Vacancy
PhD vacancy: Circular Practices to prevent single-use material consumption in Hospitals
Your job
For an NWA-funded research project on circularity in hospitals we are looking for a motivated PhD candidate by October 1, 2024.
The aim of the research project, within which your PhD research takes place, is to accelerate the adoption of circular interventions in hospitals, reducing the carbon, material extraction and the waste ecological footprint of the healthcare sector.
The NWA project ESCH-R provides knowledge and action perspectives that promote circularity in hospitals. We investigate the current material use practices on the hospital floor and aim to arrive at workable solutions for a circular hospital through co-creation with employees and other actors. The ESCH-R project is carried out by a large consortium (over 30 people) from various universities in collaboration with hospitals, industrial and civil society partners. The project is divided into 6 work packages, where you will be one of the 2 PhD candidates in work package 3, entitled “How we Act”.
In this work package we investigate: (i) how protocols in hospitals lead to unsustainable material use in ICU units and operating theatres; (ii) current working practices of hospital professionals in these units; (iii) drivers for sustainable behaviour; and (iv) testing and evaluating interventions in ICU units and operating theatres. In this PhD track, the focus is on the investigation of (institutionalized and implemented) practices around single-use material use in the workplace (steps i and ii). A PhD candidate at Erasmus University will particularly focus on the behavioural interventions (iii and iv). The fieldwork is mainly qualitative in nature: participatory observation in hospitals, semi-structured interviews, focus-groups and co-creation sessions. Strong input is expected from the candidates in helping to organize their own PhD research in the context of the ESCH-R project.
In addition to your research (deepening), you will have the opportunity to join other consortium activities (broadening), such as discussions with hospitals, industrial partners, peer review and annual symposia. You can also develop in teaching. You will be working in a sector that is very much on the move and where there is a lot of motivation to become more sustainable. A unique opportunity to lead in the sustainability of the healthcare sector, both scientifically and in practice.
You will work here
The PhD research will be conducted within Wageningen Centre for Sustainability Governance at Wageningen University & Research (WUR). Supervision is in the hands of scientific staff at the Chair Group Environmental Policy (Dr. Bas van Vliet, Dr. Judith van Leeuwen, Prof. Dr. Arthur Mol). The Environmental Policy Chair Group develops theories that analyze the role of environmental and sustainability considerations in societal transformations and focus on the design of sustainable interventions at different scales. The group has built a strong international position in interdisciplinary research on sustainable social practices, technology development and circularity.
Your qualities
You have:
- An MSc degree in the social sciences (sociology, political science, anthropology) or an MSc degree in environmental or climate sciences with a social science major;
- A strong ambition to acquire and generate scientific knowledge in the field of circularity, behaviour and organization in a medical environment, and to strengthen academic skills;
- Demonstrated knowledge of and experience with both Social Practice Theory and circularity;
- Experience with qualitative methods such as interviews, co-creation, participatory observation;
- Excellent organization, planning and communication skills;
- Strong willingness to collaborate with social, academic and medical partners (hospitals (from nurses, and surgeons to procurement and waste managers), PhD and project staff at UMC Utrecht, Erasmus University, governments, medical equipment and facility suppliers, community organizations);
- Proven scientific writing skills in English. Dutch level B1 or B2 is recommended.
We offer you
Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment. A few highlights from our Collective Labour Agreement include:
- partially paid parental leave;
- working hours that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow for the best possible work-life balance;
- the option to accrue additional compensation / holiday hours by working more, up to 40 hours per week;
- there is a strong focus on vitality and you can make use of the sports facilities available on campus for a small fee;
- a fixed December bonus of 8.3%;
- excellent pension scheme.
The gross salary for the first year is € 2.770 - per month rising to € 3.539,- in the fourth year in according to the Collective Labour Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU) (scale P). This is based on a full-time working week of 38 hours. We offer a temporary contract for 18 months which will be extended for the duration of the project if you perform well.
There are plenty of options for personal initiative in a learning environment, and we provide excellent training opportunities. We are offering a unique position in an international environment with a pleasant and open working atmosphere.
You are going to work at the greenest and most innovative campus in Holland, and at a university that has been chosen as the “Best University” in the Netherlands for the 19th consecutive time.
Coming from abroad
Wageningen University & Research is the university and research centre for life sciences. The themes we deal with are relevant to everyone around the world and Wageningen, therefore, has a large international community and a lot to offer to international employees.
Because we expect you to work and live in the Netherlands our team of advisors on Dutch immigration procedures will help you with the visa application procedures for yourself and, if applicable, for your family.
Feeling welcome also has everything to do with being well informed. We can assist you with any additional advice and information about for example helping your partner to find a job, housing, or schooling. Finally, certain categories of international staff may be eligible for a tax exemption on a part of their salary during the first five years in the Netherlands.
Do you want more information?
For more information about this position and the ESH-R project, please contact Dr. Bas van Vliet, bas.vanvliet@wur.nl
For more information about the procedure, please contact Noorien Abbas, corporate recruiter, recruitment.ssg@wur.nl
Do you want to apply?
You can apply directly using the apply button on the vacancy page on our website which will allow us to process your personal information with your approval.
This vacancy will be listed up to and including 2 September 2024. We hope to schedule the first job interviews in early September 2024.
Equal opportunities
Wageningen University & Research (WUR) employs a large number of people with very different backgrounds and qualities, who inspire and motivate each other. We want every talent to feel at home in our organisation and be offered the same career opportunities. We therefore especially welcome applications from people who are underrepresented at WUR. A good example of how WUR deals with inclusiveness can be read on the page working at WUR with a functional impairment.
We are
The mission of Wageningen University & Research is “To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life”. Under the banner Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen University and the specialised research institutes of the Wageningen Research Foundation have joined forces in contributing to finding solutions to important questions in the domain of healthy food and living environment. With its roughly 30 branches, 7,600 employees (6,700 fte) and 13,100 students and over 150,000 participants to WUR’s Life Long Learning, Wageningen University & Research is one of the leading organisations in its domain. The unique Wageningen approach lies in its integrated approach to issues and the collaboration between different disciplines.
Read the 5 reasons why your future colleagues enjoy working at WUR and watch the video below to get an idea of our green campus!
We will recruit for the vacancy ourselves, so no employment agencies please. However, sharing in your network is appreciated.