Phd Position: Accelerating The Transition to a

2 weken geleden

Utrecht, Utrecht, Nederland Universiteit Utrecht Voltijd

In this project, you will integrate analysis of technical and social innovations to enable behavioural change and uptake of new business models.


Your job:


The extensive use of land, water, energy, and chemicals makes the têxtile industry one of the most polluting sectors worldwide.

Both the Dutch government and the European Commission aim to improve the circularity of the têxtile sector to ensure a sustainable future.

The Dutch Circular Economy programme highlights the necessity of behaviour change and the adoption of circular principles, such as the use of second-hand platforms and the dissuasion of fast-fashion consumption, to name two examples.

Central to the programme is the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), which in principles is meant to encourage producers and retailers in the Dutch têxtile industry to change their business models and enhance têxtile collection efforts.


This PhD project aims to accelerate the transition to a circular têxtile economy by leveraging the Mission-specific Innovation Systems (MIS) framework.

This framework provides a systems perspective to study the dynamics of diffusion and implementation of innovation.

It maps the actors, networks, and institutions involved, assesses system performance, and identifies barriers to achieving societal missions through innovation.

Until now, the MIS has mainly focused on technological innovation but in this project we also want to focus on the social innovations that are needed to accelerate the transition towards circular têxtiles.

The research will focus on integrating both technological and social innovations and will focus on those R strategies that involve behavioural change and new business models.

The project will map the mental models of various stakeholders within the Mission-specific Innovation System (MIS), assess the viability of circular business models, and provide intervention options for stakeholders in the innovation ecosystem that might be needed to supplement the shortcomings of existing mechanisms, such as some aspects of EPR.


Research Questions:

  • What do mental models of drivers and barriers for participating, collaborating in, and understanding a circular têxtile ecosystem look like?
  • How can mapping mental models of actors in the circular economy support a system analysis and be integrated into system models?
  • What is the diversity in perspectives on the circular economy among and across actors (policymakers, producers, consumers)?
  • What is preventing the uptake and diffusion of Circular Business Models (CBMs) and Circular Consumption Practices (CCPs)?
The research will combine qualitative and quantitative methods, including:

  • Qualitative Research: Expert interviews, desktop research, and workshops to collect data on the MIS and business models.
  • Quantitative Research: Surveys and data analysis to map the mental models of stakeholders across the value chain; Cost-Benefit Analysis.

You key tasks include:
- conducting expert interviews and workshops to gather insights on MIS and business models;
- designing and distributing surveys to map stakeholders' mental models using M-Tool;
- analysing data to identify intervention points and design recommendations;
- developing a framework for studying the transition to a circular têxtile economy from systems, organisational, and actor perspectives;
- providing specific intervention strategies for policymakers and stakeholders within the innovation ecosystem.

Your qualities:

- a Master's degree in a relevant field such as innovation and transition studies, behavioural studies, sustainability, environmental science, industrial ecology or a related discipline;
- strong interest in interdisciplinary research and the circular economy;
- affinity with transition studies and behavioural change;
- experience in qualitative and quantitative research methods;
- excellent analytical and problem-solving skills;
- ability to interact with stakeholders across different sectors;
- strong communication skills in English (Dutch is a plus).

Our offer:

We offer:
- a position for one year, with an extension to a total of four years upon a successful assessment in the first year, and with the specific intent that it results in a doctorate within this period;
- a gross monthly salary between €2,770 and €3,539 in the case of full-time employment (salary scale P under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU));

  • 8% holiday pay and 8.3% yearend bonus;
- a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU.


In addition to the terms of employment laid down in the CAO NU, Utrecht University has a number of schemes and facilities of its own for employees.

This includes schemes facilitating professional development, leave schemes and schemes for sports and cultural activities, as well as discounts on software and other IT products.

We also offer access to additional employee benefits thro

  • PhD Position: Accelerating the Transition to a Circular Textile Economy

    2 weken geleden

    Utrecht, Utrecht, Nederland Universiteit Utrecht Voltijd

    The project integrates analysis of technical and social innovations to enable behavioural change and new business models. Something for you? Apply nowIn this project, you will integrate analysis of technical and social innovations to enable behavioural change and uptake of new business models.Your jobThe extensive use of land, water, energy, and chemicals...

  • PhD Position on the Geography of Online Labour Platforms

    2 weken geleden

    Utrecht, Utrecht, Nederland Universiteit Utrecht Voltijd

    Are you excited to develop a geographical perspective on the emerging phenomenon of online labour platforms? Join our project as a PhD candidateThe department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning is looking for a PhD candidate who will develop a geographical perspective on the emerging phenomenon of online labour platforms.Your jobOnline labour platforms...

  • PhD position 'The neurophysiological mechanisms of sensory hypersensitivity'

    2 weken geleden

    Utrecht, Utrecht, Nederland Universiteit Utrecht Voltijd

    Position: PhD Candidate in Experimental Psychology Department: Department of Experimental Psychology, Utrecht University Hours per week: 36 to 40 Application Deadline: February 25, 2024 We are seeking a dedicated PhD candidate for a four-year research position at the Department of Experimental Psychology at Utrecht University. Are you...

  • PhD position in philosophy of science

    4 weken geleden

    Utrecht, Utrecht, Nederland Utrecht University Voltijd

    Science communication often involves hyped, overly broad claims about research findings. What are the causes, social epistemological risks, and who's responsible? In this PhD project, you will be researching these questions.Wat ga je doen?We are offering a fully funded four-year PhD position to a researcher interested in philosophically and experimentally...

  • PhD position in philosophy of science

    2 maanden geleden

    Utrecht, Utrecht, Nederland Utrecht University Voltijd

    Science communication often involves hyped, overly broad claims about research findings. What are the causes, social epistemological risks, and who's responsible? In this PhD project, you will be researching these questions.Wat ga je doen?We are offering a fully funded four-year PhD position to a researcher interested in philosophically and experimentally...

  • Phd Position On The Geography of Online Labour

    2 weken geleden

    Utrecht, Utrecht, Nederland Universiteit Utrecht Voltijd

    Your job:Online labour platforms play an important role in organising the global outsourcing of tasks. Online labour platforms bring together providers and requesters of short-term tasks that can be executed completely online, such as visual design or annotating data to train AI models. Online labour platforms come with the promise of allowing individuals...

  • PhD Position: Understanding Human Biases During AI-aided Systematic Reviewing

    2 weken geleden

    Utrecht, Utrecht, Nederland Universiteit Utrecht Voltijd

    Do you want to understand how and why humans interact with an AI to accelerate systematic reviews? If so, apply for this PhD positionDo you want to understand how and why humans interact with an AI to accelerate systematic reviews? If so, apply for this PhD position This position is part of the bigger project "Transparent and Reproducible AI-aided Systematic...

  • PhD Position: Optimal Models for AI-Assisted Systematic Review

    4 weken geleden

    Utrecht, Utrecht, Nederland Utrecht University Voltijd

    Do you want to equip the social sciences for the looming AI revolution in academic literature exploration by investigating the best AI model for ASReview? If so, apply for this PhD position This position is part of the bigger project "Transparent and Reproducible AI-aided Systematic Reviewing for the Social Sciences (TRASS)".Wat ga je doen?The rapidly...

  • PhD Position: Optimal Models for AI-Assisted Systematic Review

    2 maanden geleden

    Utrecht, Utrecht, Nederland Utrecht University Voltijd

    Do you want to equip the social sciences for the looming AI revolution in academic literature exploration by investigating the best AI model for ASReview? If so, apply for this PhD position This position is part of the bigger project "Transparent and Reproducible AI-aided Systematic Reviewing for the Social Sciences (TRASS)".Wat ga je doen?The rapidly...

  • 2 Phd Positions in Literary and Cultural Studies:

    2 weken geleden

    Utrecht, Utrecht, Nederland Universiteit Utrecht Voltijd

    Your job:Position 1:Poetics of Eco-violence:This subproject will contribute to recent scholarship on eco-poetics by exploring the aesthetic, political, and affective affordances of literature, specifically poetry, for representing eco-violence, past and ongoing. Special attention will be paid to how contemporary poets are reimagining genres and poetic...

  • PhD Position: Understanding Human Biases During AI-aided Systematic Reviewing

    2 weken geleden

    Utrecht, Utrecht, Nederland Sticky Voltijd

    Faculty or Service: Faculty of Social SciencesDepartment: Department of Social SciencesHours per week: 36 to 40Deadline for response: June 1, 2024 Do you want to understand how and why humans interact with an AI to accelerate systematic reviews? If so, apply for this PhD position This position is part of the bigger project "Transparent and Reproducible...

  • Phd Position in Mathematics of Spatial Networks

    2 weken geleden

    Utrecht, Utrecht, Nederland Universiteit Utrecht Voltijd

    Your job:In recent years, there has been a significant surge of interest in networks, which now play a fundamental role in modern science and society. The network-like structures are widely discussed, from cosmology and communication to economics and ecology. Even at the nanoscale, in materials science, they may offer potential theoretical explanations for...

  • PhD position: Exploring microbial potential for PFAS transformations

    2 weken geleden

    Utrecht, Utrecht, Nederland Universiteit Utrecht Voltijd

    Join our innovative team developing sustainable solutions for environmental decontamination. Help tap into the microbial power for PFAS cleanup.PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are so-called ''forever chemicals'' that are found everywhere: in our soils, water, food and bodies. PFAS contamination of soils is an increasingly important global issue,...

  • PhD Position: Molecular Mechanisms of Protein Biogenesis

    2 weken geleden

    Utrecht, Utrecht, Nederland Universiteit Utrecht Voltijd

    Dissect protein synthesis, protein folding and chaperone function with cutting-edge single-molecule approaches Are you curious about how cells produce functional proteins? Do you want to push the envelope of applying single-molecule techniques to complex macromolecular systems? Join our single-molecule lab to study co-translational folding and chaperone...

  • Phd Position in Developmental Biology

    2 weken geleden

    Utrecht, Utrecht, Nederland Universiteit Utrecht Voltijd

    Your job:Cell polarity - the asymmetric distribution of components and functions within a cell along a directional axis - is a fundamental property of cells that is present across the kingdoms of life. Most cells need to distribute proteins, organelles, and functions along an axis of polarity in order to carry out their specialised functions and organise the...

  • PhD: Assessing Sub-daily Carbon and Water Exchange in the Amazon

    2 weken geleden

    Utrecht, Utrecht, Nederland Universiteit Utrecht Voltijd

    Interested in exploring how satellite-based measurements can provide insight into the dynamics of carbon and water exchange in the Amazon forest?The Amazon is a crucial ecosystem for carbon and water cycling. Due to climate change, the Amazon is undergoing transitions, facing more frequent droughts and absorbing less carbon from the atmosphere. Monitoring...

  • Phd in Ethics

    2 weken geleden

    Utrecht, Utrecht, Nederland Universiteit Utrecht Voltijd

    The Ethics Institute of Utrecht University's department of Philosophy and Religious Studies seeks a researcher for a four-year, full-time PhD project "_Disrupting ageing_: Personhood, meaning, and vulnerability across the lifespan_", as part of the inter-university Gravitation consortium _Ethics of Socially Disruptive Technology (ESDiT)_.Your job:The ageing...

  • Phd Position in Biofabrication and Bioprinting for

    2 weken geleden

    Utrecht, Utrecht, Nederland UMC Utrecht Voltijd

    We are seeking an ambitious PhD student for our multidisciplinary team to build new technological solutions for developmental biology and preclinical research. You will develop bioprinted tissues to generate and expand hematopoietic stem cells.Elke dag de zorg en de gezondheid van mensen verbeterenGoede arbeidsvoorwaardenJezelf continu blijven ontwikkelen...

  • Senior Energy Transition Advisor

    2 weken geleden

    Utrecht, Utrecht, Nederland Searchsoftware Voltijd

    Picture a world where clean energy isn't just a dream, but a thriving reality. Big changes are happening and by the end of this decade, the global energy scene will look very different. Tell me more...We're talking fewer emissions, more sustainable practices, and a planet that's breathing a little easier.From scientists and engineers to everyday folks like...

  • PhD in Ethics

    2 weken geleden

    Utrecht, Utrecht, Nederland Universiteit Utrecht Voltijd

    In this position you will join the "Disrupting ageing: Personhood, meaning, and vulnerability across the lifespan" project. Something for you? Apply nowThe Ethics Institute of Utrecht University's department of Philosophy and Religious Studies seeks a researcher for a four-year, full-time PhD project "Disrupting ageing: Personhood, meaning, and vulnerability...