Post-doc Maastricht, Working on Europe: Knowledge, Technology and Digitalisation (0.8-1.0fte)
Published: 18 December 2020
Deadline: 31 January 2021
Location: Maastricht
Maastricht, Working on Europe aims to encourage multi-disciplinary Europe-focused research with societal impact. Apply and join the research of Europe!
JOB DESCRIPTION
The successful candidate is a talented early-career researcher with a proven interest in European affairs. They will be a member of the core research team Maastricht, Working on Europe (MWoE) of Maastricht University for a two-year appointment and will hold office at Studio Europa Maastricht (SEM). They will work closely with the SEM team and senior researchers in the different faculties of Maastricht University. The post-doc is expected to devote 60% of the position to academic research and 40% to outreach activities, emphasizing the societal impact of the post-doc’s running research. This includes the following output:
• The post-doc carries out internationally competitive research and produces high-quality publications in the area of Knowledge, Technology and Digitalisation (MWoE research theme 4), with a clear link to European issues. Research and publications are of a multi- or interdisciplinary nature, fitting the research agenda of ‘Maastricht, Working on Europe’, which reflects the UM wide priority ‘Europe in a globalising world’;
• The post-doc writes and submits at least one relevant individual grant proposal (such as within NWO, ERC, or within any other leading national or international funding scheme for academic research);
• The post-doc engages in outreach activities, including the dissemination of personal research in forms that make it accessible beyond academia or even for the general public (e.g. in the form of open access source collections or databases, popularised publications, policy briefs for societal stakeholders in European affairs, presentations at public events, creation of a service/product developed in collaboration with external partners, etc.);
• The post-doc acts as an active and visible ambassador of the MWoE research agenda within the UM-community and beyond;
• The post-doc contributes to the general promotion and communication regarding MWoE activities and events calendar, coordinated from SEM.
Research theme 4: Knowledge, Technology and Digitalisation
Supported by the European Commission, the business-enterprise sector is playing a major role in generating new knowledge and technologies. Research on the economic effects of these corporate investments is in high demand. The findings may help businesses exploit their innovation potential. This, in turn, will benefit the EU and its citizens. Innovations in automation and digitalisation are expected to boost the EU’s long-term competitiveness, help build a greener society and improve the overall quality of life of EU citizens.
The use of social media may help boost citizen engagement and participation in politics. It can produce knowledge in areas such as medicine, science and politics. However, the use of these tools is not without critics. More research is needed into how knowledge is created and shared by digital platforms. The same applies to the increased use of data by European companies and organisations. How do they handle, analyse and interpret these rich datasets? Can they be used more efficiently for decision-making? And what are the ethical, legal and social implications?
All this research will benefit from a high-quality research infrastructure, offering new opportunities for sharing and connecting data and resources across the continent.
REQUIREMENTS
Applicants are expected to:
• hold a recent (< 5 years) doctorate, or are very close to acquiring a PhD, in Life Sciences, Social Sciences, Humanities, Law, Economics, Data Science or any other relevant field concerning MWoE research theme 4: Knowledge, Technology and Digitalisation;
• have interest in and (proven) experience with a multidisciplinary approach to societal, institutional and political themes and topics related to European affairs;
• have an excellent track record in research, preferably with a focus on European affairs. A strong profile in publication of peer-reviewed journal articles or book chapters edited is considered a plus;
• have knowledge of and experience in different research fields/methods;
• have excellent communication and coordination skills;
• have affinity with realizing societal impact through research and/or familiarity with citizen science;
• have the potential to generate research funds from national and international funding agencies;
• be able and willing to be part of an interdisciplinary team;
• have an excellent command of spoken and written English.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
Maastricht University offers a challenging job (0.8-1.0fte) in an attractive international work environment for two years. The intended start date is 1 March 2021. This date is negotiable in consultation with the management of Studio Europa. The salary depends on qualifications and experience of the candidate and ranges from € 3.746 (scale 11) to € 5.826 (scale 12) gross per month (based on the salary scales VSNU per 1 June 2020). In addition, there is an 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% end-of-year allowance. In addition, Maastricht University offers excellent secondary conditions, including (partly paid) parental leave. The terms of employment of Maastricht University are set out in the collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities (CAO). Furthermore, local UM provision also apply. For more information check the website
http://www.maastricht university.nl > support > UM employees.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
This vacancy is part of MWoE's second round of research call 1 for five post-docs for the four interdisciplinary research themes of its research agenda.
Inquiries on the content of the application and inquiries on the procedure and working conditions can, under strict confidentiality, be directed at Dr Gonny Willems,
[email protected].
The application procedure will close 31 January 2021, midnight CET.
The application should include:
• motivation letter;
• complete and up-to-date curriculum vitae;
• evidence of research output (job market paper, selected publications or working papers);
• names and contact details of two referees;
• two page proposal of the intended research and a clear description on how it relates to the selected theme (please clearly mention the vacancy number and selected theme)..
• Vacancy number AT2020.379
You can send your application to the following email address:
[email protected]