PhD: Governance, contestation and justice in the Dutch green hydrogen transition
We are looking for an ambitious colleague to further strengthen our group with a focus on transitions and transformations, directionality and justice.
At the Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development (https://www.uu.nl/en/research/copernicus-institute-of-sustainable-development) at Utrecht University, we have an exciting four-year PhD position available. The transformation towards a net-zero society in 2050 requires the decarbonization of industry. One of the potential pathways concerns green hydrogen. The Dutch government aims to achieve 4 GW of electrolysis potential for green hydrogen by 2030.
Your job
Thus far, progress on achieving this non-binding target is slow, and the various techno-economic challenges are well-known. Yet, the social and institutional dimensions of the green hydrogen transition remain largely understudied. In particular, limited attention has been paid to how this transition is governed, by and with whom, and under what conditions tensions, contestations, and questions of (in)justice may emerge.
We are looking for an enthusiastic and ambitious colleague to further strengthen our group with a focus on transitions and transformations, directionality and justice. The PhD candidate will be positioned at the Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development and embedded within two sections: Innovation Studies and Energy & Resources. The PhD project will be supervised by Prof. Dr Koen Frenken, Dr Iris Wanzenböck and Dr Sanne Akerboom.
This PhD project is part of a large consortium investigating conditions and measures contributing to the social acceptability of green hydrogen. In this PhD project, specifically the role of the Dutch government in shaping and steering the pathway(s) towards green hydrogen will be critically investigated, with particular attention to how these efforts can or should contribute to a just green hydrogen transition. Key concerns include how societal demands, policy priorities, technologies and solutions are co-constructed through interactions between policy, industry and society; which pathways are promoted, by whom, and how particular problem framings and solutions are shaped to contribute to what is seen as desirable and legitimate innovation policy to transformative change.
Such processes may result in new forms of injustices or exacerbate existing ones, highlighting the need to better understand emerging injustices within the green hydrogen transition. Addressing these questions provides critical insights into the co-evolution of technology, policy, and society and the extent to which it can support the decarbonization of society.
Your qualities
You Are Our Ideal Candidate If You
Our offer
We Offer
About Us
A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University (https://www.uu.nl/en), the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major strategic themes (https://www.uu.nl/en/research/profile/strategic-themes). Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Pathways to Sustainability. Sharing science, shaping tomorrow (https://youtu.be/yHkvpRYVPiA).
Utrecht University’s Faculty of Geosciences (https://www.uu.nl/en/organisation/faculty-of-geosciences) studies the Earth: from the Earth’s core to its surface, including man’s spatial and material utilisation of the Earth – always with a focus on sustainability and innovation. With 3,400 students (BSc and MSc) and 720 staff, the faculty is a strong and challenging organisation. The Faculty of Geosciences is organised in four Departments: Earth Sciences, Human Geography & Spatial Planning, Physical Geography, and Sustainable Development.
More information
For more information about this position, please contact Dr Iris Wanzenböck (https://www.uu.nl/staff/IWanzenbock) at i.wanzenbock@uu.nl (mailto:i.wanzenbock@uu.nl) or Dr Sanne Akerboom (https://www.uu.nl/staff/SAkerboom) at s.akerboom@uu.nl (mailto:s.akerboom@uu.nl)
Apply now
As Utrecht University, we want to be a home (https://www.uu.nl/en/organisation/equality-diversity-inclusion) for everyone. We value staff with diverse backgrounds, perspectives and identities, including cultural, religious or ethnic background, gender, sexual orientation, disability or age. We strive to create a safe and inclusive environment in which everyone can flourish and contribute.
Knowledge security screening can be part of the selection procedures of academic staff. We do this, among other things, to prevent the unwanted transfer of sensitive knowledge and technology.
To apply, please send your curriculum vitae, including a letter of motivation via the 'apply now' button.
For shortlisted candidates, first-round interviews for this PhD position will be held during 1, 2 and 3 April 2026, with possible second-round interviews during 9 and 10 April 2026.
If you have an international (non-Dutch) Master’s diploma, you will be requested to provide your Bachelor’s and Master’s diplomas as well as the corresponding grade lists (in English) if you are selected for this position.
Note that international candidates that need a visa/work permit for the Netherlands require at least four months processing time after selection and acceptance. This will be arranged with help of the International Service Desk (ISD) (https://www.uu.nl/en/organisation/international-staff-and-guests/international-service-desk) of our university. Finding appropriate housing in or near Utrecht is your own responsibility, but the ISD may be able to advise you therewith. Unfortunately, we must warn that it is a tight market at the moment. In case of general questions about working and living in The Netherlands, please consult the Dutch Mobility Portal (http://www.euraxess.nl/).
At the Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development (https://www.uu.nl/en/research/copernicus-institute-of-sustainable-development) at Utrecht University, we have an exciting four-year PhD position available. The transformation towards a net-zero society in 2050 requires the decarbonization of industry. One of the potential pathways concerns green hydrogen. The Dutch government aims to achieve 4 GW of electrolysis potential for green hydrogen by 2030.
Your job
Thus far, progress on achieving this non-binding target is slow, and the various techno-economic challenges are well-known. Yet, the social and institutional dimensions of the green hydrogen transition remain largely understudied. In particular, limited attention has been paid to how this transition is governed, by and with whom, and under what conditions tensions, contestations, and questions of (in)justice may emerge.
We are looking for an enthusiastic and ambitious colleague to further strengthen our group with a focus on transitions and transformations, directionality and justice. The PhD candidate will be positioned at the Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development and embedded within two sections: Innovation Studies and Energy & Resources. The PhD project will be supervised by Prof. Dr Koen Frenken, Dr Iris Wanzenböck and Dr Sanne Akerboom.
This PhD project is part of a large consortium investigating conditions and measures contributing to the social acceptability of green hydrogen. In this PhD project, specifically the role of the Dutch government in shaping and steering the pathway(s) towards green hydrogen will be critically investigated, with particular attention to how these efforts can or should contribute to a just green hydrogen transition. Key concerns include how societal demands, policy priorities, technologies and solutions are co-constructed through interactions between policy, industry and society; which pathways are promoted, by whom, and how particular problem framings and solutions are shaped to contribute to what is seen as desirable and legitimate innovation policy to transformative change.
Such processes may result in new forms of injustices or exacerbate existing ones, highlighting the need to better understand emerging injustices within the green hydrogen transition. Addressing these questions provides critical insights into the co-evolution of technology, policy, and society and the extent to which it can support the decarbonization of society.
Your qualities
You Are Our Ideal Candidate If You
- have a MSc or MA in public administration, political science, governance, science and technology studies, or innovation studies, or in a relevant subject area;
- have a good understanding of societal challenges, in particular climate change, sustainability transitions, and has affinity with the energy transition and/or just transition;
- are interested in exploring the interactions of technology, policy and society from a social science perspective.
- have experience with empirical qualitative research and is enthusiastic about working in an interdisciplinary team;
- have good social and communication skills, a willingness to interact with a wide range of stakeholders;
- have an interest in academic teaching;
- can demonstrate English language proficiency (https://www.coe.int/en/web/common-european-framework-reference-languages/table-1-cefr-3.3-common-reference-levels-global-scale);
- are interested in scientific/academic research and obtaining a PhD degree;
- can work independently;
- look forward to being in the driving seat of a 4-year research project.
Our offer
We Offer
- a position for 1 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 working week of 32 - 40 hours and a gross monthly salary between € 3.059 and €3.881 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% year-end bonus;
- a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU.
About Us
A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University (https://www.uu.nl/en), the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major strategic themes (https://www.uu.nl/en/research/profile/strategic-themes). Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Pathways to Sustainability. Sharing science, shaping tomorrow (https://youtu.be/yHkvpRYVPiA).
Utrecht University’s Faculty of Geosciences (https://www.uu.nl/en/organisation/faculty-of-geosciences) studies the Earth: from the Earth’s core to its surface, including man’s spatial and material utilisation of the Earth – always with a focus on sustainability and innovation. With 3,400 students (BSc and MSc) and 720 staff, the faculty is a strong and challenging organisation. The Faculty of Geosciences is organised in four Departments: Earth Sciences, Human Geography & Spatial Planning, Physical Geography, and Sustainable Development.
More information
For more information about this position, please contact Dr Iris Wanzenböck (https://www.uu.nl/staff/IWanzenbock) at i.wanzenbock@uu.nl (mailto:i.wanzenbock@uu.nl) or Dr Sanne Akerboom (https://www.uu.nl/staff/SAkerboom) at s.akerboom@uu.nl (mailto:s.akerboom@uu.nl)
- Note to recruitment agencies: Please refrain from contacting us regarding this job posting.
Apply now
As Utrecht University, we want to be a home (https://www.uu.nl/en/organisation/equality-diversity-inclusion) for everyone. We value staff with diverse backgrounds, perspectives and identities, including cultural, religious or ethnic background, gender, sexual orientation, disability or age. We strive to create a safe and inclusive environment in which everyone can flourish and contribute.
Knowledge security screening can be part of the selection procedures of academic staff. We do this, among other things, to prevent the unwanted transfer of sensitive knowledge and technology.
To apply, please send your curriculum vitae, including a letter of motivation via the 'apply now' button.
For shortlisted candidates, first-round interviews for this PhD position will be held during 1, 2 and 3 April 2026, with possible second-round interviews during 9 and 10 April 2026.
If you have an international (non-Dutch) Master’s diploma, you will be requested to provide your Bachelor’s and Master’s diplomas as well as the corresponding grade lists (in English) if you are selected for this position.
Note that international candidates that need a visa/work permit for the Netherlands require at least four months processing time after selection and acceptance. This will be arranged with help of the International Service Desk (ISD) (https://www.uu.nl/en/organisation/international-staff-and-guests/international-service-desk) of our university. Finding appropriate housing in or near Utrecht is your own responsibility, but the ISD may be able to advise you therewith. Unfortunately, we must warn that it is a tight market at the moment. In case of general questions about working and living in The Netherlands, please consult the Dutch Mobility Portal (http://www.euraxess.nl/).