Postdoctoral researcher in assessment of urban agriculture

Jouw functie

Demand for local food, employment, nature, and social connection has catalyzed the development of various types of urban agriculture initiatives in Europe, ranging from urban gardens to rooftop and vertical farming. While urban agriculture is acknowledged as a potential innovation that can bolster resilience to climate change, address disruptions in global food chains, foster social connections, and offer opportunities to reintegrate nature into urban spaces, the impacts of urban agricultural systems remain under-quantified.

An integrated assessment is needed to better guide the design of future urban agriculture projects, for maximum positive contribution to society. This assessment should consider urban agriculture types, but also location, spatial planning, management practices, the social context and network, and future opportunities. However, there is an urgent need to develop tools to assist both future urban farmers and stakeholders in devising systems that benefit both farmers and society.

This postdoctoral position offers the opportunity to explore the development of urban agriculture across Europe and its multifunctionality for society.

Jouw taken

• you investigate stakeholders' needs regarding the impacts of urban agriculture, the information required, and the potential use of tools to assess its benefits.
• you design a tool based on a set of relevant indicators to evaluate the sustainability of urban agriculture farms. We expect this tool to incorporate data on management practices, inputs, and service provision and to be used collaboratively with urban farmers and local stakeholders
• you use the tool collaboratively with urban farmers and local stakeholders in co-design workshops that you will help facilitate

You will collaborate with a team within the Institute for Environmental Studies and with several partners across Europe as part of the Horizon Europe project FOODCITYBOOST (https://foodcityboost.eu/) on urban farming, which is coordinated by the supervising team. The project will entail travel to various local NGOs and sustainability initiatives located across Europe.

Jouw profiel

• you have PhD degree in agricultural science, urban studies, sustainability sciences, environmental sciences, or another relevant field, e.g., innovation studies etc.
• you have proven experience within quantitative research methodologies, including multicriteria assessment, scenario modelling, and indicator calculation.
• you have affinity with survey analysis and/or participatory research with stakeholders
• you have excellent organisational, communicative and connective skills that allow you to collaborate with a wide variety of academic and societal actors.

We realise that each individual brings a unique set of skills, expertise, and mindset. Therefore, we are happy to invite anyone who recognises themselves in the profile to apply, even if you do not fully meet all the requirements.

Wat bieden wij

A challenging position at a socially engaged organization. At VU, you contribute to education, research, and services for a better world. And that deserves something in return. That’s why we offer you:

• A salary ranging from a minimum of €3,378.00 (Scale 10) to a maximum of €5,331.00 (Scale 10) gross per month for a full-time position. This is based on the UFO profile Researcher 4. The exact salary depends on your education and experience.
• A position of 0.8 to 1 FTE.
• Your employment contract initially lasts for 1 year, with the possibility of extension afterward.

In addition, we offer attractive secondary employment benefits and arrangements. Some examples include:

• For a full-time 38-hour workweek, you are entitled to 232 hours of vacation per year. If you choose to work 40 hours per week, you receive an additional 96 vacation hours annually. For part-time positions, this is calculated proportionally.
• 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% year-end bonus
• Contribution to commuting expenses for travel between home and work
• Optional tax exchange model for certain employment conditions
• Good and affordable sports facilities

Over ons

Institute for Environmental Studies (IVM)

Established in 1971, IVM is a leading environmental research institute that is internationally recognised for its high quality research output in a range of environmental disciplines, as well as for its interdisciplinary work. The mission of the institute is to contribute to sustainable development and care for the environment through scientific research and teaching. IVM aims to do excellent problem-oriented research that is useful to a wide range of stakeholders in the Netherlands and internationally. A unique strength of our research is to understand sustainability problems in their social and economic context. IVM research community works within four departments: Environmental Economics; Environmental Policy Analysis; Environmental Geography; and Water and Climate Risk. IVM is part of the Faculty of Science at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. This position is based within the Environmental Geography department. The Environmental Geography department conducts interdisciplinary research on the spatial aspects of environmental and social challenges and the solutions sustainable land use can provide to these.

Faculty of Science

Researchers and students at VU Amsterdam’s Faculty of Science tackle fundamental and complex scientific problems to help pave the way for a sustainable and healthy future. From forest fires to big data, from obesity to malnutrition, and from molecules to the moon: we cover the full spectrum of the natural sciences. Our teaching and research have a strong experimentally technical, computational and interdisciplinary nature.

We work on new solutions guided by value-driven, interdisciplinary methodologies. We are committed to research, valorisation and training socially engaged citizens of the world who will make valuable contributions to a sustainable, healthy future.

Are you interested in joining the Faculty of Science? You will join undergraduate students, PhD candidates and researchers at the biggest sciences faculty in the Netherlands. You will combine a professional focus with a broad view of the world. We are proud of our collegial working climate, characterised by committed staff, a pragmatic attitude and engagement in the larger whole. The faculty is home to over 11,000 students enrolled in 40 study programmes. It employs over 1,600 professionals spread across 10 academic departments.

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam stands for values-driven education and research. We are open-minded experts with the ability to think freely - a broader mind. Maintaining an entrepreneurial perspective and concentrating on diversity, significance and humanity, we work on sustainable solutions with social impact. By joining forces, across the boundaries of disciplines, we work towards a better world for people and planet. Together we create a safe and respectful working and study climate, and an inspiring environment for education and research.

We are located on one physical campus, in the heart of Amsterdam's Zuidas business district, with excellent location and accessibility. Over 6,150 staff work at the VU and over 31,000 students attend academic education.