The knowledge politics of Artificial Intelligence in energy governance

Your job

Do you want to lead innovative social science research that contributes to the understanding and use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in global energy and climate assessment? Are you eager to explore how key actors are developing agendas and infrastructures on AI that will shape policy planning? Then this PhD opportunity may be for you!

The Environmental Policy Group at Wageningen University is seeking a highly motivated PhD candidate to explore the emerging role of AI in the assessment and governance of energy and climate change. Interest is escalating on purported AI capacities in sensoring, data-gathering, simulation, and forecasting for policy planning. This can range from the design and control of buildings and energy grids, to ‘Digital Twins’ of complex technological, societal, and environmental systems. Rather than focus on technical applications and advancements; we seek to expose contestations and politics surrounding emerging, disruptive AI applications in energy and climate governance - across scientific, innovation, civic, and governmental sectors.

As a PhD, you will conduct research that involves:

• exploring how authoritative knowledge is constructed on AI applications deemed to be particularly significant and disruptive in energy and climate policy planning;
• mapping actors, agendas/discourses/visions, institutions, and material infrastructures for AI in these spaces;
• anticipating first-mover implications for key actors and material infrastructures;
• anticipating implications and path-dependencies for national to global planning of (equitable) distributions of energy, technology, finance, and/or socio-environmental impact;
• networking and attending learning events to co-create research insights and foster collaboration;
• producing academic publications and a PhD thesis.

You will work here
The research is embedded within the chair Environmental Policy. You will be co-supervised by Dr. Sean Low and dr. Paulan Korenhof.

Your qualities

You have:

• a strong social science background, including a high interest/aptitude for conducting analysis of issues in the confluence between emerging digital technologies and global energy and/or climate governance;
• a high interest in collaborative and socially focused research, and an ability to interact effectively with diverse stakeholders (e.g. academic, innovation, societal, and governmental);
• a scientific ambition to conduct and publish research work, contributing to academic scholarship in the field;
• curiosity and motivation to address important real-world problems through rigorous academic inquiry.

You also possess:

• a Master’s degree in a field relevant to technology, energy, and/or environmental social sciences, including philosophy, political science, sociology, human geography, anthropology, history, science and technology studies, or other relevant social science disciplines;
• strong qualitative research skills, preferably with experience in conducting interviews and participant observation;
• fluency in English to conduct academic research and effectively engage with a global range stakeholders and communities.

For this position your command of the English language is expected to be at C1 level. Sometimes it is necessary to submit an internationally recognised Certificate of Proficiency in the English Language. More information can be found here.

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;
• 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.

In addition to these first-rate employee benefits, you will receive a fully funded PhD position and you will be offered a course program tailored to your needs and the research team.

The gross salary for the first year is €2.901 month rising to €3.707,-  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, please contact Paulan Korenhof, assistant professor, +310625163322 or by e-mail: paulan.korenhof@wur.nl.

For more information about the procedure, please contact Noorien Abbas ,by email: 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 20 January 2025. We hope to schedule the first job interviews in the second week of February 2025.

Welcome, safe, and valued
Wageningen University & Research (WUR) highly values diversity and inclusion because we believe that different insights lead to innovative solutions. We create a work environment where everyone feels welcome, safe, and appreciated, regardless of background, identity, or experience. Together, we are building a culture where everyone's unique contribution adds to the success of our organization.

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.