Postdoc Position: Research Project on Governance of Grand Societal Challenges

Employment 0.8 - 1.0 FTE

Gross monthly salary € 3,345 - € 5,278

Required background PhD

Organizational unit Nijmegen School of Management

Application deadline 20 October 2024

The Nijmegen School of Management at Radboud University is enthusiastic to announce an open position for a Postdoctoral Researcher. As a postdoctoral researcher, you will conduct research in an exciting research project on the governance of grand societal challenges, with a particular focus on decent work in global supply chains.

The project aims to improve our understanding of the implementation and effects of decent work regulation, i.e. whether and how regulatory changes on decent work within global value chains help reduce organisational wrongdoing and corruption, and thereby affect decent working conditions for shop-floor workers in the Global South. The project takes a multi-actor perspective on the topic, meaning that not only the perspectives of business organisations will be taken into account, but also those of employee and employer associations, workers, governments, international and non-governmental organisations, etc. Research collaborations with international organisations working on the topic are being built. In addition to research, you will also be involved in teaching-related activities such as supervising Master’s theses or work groups (0.2 FTE).

You will work together with Drs Stefan Schembera, Sofija Pajic, Lander Vermeerbergen, and Nora Lohmeyer. You will carry out data collection and data analysis for the project. Field research will involve both qualitative and quantitative methods (e.g. interviews, observations, document analysis and surveys). This will most likely also involve field visits in production countries. You will report on the empirical findings, both in the form of written reports and academic articles and by presenting the findings at international conferences.

You will have a 10% teaching load. You will teach courses in the Bachelor’s degree programme in Business Administration and/or the Master’s specialisation in Organisational Design and Development and/or Strategic Human Resource Management.

Profile

• You have a PhD degree in Business Administration or a related discipline (e.g. Sociology, Psychology, Political Sciences) or your PhD defence will take place before the start of the project.
• You have demonstrable knowledge in recent theoretical and empirical developments in either (a) the governance of social challenges in global supply chains or related areas or (b) decent work and quality of work life (or in both).
• You have demonstrable experience with conducting qualitative and, preferably, also quantitative research.
• You have a proven ability to publish academic work in peer-reviewed journals, book chapters, or conferences proceedings.
• You have a proven ability to communicate research findings to non-academic audiences, for example through publications aimed at a broader audience, media work, etc.
• You have a track record in academic teaching in the field of Business Administration or related disciplines.
• You have a proven ability to collaborate with and inspire a team of professionals.
• You have excellent English language skills in oral and written communication.

We are

The project will be based at the Department of Business Administration of the Nijmegen School of Management. The Department of Business Administration consists of five Chair groups: Organisational Design and Development, Marketing, Methods, Strategic Management, and Strategic Human Resource Management. The department is responsible for the BSc programme in Business Administration (including a full track in English) as well as seven specialisations within the MSc programme in Business Administration (all in English). Research and teaching is based on the Nijmegen approach to business administration, characterised by a broad social science orientation, an integrative approach, and a focus on interventions. Research within the Department of Business Administration focuses on the topic of ’Responsible Organisation’, providing a welcoming context for conducting research on the governance of grand societal challenges.

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.

If you want to learn more about working at Radboud University, follow our Instagram account and read stories from our colleagues.

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 (0.8 FTE 33-month contract or 1.0 FTE 27-month contract).
• 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 be able to use our Dual Career and Family Support Service. The Dual Career Programme assists your partner via support, tools, and resources to improve their chances of independently finding employment in the Netherlands. Our Family Support Service helps you and your partner feel welcome and at home by providing customised assistance in navigating local facilities, schools, and amenities. Also take a look at our support for international staff page to discover all our services for international employees.
• 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. 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.

Practical information and applying

You can apply only via the button below. Address your letter of application to Stefan Schembera.  In the application form, you will find which documents you need to include with your application.

The first interviews will take place on 12 November. Any second interview will take place on 26 November. You will preferably start your employment on 1 January 2025, or upon mutual agreement.  

We can imagine you're curious about our application procedure. It describes what you can expect during the application procedure and how we handle your personal data and internal and external candidates. If you wish to apply for a non-scientific position with a non-EU nationality, please take notice of the following information.