Postdoc - Assessing Nascent Sustainable Technologies amidst High Uncertainty
The University of Amsterdam invites applications for a postdoctoral researcher position focused on evaluating nascent sustainable technologies amidst high uncertainty. We are looking for a talented and motivated researcher with an interest in the social dimension of sustainable energy transitions, such as social impact assessment and anticipation of stakeholder reactions to the technology; the latter including social evaluations and willingness-to-pay.
Working at the UvA
Would you like to join us in developing new ways of assessing nascent sustainable technologies amidst high uncertainty?
The successful candidate will join an interdisciplinary research project (SUSGREEN, see below) and obtain employment at the Economics and Business faculty of University of Amsterdam. The position will primarily be located at the Strategy and International Business (SIB) section at the Amsterdam Business School (ABS), with a strong secondary affiliation at the Microeconomics section at the Amsterdam School of Economics (ASE).
To get a good understanding of the nascent technology focal for the work, the postdoc will also engage with personnel at the Faculty of Science and with relevant industry partners in SUSGREEN (Sustainable Fuels from Carbon Dioxide Using Integrated Green Technologies), an innovation-oriented EU project led by dr. Shiju Raveendran at the The Catalysis Engineering Group, UvA Van 't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences. The SUSGREEN project aims to offer a scalable pathway for CO₂ valorization and thereby contribute to Europe’s transition to sustainable fuels.
The postdoc will be supervised by dr. Siri Boe-Lillegraven (Associate professor at the Amsterdam Business School) and dr. Natalie Lee (Assistant professor at the Amsterdam School of Economics). This position contributes directly to SUSGREEN’s WP7: Social and Market Impact of the New Technology. In terms of the research output, the main aim is to – in addition to dissemination within the broader project team and to other relevant stakeholders – publish the insights in high-quality outlets within economics, business, and/or organization studies.
This is what you will be doing
The work associated with this postdoc position will be organized around two interconnected sub-projects: social impact mapping and stakeholder valuation of sustainable fuel variants. For additional details about these sub-projects and SUSGREEN, please see this link (If the document is not available via the link, please contact the contact person for the vacancy to obtain it). 80% of your time will be dedicated to the below research related activities and 20% will be dedicated to teaching at the Amsterdam Business School. Teaching is in English, unless the candidate prefers to teach in Dutch and there is a corresponding need.
Main duties and responsibilities:
We are looking for someone who is enthusiastic about the opportunity to gain a leading role in designing and driving concrete empirical research projects from start to finish, while also enjoying collaborative problem solving and discussions in a multidisciplinary setting. You are able to translate broad project goals into concrete research designs, manage data collection in real-world contexts, and turn findings into publishable academic work while retaining actionable insights for policymakers and industry partners. The ideal candidate will have strong communication skills and have experience with both experimental research methods and different forms of qualitative research. Adaptability and creative problem solving ability are other important characteristics for this position.
Formal requirements:
We offer full-time employment for a period of 15 months, with a probationary period of two months. Favorable tax agreements may apply to non-Dutch applicants.
The collective bargaining agreement of Dutch universities applies.
The UvA has an extensive package of fringe benefits, including:
This is where you’ll be working
Education and research at Uva Economics and Business (EB) spans a wide range of fields including economics, data science, business administration, business analytics, accountancy, actuarial science, econometrics, finance and entrepeneurship. This is organized across two schools; the Amsterdam Business School (ABS) and the Amsterdam School of Economics (ASE). Over 7,000 students are enrolled in UvA Economics and Business programmes, supported by approximately 500 employees.
Your primary affiliation and base will be at the Strategy and Internation Business (SIB) section at the Amsterdam Business School. Given that your work bridges business and economics perspectives, you will also have a strong secondary affiliation with the Microeconomics section at the Amsterdam School of Economics. Due to interdisciplinary nature of the SUSGREEN project, you wil furthermore engage with researchers based at the Faculty of Science and with relevant industry partners.
More About The UvA
The University of Amsterdam is ambitious, creative and committed. An inspiration to students since 1632, a vanguard player in international science and a partner in innovation.
The University of Amsterdam is the largest university in the Netherlands, with the broadest range of courses on offer. An intellectual hub with 42,000 students, 6,000 staff and 3,000 PhD students. Connected by a culture of curiosity.
Important to know
Your application & contact
Do you recognize yourself in this profile? We look forward to receiving your application by 16 August 2026. You may apply online via the link below.
Your application should be submitted as a single PDF and include:
For questions about the position, please contact:
dr. Siri Boe-Lillegraven, Associate professor Strategy and international business; s.n.boe-lillegraven@uva.nl
Also important!
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
As an employer, the UvA maintains an equal opportunities policy. We value diversity and are fully committed to being a place where everyone feels at home. We nurture inquisitive minds and perseverance and allow room for persistent questioning. With us, curiosity and creativity are the prevailing culture.
Studies show that women and members of underrepresented groups only apply for jobs if they meet 100% of the qualifications. Do you meet the educational requirements but not yet all of the requested experience? The UvA encourages you to apply anyway.
Working at the UvA
Would you like to join us in developing new ways of assessing nascent sustainable technologies amidst high uncertainty?
The successful candidate will join an interdisciplinary research project (SUSGREEN, see below) and obtain employment at the Economics and Business faculty of University of Amsterdam. The position will primarily be located at the Strategy and International Business (SIB) section at the Amsterdam Business School (ABS), with a strong secondary affiliation at the Microeconomics section at the Amsterdam School of Economics (ASE).
To get a good understanding of the nascent technology focal for the work, the postdoc will also engage with personnel at the Faculty of Science and with relevant industry partners in SUSGREEN (Sustainable Fuels from Carbon Dioxide Using Integrated Green Technologies), an innovation-oriented EU project led by dr. Shiju Raveendran at the The Catalysis Engineering Group, UvA Van 't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences. The SUSGREEN project aims to offer a scalable pathway for CO₂ valorization and thereby contribute to Europe’s transition to sustainable fuels.
The postdoc will be supervised by dr. Siri Boe-Lillegraven (Associate professor at the Amsterdam Business School) and dr. Natalie Lee (Assistant professor at the Amsterdam School of Economics). This position contributes directly to SUSGREEN’s WP7: Social and Market Impact of the New Technology. In terms of the research output, the main aim is to – in addition to dissemination within the broader project team and to other relevant stakeholders – publish the insights in high-quality outlets within economics, business, and/or organization studies.
- A good salary Your salary will be determined on the basis of your experience and seniority, in accordance with the Labour agreement. Your grading and therefore the amounts mentioned are based on full employment of 38 hours per week.
- 232 vacation hours We also offer parental leave, partner leave and social engagement leave. Through the Employment Conditions Menu Card, there are opportunities for even more vacation hours.
- Financial arrangements On top of your salary, you receive holiday allowance (8%) and a year-end bonus (8.3%). You build up a good pension with ABP. And in addition, we offer many other allowances and schemes.
- Career development and room for growth The UvA encourages you to continue to professionalise through training courses and open UvA lectures.
- Family matters Relocating to the Netherlands with your family? Find out about daycare, schooling, health insurance or employment options and support for your partner or spouse. Including the IDCN-network which provides support for your spouse through various training sessions, social activities, and networking events.
This is what you will be doing
The work associated with this postdoc position will be organized around two interconnected sub-projects: social impact mapping and stakeholder valuation of sustainable fuel variants. For additional details about these sub-projects and SUSGREEN, please see this link (If the document is not available via the link, please contact the contact person for the vacancy to obtain it). 80% of your time will be dedicated to the below research related activities and 20% will be dedicated to teaching at the Amsterdam Business School. Teaching is in English, unless the candidate prefers to teach in Dutch and there is a corresponding need.
Main duties and responsibilities:
- Based on the draft outline provided via the link above, you will – in consultation with the supervisors and project team – lead the research design for both sub-projects; this includes refining research questions, choosing the final methods, and developing questions. Your own suggestions and ideas are expected and encouraged.
- You will coordinate and execute data collection (e.g. conducting interviews and focus groups, piloting and running survey(-experiments), including interacting with panel providers and/or industry partners).
- You will analyze the collected data and translate findings into clear theoretical and practical insights.
- You will also, preferably as the lead contributing author and with support from the researcher team, write up joint scientific articles that are publishable in high-quality international peer‑reviewed journals in economics, business, and/or sustainability-related fields. Your own publication aspirations will be taken into consideration.
- You will maintain productive collaboration with (inter)national project partners and stakeholders, and contribute to project organization (e.g. preparing materials for deliverables, organizing workshops or stakeholder sessions, and helping with internal coordination).
We are looking for someone who is enthusiastic about the opportunity to gain a leading role in designing and driving concrete empirical research projects from start to finish, while also enjoying collaborative problem solving and discussions in a multidisciplinary setting. You are able to translate broad project goals into concrete research designs, manage data collection in real-world contexts, and turn findings into publishable academic work while retaining actionable insights for policymakers and industry partners. The ideal candidate will have strong communication skills and have experience with both experimental research methods and different forms of qualitative research. Adaptability and creative problem solving ability are other important characteristics for this position.
Formal requirements:
- A completed PhD degree (or close to completion) in a field relevant to the position, such as Business Administration, (Environmental/Behavioral) Economics, Science and Technology Studies, Consumer Psychology, Sociology, or a related discipline.
- Excellent written and spoken English, ideally evidenced by publications or working papers in high-quality international peer-reviewed journals;
- Experience with qualitative research methods (e.g., semi-structured interviews, focus groups, thematic analysis) and/or quantitative experimental methods (e.g., survey experiments, vignette studies, conjoint analysis, willingness-to-pay elicitation);
- Familiarity with scenario-based approaches to analysis under uncertainty is an advantage; curiosity and interest in applying such methods is more important;
- Affinity with sustainability transitions, sustainable energy, or related fields is preferred;
- Familiarity with survey and/or video editing platforms and experimental software is an asset.
- Motivation and ability to collaborate within a multidisciplinary, international research team spanning academia and industry;
- Awareness of the openness and adaptability that may be required when conducting exploratory qualitative research and anticipating the future of nascent technologies;
- Commitment to methodological rigor, open science practices, and scientific integrity;
- Intellectual curiosity, eagerness to learn, and openness to feedback.
We offer full-time employment for a period of 15 months, with a probationary period of two months. Favorable tax agreements may apply to non-Dutch applicants.
- You’ll get to know enthusiastic and welcoming colleagues that are open to new perspectives and ideas;
- You’ll become part of an inspiring, international academic environment in the center of Amsterdam;
- You’ll be exploring and given the chance to shape collaboration with leading (inter)national researchers and industry partners in the field of sustainable energy transitions;
- This is an opportunity to conduct research that by design resists becoming siloed, and that builds bridges not only across different research schools (i.e. the Amsterdam Business School and the Amsterdam School of Economics) but across scientific disciplines and to practitioners.
The collective bargaining agreement of Dutch universities applies.
The UvA has an extensive package of fringe benefits, including:
- 29 days' holiday with full employment & extra holidays between Christmas and the New Year;
- Excellent work (from home) facilities;
- reimbursement of commuting expenses;
- pension accrual with ABP;
- In addition, the UvA offers excellent study and development opportunities and encourages employees to continue their professional development;
- You may participate in the open UvA lectures with which you can earn up to 30 credits per year.
This is where you’ll be working
Education and research at Uva Economics and Business (EB) spans a wide range of fields including economics, data science, business administration, business analytics, accountancy, actuarial science, econometrics, finance and entrepeneurship. This is organized across two schools; the Amsterdam Business School (ABS) and the Amsterdam School of Economics (ASE). Over 7,000 students are enrolled in UvA Economics and Business programmes, supported by approximately 500 employees.
Your primary affiliation and base will be at the Strategy and Internation Business (SIB) section at the Amsterdam Business School. Given that your work bridges business and economics perspectives, you will also have a strong secondary affiliation with the Microeconomics section at the Amsterdam School of Economics. Due to interdisciplinary nature of the SUSGREEN project, you wil furthermore engage with researchers based at the Faculty of Science and with relevant industry partners.
More About The UvA
The University of Amsterdam is ambitious, creative and committed. An inspiration to students since 1632, a vanguard player in international science and a partner in innovation.
The University of Amsterdam is the largest university in the Netherlands, with the broadest range of courses on offer. An intellectual hub with 42,000 students, 6,000 staff and 3,000 PhD students. Connected by a culture of curiosity.
Important to know
Your application & contact
Do you recognize yourself in this profile? We look forward to receiving your application by 16 August 2026. You may apply online via the link below.
Your application should be submitted as a single PDF and include:
- A curriculum vitae (please, no profile pictures);
- A letter of motivation, including: A description of your primary research interests; your motivation for and fit with the specific research topics of this position; how you would go about refining and executing the drafted outline of the two sub-projects associated with the position, including your preliminary ideas for how the results of these projects can bring specific bodies of academic literature forward;
- Up to two research papers (published or working papers);
- Either two reference letters or the names and contact details of two referees.
For questions about the position, please contact:
dr. Siri Boe-Lillegraven, Associate professor Strategy and international business; s.n.boe-lillegraven@uva.nl
Also important!
- Please submit your application as a PDF file via the application link.
- The response period closes on 16 August 2026. Applications received after the deadline, not submitted via the link, or incomplete cannot be considered.
- Applications will go through a screening whereafter an initial interview shortlist will be composed. The first round of interviews will preferably take place during the first week of September, with the scheduling of second round interviews depending on the number of the remaining shortlisted applicants.
- In case of equal suitability, internal candidates will be given priority.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
As an employer, the UvA maintains an equal opportunities policy. We value diversity and are fully committed to being a place where everyone feels at home. We nurture inquisitive minds and perseverance and allow room for persistent questioning. With us, curiosity and creativity are the prevailing culture.
Studies show that women and members of underrepresented groups only apply for jobs if they meet 100% of the qualifications. Do you meet the educational requirements but not yet all of the requested experience? The UvA encourages you to apply anyway.