Postdoctoral researcher in assessment of urban agriculture

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.

Requirements:

• 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.

Salary Benefits:

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

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