PhD candidate in “Narratives for the Energy Transition” (0.8 – 1.0 FTE)

Job title:

PhD candidate in “Narratives for the Energy Transition” (0.8 – 1.0 FTE)

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Job description

Offer DescriptionThe project
The transition towards a climate-neutral energy system demands for a fundamental shift in the energy resources we rely on. One of the key challenges faced by governments, energy companies, and network operators is to find support for the necessary transition: there is a clear discrepancy between the availability of energy transition solutions on the one hand, and the adoption of these solutions by the public on the other hand. This challenge is largely a communication problem: oftentimes the narratives that are used in persuasive energy communication do not align, leading to reactance and inaction.We are looking for a talented and motivated PhD researcher who is eager to work on this problem in a fully funded, 4-year project called “Narratives for the Energy Transition”. The goal of this project is threefold: 1. To assess the narratives that are currently used by governments, energy companies, and network operators to communicate about the energy transition; 2. To identify one or more shared narratives for this communication that resonate with all stakeholders involved, including the public; and 3. To establish and test these narratives in ready-to-use and scalable tools for accessible energy communication.The position is hosted by the (Tilburg School of Humanities and Digital Sciences) and embedded in the university-wide (ACCCE) at Tilburg University, which also provides the funding for the project. The ACCCE brings together various disciplines across the university as well as societal partners to contribute with scientific knowledge and practical solutions to a socially just energy transition. Key to the position is close collaboration with both academic and societal partners of the ACCCE, bridging the gap between academia and practice. For the candidate, this offers a unique opportunity to combine high-level cutting-edge academic research with tangible societal impact, helping to shape a sustainable energy future.Are you passionate about sustainability, contributing to the energy transition, persuasion, and emerging tools for energy communication? Do you want to contribute to cutting-edge research, in close collaboration with governmental and industry partners, that will help shape the future of sustainable energy? Then we invite you to apply!Your position
As a PhD student in this position, you will explore fundamental questions such as:

• Do stakeholders in the energy transition share an understanding about what is at stake, do they agree about where responsibility lies, and how the problems are to be understood?
• What are the current narratives governments, energy companies, and network operators use in their communication about policies, solutions, and technologies for the energy transition?
• To what extent do these communicative strategies align with each other, and, crucially, with those of the clients they serve?
• Are there shared narratives for the energy transition that resonate with all parties involved, and what is the potential of these narratives for persuasive energy communication?

A mixed-methods approach will be used to answer these questions. The project departs from content analyses of existing strategies used to communicate about the energy transition. Here the candidate will work with the partners of the ACCCE, such as the municipalities of Tilburg and Breda; the Province of Noord-Brabant; and network operators such as Alliander. The findings will be applied as input for interviews with representatives of these partners, as well as with their clients, to identify narratives that appeal to shared feelings and worldviews of all parties involved. The final stage of the project employs the identified shared narrative(s) in one or more emerging and scalable tools for accessible communication, such as interactive digital narratives, serious games, or personalised narratives generated by large language models. Such tools are developed in collaboration with selected stakeholders of the ACCCE and tested with their clients in field experiments for their impact on emotions, reactance, and persuasion.Where to apply WebsiteRequirementsSpecific RequirementsCandidates for this position should have a (research) master’s degree in communication (and information) science, cognitive science, social psychology, culture studies, (applied) linguistics, media design, cultural anthropology, or comparable. In addition, the ideal candidate:

• Has expertise (or interest) in the energy transition, and sustainability in broader terms;
• Has experience with both qualitative (content analysis, interviews) and quantitative (field experiments) research methods;
• Is eager and able to collaborate with diverse stakeholders, to bridge connections between researchers and practitioners, and to switch from working with researchers to working with partners from practice;
• Communicates effectively, presenting ideas clearly with diverse audiences;
• Has excellent social and organizational skills;
• Has excellent written and oral communication skills in English and, preferably, also Dutch;
• Wants to contribute to Tilburg University’s dynamic research community on climate and energy.

We understand that no candidate will meet every single requirement. If you are excited about this position but do not tick every box, we still encourage you to apply. In your application, tell us not only about the qualifications you bring but also about the areas you are eager to develop further. International PhD’s with scholarships below the IND income standard (€1,564) are unfortunately not eligible for this vacancy.Additional InformationBenefitsTilburg University offers excellent benefits in a pleasant working environment:

• A position based on 1.0 fte (40 hours per week).
• A salary of minimum €2,901 and maximum €3,707 gross per month for full-time employment, based on UFO profile PhD Candidate and salary scale P.
• This is a vacancy for a PhD in accordance with Article 2.3 paragraph 8 sub b CLA DU. You will initially be given a temporary contract for the duration of 12 months, concluded by an evaluation. Upon a positive outcome of the first-year evaluation, the candidate will be offered an employment contract for an additional 3 years.
• Vacation pay of 8% and a year-end bonus of 8.3%.
• Over 8 weeks of vacation leave.
• The opportunity to work partly on campus and partly from home with a home office allowance of €2 per day.
• Reimbursement for sustainable commuting: walking, cycling, and public transport.
• A monthly internet allowance of €25.
• An options model in which you exchange benefits for things such as additional leave, more pension, a bicycle or personal training at our Sports Center.
• Employees from abroad may be eligible for a tax-free allowance for extraterritorial expenses equal to 30% of taxable salary.
• A pension with ABP; the largest Dutch pension fund.Training in personal development, career development, leadership, education, and research. Or a language course at our Language Center. A work culture in which we embrace differences, everyone is welcome and given equal opportunities.
• A vibrant campus in green surroundings that is easily accessible by public transport.

For more information, see our and the .Selection processThe only way to apply is online. The first deadline for application is June 30, 2025. The application interviews are intended to take place early July 2025. The starting date of this position is 1 September 2025, or soon after.The selection committee consists of:
1. Dr. Martijn Goudbeek (associate professor at DCC)
2. Dr. Ruud Koolen (assistant professor as DCC)
3. Dr. Wessel Ganzevoort (postdoctoral researcher at the ACCCE)
4. Dr. Ilona Plug (teacher at DCC)This vacancy has been published simultaneously internally and externally. In case of equal suitability, our preference is for an internal candidate.Additional commentsWould you like to know more before applying? Feel free to contact dr. Martijn Goudbeek ( ) or dr. Ruud Koolen ( ).To apply, please submit:

• a motivation letter in which you describe why you want to do this research, and why you are the right person to do it;
• a full curriculum vitae;
• academic transcripts of your Bachelor and (Research) Master’s degrees
• a sample of writing, such as your Master’s thesis or a relevant paper;
• contact details of two academic referees.

Website for additional job detailsWork Location(s)Number of offers available 1 Company/Institute Tilburg University Country Netherlands City Tilburg Postal Code 5037 AB Street Warandelaan 2 GeofieldContact CityTilburg WebsiteStreetWarandelaan 2 Postal Code5037 ABSTATUS: EXPIREDShare this page

Expected salary

€3707 per month

Location

Tilburg, Noord-Brabant

Job date

Sun, 15 Jun 2025 01:40:58 GMT

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