepresented groups in particular to apply. For more information, see also our diversity policy webpage: https://www.rug.nl/about-ug/policy-and-strategy/diversity-and-inclusion/

Our selection procedure follows the guidelines of the Recruitment code (NVP): https://www.nvp-hrnetwerk.nl/sollicitatiecode/ and European Commission's European Code of Conduct for recruitment of researchers: https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/charter/code

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