PhD scholarship in Sustainable Energy Transitions in Developing CountriesThe Centre on Energy, Climate and Sustainable Development, part of the UNEP DTU Partnership, invites applications for a PhD research project focused on sustainable energy transitions in developing countries Over the past 25 years, the Centre on Climate, Energy and Sustainable development of the UNEP DTU Partnership (formerly UNEP Risoe Centre) (www.unepdtu.org) has become a leading international research and advisory hub on energy, climate and sustainable Development.

The Partnership is an integrated part of the Department of Management Engineering at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU). The Centre works in close partnership with the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) and has project activities in more than 50 developing countries. The Centre collaborates with a large number of national and international government and research institutions, especially in developing countries.

Background
There are various factors driving a transition to more ‘green’ energy systems, using technologies that harness local renewable and/or low-carbon sources of energy as a means to increase energy access and sustain economic growth. While these transitions are taking place in some countries, it is far from being a uniform process and the precise mechanisms of change are often not clearly understood and therefore replicable. This requires field research to be undertaken on a specific technology in one or possibly two case study countries, preferably in Africa or Asia. We are looking to conduct a PhD project that focuses on medium and large-scale technologies, such as utility-size solar power, grid-connected biomass power plants (including cogeneration) or hydro-power plants, though there is scope to consider small-scale technologies, such as solar home systems. The research could involve case studies of specific donor interventions, firm and industry-level processes, and government reform initiatives.

Project aims
This research project will focus on the overall topic of low-carbon energy innovation in developing countries with a specific focus on the role and influence of Government, the private sector and donor agencies. The broad aim will be to provide an improved understanding of the interface between the State, markets and donors as they relate to the development and uptake of low-carbon energy technologies.

Research methodology
The project will pursue an interdisciplinary analytical framework combining different theoretical perspectives as well as methodological approaches. One option is to situate this research within the innovation system literature on socio-technical transitions, which includes the multilevel perspective, strategic niche management and technological innovation systems. Another option is to follow the economic geography literature, focusing on spatial aspects of innovation and transitions, and/or political ecology, which is concerned with exploring issues of power relations, political struggle, actor contestation, knowledge and discourse.

Research methods should preferably be in the form of qualitative (primary) data collection and analysis, as a complement to desk-based literature reviews and quantitative (secondary) data collection. The research should be solidly grounded in a prolonged period of in-depth, empirical field research. The final thesis will be structured and presented as four academic articles, in addition to an analytical overview/synthesis explaining the theoretical framework and research methods. 

Qualifications
Candidates should have a Master’s degree in a relevant social science discipline (for example economics, development studies, human geography, international business and management, political science, innovation studies, philosophy), ideally with a focus or component on sustainable energy and climate change mitigation and/or business and innovation studies. Strong oral and written English communication skills are essential. Knowledge of another major European language is desirable but not necessary, as is prior experience with working in a developing country.

Candidates will be expected to demonstrate the ability to work independently, to plan and carry out independent research, including field work in developing countries. Candidates are expected to have a high degree of self-motivation, leading their research project with the support of two co-supervisors.

Project environment and research Group
The successful candidate will join an international team of about 65 professionals in an interdisciplinary work environment, with a broad portfolio of activities and an extensive network of professional contacts to research and government institutions in developing countries as well as the UN system. 

Approval and Enrolment
The scholarships for the PhD degree is subject to academic approval and the candidate will be enrolled in one of the general Ph.D. programmes of DTU. For information about the general requirements for enrolment and the general planning of the scholarship studies, please see the DTU PhD Guide.  

Assessment 
The PhD student will be selected through a competitive application process. Online applications will be screened against a set of criteria and a shortlist of candidates will be invited to an interview and to present their project proposals (via skype if based abroad). The assessment process and final selection will be made by the project supervisors. 

Salary and appointment terms
The salary and appointment terms are consistent with the current rules for PhD degree students. The period of employment is 3 years. The place of employment is the Centre on Energy, Climate and Sustainable Development of the UNEP DTU Partnership, located at the new UN City in Copenhagen. 

Further information
The project supervisors, James Haselip (jhas@dtu.dk) and Ulrich Elmer Hansen (uleh@dtu.dk) can be contacted directly to answer any specific questions. 

Candidates may apply prior to obtaining their master's degree, but cannot begin before having received it. The aim is to start the study in January 2016. 

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, disability, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.

(see also http://www.man.dtu.dk/Om-instituttet/Ledige-stillinger/job?id=dc8baefc-c05f-4aa5-ab00-cebd11209285).

Eindhoven University of Technology
School of Innovation Sciences: Technology, Innovation & Society Group

has a vacancy for a
Postdoctoral Fellow “Developing and Implementing Smart Grids in India”-
0,7 fte, 4 years

Vacancy ID: V39.2368

Starting date: December 1st, 2015

This position is embedded within a project funded by NWO under the call “Social Responsible Innovation”. The Postdoc will work with Prof. Geert Verbong and Dr. Johanna Höffken.

The hosting department
The Technology, Innovation and Society (TIS) group of the School of Innovation Sciences focuses on the transition towards a sustainable society. Sustainability is conceived as a broad notion that includes environmental, economic, social, ethical, institutional and cultural aspects. The analysis of long-term structural changes in society towards sustainability and of interventions in these long-term processes (including the design of tools for policy and collective decision making), are the key issues in research and teaching of the TIS group. A key concern, especially in this vacancy, is to apply and further develop social practice theory to analyze emerging sustainability practices. Another concern is to apply knowledge gained during research directly to practice.
The interdisciplinary TIS group is an internationally known, thriving research group that aims to tackle key sustainability challenges. TIS partners with research networks such as the STRN or WTMC. Within the TIS group you will work with friendly and highly motivated colleagues, which embeds your research career in a stimulating professional atmosphere.

Description of the project
The Postdoctoral researcher will be employed in the context of the project “Developing and Implementing Smart Grids in India”. Successful smart grid development is not simply a matter of getting the technology right: social embedding, ethical acceptability and institutional support are at least as important. This project sets out to answer the overall research question: How can smart grids be successfully developed and implemented in rural India? This question is addressed by closely studying, informing and adjusting the actual process of developing and implementing smart grids on a local scale. In an iterative process the project will define, develop and test prototypes that enable a smart exchange of electricity in rural India. Research will proceed through an interdisciplinary collaboration between scientists, businesses and societal stakeholders.

Tasks
The postdoctoral fellow will -in close cooperation with the project partners- carefully study routines and actions related to smart grid implementation in the specific local settings in rural India. This will provide empirical insights into engagement and implementation approaches as well as user practices and values related to smart grid technology.
She/he will publish the results via conference contributions and papers in international peer-reviewed journals. The position includes the active involvement in the teaching curriculum of the TIS group, including supervision of student projects on the BSc and MSc level.

Requirements

Minimum qualifications for this position are a PhD or expected PhD in relevant social sciences ( e.g. Science, Technology and Society studies (STS); Transition Studies; Innovation Studies or human geography). Knowledge of the Indian (energy) context and/or research experience with sustainability issues is highly recommended.

Qualitative research methods will be applied, including field trips to India, interviews, focus groups, participative observation. In addition, an open mind, a “hands-on” /solution-oriented attitude, and the ability to communicate and collaborate across disciplinary boundaries is essential. Fluency in English is required.


Conditions of employment
We offer:
•         a challenging postdoctoral appointment for a period of 4 years in a dynamic and ambitious university;
•         a gross monthly salary between € 2977,- and € 3908,- per month (on a full-time basis), depending on experience and knowledge; the position foresees 0,7 fte.
•         a yearly holiday allowance of 8% of the yearly salary;
•         an annual end-of-year allowance of 8.3% of the annual salary;
•         a broad package of fringe benefits (including an excellent technical infrastructure, moving expenses, savings schemes, and excellent sports facilities).




Information
More information about the TIS group can be found https://www.tue.nl/en/university/departments/industrial-engineering-innovation-sciences/research/research-groups/technology-innovation-society/. For further information about this position, please contact Johanna Höffken, j.i.hoffken@tue.nl<mailto:j.i.hoffken@tue.nl>.

Information about terms of employment can be obtained from Mrs. Jolanda van der Sande, personnel officer (pz.ieis@tue.nl<mailto:pz.ieis@tue.nl>). Further information about the Eindhoven University of Technology can be found at www.tue.nl<http://www.tue.nl>.

Application
Your application must contain the following documents (all in English):
·         Cover letter (2 page max.), where you motivate your interest in this vacancy and explicitly explain in which ways you represent a good match;
·         An extensive curriculum vitae including a publication list;
·         Copies of relevant (working) papers;
·         Name and contact information of two references;


Please note that a maximum of 5 documents can be uploaded. We invite you to apply at your earliest convenience, but no later than 31 Oct 2015. You can send us your application through the online job portal of the TU/e: http://jobs.tue.nl/en/vacancies.html or by clicking here<http://jobs.tue.nl/en/vacancy/postdoctoral-fellow-quotdeveloping-and-implementing-smart-grids-in-indiaquot-230901.html>. Applications per email are not accepted.

Link to job announcement:
http://jobs.tue.nl/en/vacancy/postdoctoral-fellow-quotdeveloping-and-implementing-smart-grids-in-indiaquot-230901.html
​

Please forward this PhD vacancy to potential candidates.

http://uio.easycruit.com/vacancy/1481204/65773?iso=no

The PhD position is situated within a research project entitled "Integration
of Power Transmission Grids (InGrid) - Prospects and Challenges at National
and European Levels in advancing the energy transition". See
http://www.sv.uio.no/tik/english/research/projects/ingrid/   

Thanks very much in advance.

Best regards,  
Allan Dahl Andersen

*********************
Postdoc Fellow in Innovation Studies 
Centre for Technology,
Innovation and Culture (TIK) 
University of Oslo, Norway
+47-22841615

3 PhD positions on The Origins of Breakthrough Inventions   [deadline for applications: 30 September 2015]

Job description

The 3 PhD-projects are part of the NWO-VICI grant “The Genealogy of Novelty: An evolutionary explanation of breakthrough inventions in science, technology, and the arts” and aim to analyze the personal, institutional and geographical conditions supportive of breakthrough inventions. One student will look at personal biographies of inventive individuals in science, business and the arts. A second student will reconstruct technological breakthroughs using empirical data on product characteristics characteristics. The third student will look at citations patterns among documents describing inventions such as patents, publications and art reviews. The guiding idea of the project holds that breakthrough inventions stem from diversity, because diversity allows for recombination of dissimilar items leading to radically new items. Diversity measures will be derived using genealogical data and analyzed using network analysis, where genealogies can be reconstructed from biographies (PhD student 1), product characteristics (PhD student 2) or, citation patterns (PhD student 3).

 

For all three project large databases are already available, which can be extended by the applicant. In each project, quantitative research can be combined with qualitative research. Students are also encouraged to come up with own theories or methodologies to extend the original framework. Travel grants allow applicants to go abroad to partner institutes including the MIT Media Lab, University College London and Lund University. Collaboration with Philips’ IP department or with government bodies is also possible. Candidates will become part of the Innovation Studies group of the Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development at Utrecht University. Professor Koen Frenken will act as supervisor.

Requirements

We seek highly motivated candidates with a MSc degree in innovation studies, economics, management, geography, history, sociology, science & technologies studies, or a related discipline. We are looking for candidates who:

·         have knowledge about theories of innovation;

·         have affinity with, or willingness to learn about, evolutionary theorizing;

·         have a background in quantitative methodologies;

·         are proficient in English;

·         have excellent scientific writing and planning skills.

 

All PhD students can spend the vast majority of their time on the research project; only 10% of their time will be spent on teaching, and supervision of (under)graduate research projects. Each project can start sometime between 1 November 2015 and 1 September 2016.

Conditions of employment

The successful candidate will be offered a full-time PhD position, initially for one year. Upon good performance, the contract will be extended for three more years. Employment conditions are based on the Collective Labour Agreement of the Dutch Universities. Based on the experience and qualifications of the candidate, the gross monthly salary is between € 2,125.- and € 2,717.- (PhD salary scale) on a fulltime basis. The salary is supplemented by a holiday allowance of 8% per year and an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%.We offer a pension scheme, collective insurance schemes and flexible employment conditions (multiple choice model). Facilities for sports and child care are available on our campus, which is only fifteen minutes away from the historical city center of Utrecht. For more information visit Working at Utrecht University. 

Additional information

Additional information about the PhD projects can be obtained by contacting prof. dr. Koen Frenken:k.frenken@uu.nl

 

Job posting: Research Fellow in Systemic Approaches to Low Carbon Transitions

Closing Date: Thursday, October 15, 2015

The Centre for Climate Change Economics and Policy (CCCEP), which brings together some of the world's leading interdisciplinary researchers on climate change economics and policy, is funding this Research Fellow position at the University of Leeds. The research will undertake a systemic, co-evolutionary analysis of low-carbon innovation, combining historical insights, case studies of current best practice, and future implications. The scope includes both demand-side and supply-side options, in order to estimate how rapidly a low carbon transition can be achieved, while taking into account barriers to change, alongside potential social and economic benefits. The aim is to synthesize this analysis into a quantitative framework intended to test potential policy changes, and thus provide policy guidance.

You will be based at the University of Leeds and join a research team led by Dr Julia Steinberger and Professor Peter Taylor in SRI at the University of Leeds and Professor Tim Foxon in the Science Policy Research Unit (SPRU) at the University of Sussex, who all have experience in applied and policy relevant research in the fields of energy and climate mitigation.

More information: https://jobs.leeds.ac.uk/vacancy.aspx?ref=ENVEE1079

Dr Tim Foxon,

Reader in Sustainability and Innovation, 

Sustainability Research Institute, 

School of Earth and Environment, 

University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, U.K.