As a Postdoc, you will be an integral part of the Ways of Water project. You will undertake empirical fieldwork in the Port of Amsterdam region and examine how the social, ecological and technological system elements make up the urban metabolism of the Port of Amsterdam. Data collection will focus on stakeholders perceptions (surveys/interviews), but will also include data on the effects of the energy transition on ecosystem functioning (e.g., salinity dynamics, fish migration), economy (e.g., trade, businesses and resource flows),  technology (e.g., infrastructure mapping, urban plans/construction), as well as potential sources of risks and benefits, including pollution from industry and agriculture, protecting ecological functions, navigational use for trade and businesses, tourism, as well as residents’ needs. Stakeholder perceptions will be elicited from stakeholders located in, affecting and affected by changes of the port area’s water systems.

You are expected to position the case of Amsterdam in relation to urban and port developments elsewhere in Europe, and to bridge epistemological approaches from the social and environmental sciences to explain the different ways of valuing water in port-cities.

You will/tasks:

• apply an innovative and interdisciplinary conceptual framework to analyse the urban metabolism of port areas, applied to the case of Amsterdam;
• collect and analyse empirical data related to the Port of Amsterdam, both qualitative and quantitative;
• present and discuss your work with local stakeholders and communities;
• translate your research into both academic output and societal output relevant for local stakeholders;
• join the research groups of UP and IBED and co-organize seminars and workshops;
• participate in international conferences, workshops, seminars and other scholarly activities.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and curious candidate who has a passion for doing interdisciplinary research and is keen on working on issues at the intersection of the natural and the social sciences with respect to urban water systems in port-cities and under threat from climatic and socioeconomic changes. You have an interest in conducting fieldwork, as well as bridging different theories and concepts, including urban metabolism and SETS approaches. The successful candidate will be able to adjust to different and unexpected conditions, work across disciplinary boundaries, and find creative solutions to research problems.

Candidates should hold a PhD in human geography, urban and regional planning, urban studies, environmental planning and management, or a closely related field. Preference will be given to participants with experience across more than one of the aforementioned disciplines.

Successful candidates are those who:

• are passionate about and have demonstrated aptitude for conducting interdisciplinary research;
• have demonstrated experience with both qualitative and quantitative methods;
• have demonstrated transdisciplinary research skills, seen in previous work with stakeholders and/or communities;
• have very good writing skills and are able to develop critical complex arguments;
• have very good English skills (written and verbal), and preferably speak Dutch (relevant to the fieldwork);
• are a team player and able to work independently.

The position concerns a temporary employment of 38 hours per week. The employment is for 14 months.

The candidate will have the opportunity to attend training courses, and to present at (inter)national conferences. We will also cover resources for fieldwork and local workshop.