We are seeking a Postdoctoral Fellow in Planetary Politics to join the Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development at Utrecht University. This role offers a unique opportunity to shape a new academic initiative at the intersection of sustainability science, political science, law, ethics, governance, and planetary change.

The Role

You will collaborate closely with Professor Frank Biermann, Associate Professor Rakhyun E. Kim, and other colleagues to develop the Planetary Politics initiative. Your responsibilities will include academic coordination, network-building, fundraising, and research support, with a focus on fostering an interdisciplinary research community.

Responsibilities

• Develop and coordinate the Planetary Politics initiative at Utrecht University.
• Build and maintain connections with researchers across various disciplines.
• Support collaboration with external partners such as Wageningen University & Research and Eindhoven University of Technology.
• Organize academic events like workshops, seminars, and public lectures.
• Identify opportunities for new collaborations and interdisciplinary research activities.
• Contribute intellectually to the development of planetary politics as a research agenda.
• Support communication and visibility for the initiative through various materials.
• Work proactively with colleagues to translate ideas into concrete activities and collaborations.

Requirements

• A PhD in political science, international relations, public administration, law, governance studies, sustainability science, environmental social science, ethics, science and technology studies, geography, sociology, or a related field.
• Strong organizational and coordination skills, with the ability to manage events and collaborative processes.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to engage with diverse researchers.
• A proactive, reliable, and collegial working style.
• Excellent written and spoken English.
• Ability to work independently while actively contributing to a team.
• Availability to work on campus in Utrecht, as regular engagement with colleagues and partners is essential.

Nice to Have

• Research experience in areas related to planetary politics, such as Earth system governance, global environmental politics, or climate governance.
• Experience organizing academic events and collaborative research activities.
• Familiarity with interdisciplinary collaboration across various fields.
• Experience in developing research proposals and communication materials.
• An emerging publication record relevant to the position.
• Familiarity with Dutch or European academic and policy networks in sustainability or governance.

We are particularly interested in candidates who can connect people, ideas, and institutions and are excited to contribute to a new research agenda.

What We Offer

• A 0.5 FTE position for 18 months.
• A gross monthly salary between €3,546 and €5,538 for full-time employment (salary scale 10 under the CAO NU).
• 8% holiday pay and an 8.3% year-end bonus.
• A pension scheme, partially paid parental leave, and flexible employment terms.
• Opportunities for professional development and various employee benefits.

About Us

At Utrecht University, we strive for a better future for everyone through leading research and inspiring teaching. Our Faculty of Geosciences focuses on sustainability and innovation, studying the Earth from various perspectives. We are committed to creating a safe and inclusive environment for all staff.

For more information about this position, please contact Frank Biermann at f.biermann@uu.nl or Rak Kim at r.kim@uu.nl. To apply, please send your CV and a letter of motivation via the ‘apply now’ button.