Postdoc Transformative Policy and Law to Accelerate Sustainability Transitions

Job Description

The project 'From EXperiment to sustainable change: TRAnsformative methodologies for Innovation and learning' (EXTRA) seeks to overcome a persistent "pilot paradox". In this paradox, much experimentation takes place but long-term systemic impact remains difficult. Researchers together with all sorts of change makers will synthesise existing knowledge on how to mainstream, upscale, spread, broaden and deepen developed innovations. In this postdoc position you will be employed at the Multi Actor Systems Department and co-supervised by the Rotterdam School of Law.

You will work together with a transdisciplinary action research team of 3 PhD researchers (VU Organizational Sciences/VU Athena Institute/WUR), one post doc (TU Delft TBM) and three senior researchers (HvA/HR).

Your role will be to synthesize existing research on regulatory innovations and policy experiments that contribute to sustainability transitions in the area of renewable energy, circularity and biodiversity.

You will also conduct transdisciplinary action research together with societal partners that are working in temporary experimental environment environments (such as AMS Institute, Bouwlab, Dreamhûs, Nationaal Programma Samen Nieuw-West, PRICE Almere, The Green Village Delft) and actors working on experiments on the level of the regime (Ministerie van VRO, Planbureau voor de Leefomgeving en Provincie Noord-Holland). Together with the action researchers they have developed a Dynamic Learning Agenda of learning questions that they want to address during the trajectory of the project.

Together with Afdeling Buitengewone Zaken and the postdoc/action researchers, you will work on action research that may help them in answering their questions and develop designs for interfaces between experiments and policymakers that partners can implement in their practices and institutions.

On the basis of your experiences, you will get the opportunity to experiment with (co)producing different outputs, including but not limited to academic articles, articles for a lay audience and a podcast.

Requirements

• A PhD degree (or almost) in public administration, political science, law or related fields
• Proven experience in conducting transdisciplinary research and/or action research
• Innovative thinker with a problem-solving mindset.
• Strong communication and teamwork abilities.
• Reliable, independent, and organized, with a commitment to meeting deadlines.
• Language Proficiency: Fluency in Dutch and English (both C1 level).

Conditions of employment

• Duration of contract is 2,5 years. Temporary external finance.
• A job of 32-38 hours per week.
• Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities.
• An excellent pension scheme via the ABP.
• The possibility to compile an individual employment package every year.
• Discount with health insurers on supplemental packages.
• Flexible working week.
• Every year, 232 leave hours (at 38 hours). You can also sell or buy additional leave hours via the individual choice budget.
• Plenty of opportunities for education, training and courses.
• Partially paid parental leave
• Attention for working healthy and energetically with the vitality program.

Will you need to relocate to the Netherlands for this job? TU Delft is committed to make your move as smooth as possible! The HR unit, Coming to Delft Service, offers information on their website to help you prepare your relocation. In addition, Coming to Delft Service organises events to help you settle in the Netherlands, and expand your (social) network in Delft. A Dual Career Programme is available, to support your accompanying partner with their job search in the Netherlands.

Additional information

For more information about this vacancy, please contact prof.dr. Tamara Metze via [email protected]. For more information about the application procedure, please contact [email protected] interviews are scheduled for 31 August and 18 September.

Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 17 August 2026 via the application button and upload the following documents:

• Curriculum Vitae (CV);
• Motivation letter indicating your research interests and experience;
• One-page proposal with a rough description how you will approach the presented problem;
• Diplomas/degrees including a grade transcript of previous education at Bachelor and Master level (or preliminary grade transcript if still finishing up your MSc).

You can address your application to prof.dr. Tamara Metze.

Please note:

• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
• As part of knowledge security, TU Delft conducts a risk assessment during the recruitment of personnel. We do this, among other things, to prevent the unwanted transfer of sensitive knowledge and technology. The assessment is based on information provided by the candidates themselves, such as their motivation letter and CV, and takes place at the final stages of the selection process. When the outcome of the assessment is negative, the candidate will be informed. The processing of personal data in the context of the risk assessment is carried out on the legal basis of the GDPR: performing a public task in the public interest. You can find more information about this assessment on our website about knowledge security.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.