PhD Position on the Transition to a Green Steel Industry

Are you passionate about sustainability transitions and innovation? The Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development at Utrecht University is looking for a PhD candidate to explore transformative pathways for a CO2-neutral steel sector. Join a dynamic research team and contribute to cutting-edge solutions for a greener future.

Your job

The Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development at Utrecht University is seeking a motivated PhD candidate to contribute to cutting-edge research on the transition to a green steel industry.

A world without steel is unimaginable, yet we need to produce this steel sustainably. The Groeien met Groen Staal programme (GGS) aims at making the Dutch steel sector CO2-neutral by 2050. Despite its environmental impact, steel is crucial to modern society and its development and plays a crucial economic role in the Netherlands. Transformation is necessary for the steel sector to continue to remain a key sector of the Dutch economy. Achieving ambitious environmental and social goals necessitates the development of innovative transformative pathways. This process requires multi-stakeholder collaboration and coordination at both the local and international levels (consider foreign ownership and competitive environments).

In this project we will apply the Mission-Oriented Innovation System (MIS) framework to analyse the entire problem–solution space to transition to a green steel value chain. This includes the whole ecosystem necessary to come to a climate neutral and circular steel supply chain (including stakeholders along the value chain as well as essential factors external to the steel value chain, like sufficient green hydrogen production). The ecosystem includes all direct stakeholders, both proponents and opponents of swift climate action, and the environment impacting innovation to a green steel value chain (e.g. R&D capabilities, policy making, NGOs).

In the project you will work with many stakeholders in the (green) steel value chain and beyond, and especially in close collaboration with other researchers at Utrecht University, Technical University Delft, Leiden University and University of Twente. Specifically, you will:

• conduct in-depth analysis of mission-specific innovation systems related to the transition to a green steel value chain;
• explore the societal problems and strategic incentives, and solutions and stakeholder roles;
• identify and map drivers, barriers, and opportunities within the innovation system;
• develop and validate intervention strategies to address systemic challenges and accelerate the transition;
• collaborate with stakeholders, including policymakers, businesses, knowledge institutions, and NGOs;
• publish high-quality academic papers in peer-reviewed journals and present findings at conferences;
• contribute to the broader research programme of the Copernicus Institute on sustainability transitions and circular economy.

Your qualities

This PhD project may be the right fit for you, if you have:

• a Master’s degree in innovation studies, sustainability science, industrial ecology, or a related field;
• strong analytical and research skills, with experience in qualitative methods;
• knowledge of innovation systems, sustainability transitions, political science, or circular economy (this is an advantage);
• excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and, preferably, Dutch;
• motivation to work in an interdisciplinary and collaborative research environment.

Our offer

We offer

• a position for one year, with an extension to a total of four years upon a successful assessment in the first year, and with the specific intent that it results in a doctorate within this period;
• a working week of 38 hours and a gross monthly salary between €2,901 and €3,707 in the case of full-time employment (salary scale P under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU));
• 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus;
• a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU.