PhD candidate related to Infrastructure Dynamics and Sustainability

The Faculty of Science and Institute of Environmental Sciences are looking for:

PhD candidate | Infrastructure Dynamics and Sustainability: An Economy-wide Analysis Linking Production, Asset Stock, Infrastructural Service Needs, and Investment

Vacancy number: 14435

Background
In the pursuit of enhancing global well-being within planetary limits, sustainable infrastructure research stands as a critical endeavour. Far beyond a mere physical construct, infrastructure serves as a nexus where production, asset stock, service needs, and investments converge. Key challenges, such as the low-carbon transition, climate adaptation, managing stranded assets, and navigating the growth dynamics of the Global South, further underscore the urgency of this research. Moreover, the extraction of global resources along the infrastructure supply chains and their consequential environmental impacts are intricately linked, transcending national boundaries. A nuanced, systematic understanding of these intricate dynamics are imperative for fostering a sustainable future. To address the demands of development while ensuring environmental stewardship, a comprehensive, economy-wide analysis becomes imperative.

This PhD vacancy, funded by the Leiden University Incentive Research Grant, invites candidates to unravel this intricate web of interactions, contributing to theoretical advancements and informing the ongoing dialogue surrounding sustainable infrastructure development. The candidate will develop methodologies capable of modeling the trajectory of global infrastructure development, guiding it toward a more sustainable and resilient future. The culmination of this research will involve an empirical exploration focusing on EU infrastructure investment needs and their environmental implications spanning the period from 2020 to 2050.

Key responsibilities and tasks:

• Model Development: Advance the Input-Output Analysis (IOA) model ensuring its dynamic adaptability to capture evolving infrastructural dynamics.
• Data Collection: Conduct rigorous data collection to operationalize the model..
• Publishing Findings: Disseminate research outcomes in high-impact scientific journals, contributing to academic discourse on infrastructure dynamics and sustainability.
• Proactive Research Initiatives: Take ownership by proactively identifying and executing research tasks that complement and expand the main agenda.
• Outreach and Teaching: Engage in outreach to communicate findings to broader audiences, including industry stakeholders. Contribute to teaching responsibilities, sharing expertise and fostering the next generation of researchers.

Selection criteria

• Master's degree in a relevant discipline e.g. environmental or sustainability science, industrial ecology, environmental engineering etc.
• Good mathematical background
• Knowledge and interest in macroeconomics, input-output analysis, and infrastructure sustainability research.
• Knowledge in data science, national accounts, finance, and programming is an advantage.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English and good communication skills.

Research at our faculty
The Faculty of Science is a world-class faculty where staff and students work together in a dynamic international environment. It is a faculty where personal and academic development are top priorities. Our people are committed to expanding fundamental knowledge by curiosity and looking beyond the borders of their discipline; they aim to benefit science and make a contribution to addressing the major societal challenges of the future. The research carried out at the Faculty of Science is very diverse, ranging from mathematics, information science, astronomy, physics, chemistry and bio-pharmaceutical sciences to biology and environmental sciences. The research activities are organized in eight institutes. These institutes offer eight bachelor’s and twelve master’s programs. We are located at the heart of Leiden’s Bio Science Park, one of Europe’s biggest science parks, where university and business life come together. For more information, see www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/science and http://workingat.leiden.edu/

Terms and conditions
We offer a 1-year position with the possibility of extension to 4 years based on performance. Salary ranges from € 2.770 gross per month in the first year to € 3.539 gross per month in the fourth year based on a full-time position (pay scale P under the Collective Labor Agreement for Dutch Universities).
Leiden University offers an attractive benefits package with additional holiday (8%) and end-of-year bonuses (8.3 %), training and career development and sabbatical leave. Our individual choices model gives you some freedom to assemble your own set of terms and conditions. For international spouses, we have set up a dual career programme. Candidates from outside the Netherlands may be eligible for a substantial tax break.

Diversity
Leiden University is strongly committed to diversity within its community and especially welcomes applications from members of underrepresented groups.

Information
Enquiries can be made to Dr. Ranran Wang (r.wang@cml.leidenuniv.nl), or Dr.ir. Arjan de Koning (koning@cml.leidenuniv.nl).

Applications
Please submit your application via the online recruitment system, via the blue button at the top or bottom of this page. Applications received via e-mail will not be taken into consideration. Please ensure that you upload the following additional documents quoting the vacancy number:

• CV (max 2 pages)
• A motivation letter (max 2 pages)
• The names and contact information of two referees

The application deadline for this position is April 30, 2024. Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis until the position is filled. The selected candidate is expected to start on September 1, 2024 but an earlier start is also possible.