Postdoc Position: Sustainable SME Representation

Are you interested in social science, sustainability, and business interest representation? As a postdoctoral researcher, you will analyze SME representation in sustainability policies, publish in international journals, and contribute to policy discussions.

The project investigates the interests and representation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), particularly with regard to sustainability policies. While business interests are often portrayed as homogeneous, there are growing concerns that SME interests clash with those of large, multinational enterprises that arguably dominate politics and organised interest. This poses risks not only to the feasibility of sustainability policies but also to the economic viability of SMEs and the livelihood of the people they employ. Systematic evidence on the extent of – and reasons for – this problem is, however, severely lacking. The project addresses this problem, taking advantage of a recently completed, high-quality two-wave panel survey (N=901) of SMEs in the Netherlands (fielded by Verian – previously Kantar). It provides descriptive and explanatory analyses of SME interests and representation a) in general, b) in sustainability policies, c) in employment relations, and d) through business interest organisations.

As a postdoctoral researcher, you will conduct the relevant statistical analyses and author or co-author a number of manuscripts for publication in international scientific journals. You will do so in collaboration with the PI, and in part also in collaboration with other academics from political science, economics and business administration. You will participate in academic conferences in order to discuss the research with the relevant international academic community.

In collaboration with the PI and with the help of a student assistant, you will also contribute to the development and organisation of knowledge dissemination activities and products for stakeholders (e.g. info sheets, research summaries for practitioner-oriented journals, a policy brief and a stakeholder symposium).

This postdoctoral researcher position involves 20% teaching duties (including thesis supervision).

This position provides an excellent opportunity for an early or mid-career academic to establish a strong track record in high-quality research that is both scientifically and societally relevant, while also gaining experience in working in an interdisciplinary setting, in contributing to knowledge dissemination, and in teaching. A longer project description is available from the PI upon request (alex.lehr [at] ru.nl).

Profile

• You should have a PhD degree in a relevant social science discipline broadly defined (sociology, political science, economics, business administration) or a related discipline.
• You are genuinely interested in the study of business interests and representation.
• You have a good command of statistical research methods, particularly regarding the analysis of longitudinal/panel data.
• You have experience with data management.
• You have experience with publishing research in international scientific journals.
• You value scientific integrity, reproducibility and neutrality in your work as a researcher.
• You are interested in working in an interdisciplinary setting and are able to acquire viewpoints from various disciplines in the social sciences, broadly defined.
• You can work both independently and in a team.
• You are willing to teach a limited number of courses in our undergraduate political science programme.
• You have a good command of the English language.

Desirables:

• You have experience conducting research on business interests and/or employment relations.
• You have experience with analysing survey data and modelling longitudinal/panel data.
• You have experience in teaching and supervising undergraduate students.
• You are able to teach courses in the Dutch language.

We are

The Department of Political Science examines the complexity and interconnectedness of contemporary politics with a focus on legitimacy and institutional change. The department consists of two chair groups: Empirical Political Science and International Relations. Jointly, they offer Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programmes in Political Science.

You will be based within the chair group Empirical Political Science. This chair group has particular strengths in Comparative Politics, Political Theory, as well as Quantitative and Qualitative Methodology. Major research topics include populism, voter behaviour, and attitudes, labour movements, as well as the moral legitimacy of institutions and policies. Many of its individual members contribute to more than one of these subjects, and are active in interdisciplinary Hot Spots and research collaborations across Nijmegen School of Management and beyond.

Radboud University

At Radboud University, we aim to make an impact through our work. We achieve this by conducting groundbreaking research, providing high-quality education, offering excellent support, and fostering collaborations within and outside the university. In doing so, we contribute indispensably to a healthy, free world with equal opportunities for all. To accomplish this, we need even more colleagues who, based on their expertise, are willing to search for answers. We advocate for an inclusive community and welcome employees with diverse backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives. Will you also contribute to making the world a little better? You have a part to play.

Nijmegen School of Management
At Nijmegen School of Management, one of the seven faculties within Radboud University in the Netherlands, we have a clear aim: we enable students, institutions and companies, social actors, and governments to play their part in the transformations towards a sustainable society through high-quality scientific research and education. With more than 4,500 curious students and more than 450 dedicated employees, we form a dynamic community. Our mission ‘Responsible governance for sustainable societies’ is driven by the ambition to make a difference in the world. At Nijmegen School of Management, we understand management as a broad concept referring to the collective and organised pursuit (responsible governance) of a better world (sustainable societies). We study and teach management at the level of public and private organisations. In this context, we examine how to balance economic, ecological, and social values in a sustainable way. This aim is in line with Radboud University's mission to contribute through teaching and research to a ‘free, healthy world with equal opportunities for all’. At Nijmegen School of Management, academic research and teaching are carried out in following areas: Business Administration, Economics and Business Economics, Political Science, Public Administration, Human Geography, Spatial Planning, and Environment. Our approach to teaching and research is evolving from multidisciplinarity, where we study societal challenges from different disciplinary backgrounds, to interdisciplinarity (integrating disciplinary perspectives for synergy) and transdisciplinarity (involving non-academic stakeholders). The United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are an important source of inspiration for our work. Our work focuses on the themes Social economy, Resilient society and Sustainable environment. At Nijmegen School of Management, we have our eyes on the world of the future, in which sustainability and responsibility are central values. Together we are creating a better world for everyone.

We offer

• We will give you a temporary employment contract of 28 months.
• Your salary within salary scale 10 depends on your previous education and number of years of (relevant) work experience. The amounts in the scale are based on a 38-hour working week.
• You will receive an 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% end-of-year bonus.
• You will receive extra days off. With full-time employment, you can choose between 30 or 41 days of annual leave instead of the statutory 20.

Additional employment conditions

Work and science require good employment practices. Radboud University's primary and secondary employment conditions reflect this. You can make arrangements for the best possible work-life balance with flexible working hours, various leave arrangements and working from home. You are also able to compose part of your employment conditions yourself. For example, exchange income for extra leave days and receive a reimbursement for your sports membership. In addition, you receive a 34% discount on the sports and cultural activities at Radboud University as an employee. And, of course, we offer a good pension plan. We also give you plenty of room and responsibility to develop your talents and realise your ambitions. Therefore, we provide various training and development schemes.