Post-doc researcher mission-oriented innovation for sustainable datacenters

We are looking for a post-doctoral researcher for the Modular and Integrated Sustainable Datacenter (MISD) project, funded by the EU. This unique dual-role position blends in-depth research into path-breaking, mission-driven innovation (60%) with an action-oriented role (40%) to support partners in the consortium with the aim to develop viable, sustainable and socio-politically desirable innovation pathways and value propositions. This is a perfect position for candidates seeking to combine scientific rigour and directly contribute to a topic of great societal relevance.

As the need for more sustainable computing and communication infrastructures becomes more urgent and evident, in this project seven Dutch partners (the University of Twente and six private partners) collaborate, innovate, and conduct research to develop a sustainable and secure Edge data center. In order to mitigate the increasing climate impact of digitalization, enable energy flexibility and decrease global dependencies, the MISD project aims to develop a new modular, decentralized, sustainable, and secure-by-design concept to be deployed in places close to end users (edge computing). This should result in a significant reduction in total energy consumption, from cooling to computing power and data flows. The MISD consortium’s mission is to design, develop, and validate innovative solutions (hardware and software) in a fieldlab, toward this target.

The focus of this post-doc position will be on the conceptual, empirical, and anticipatory exploration and development of viable socio-technical innovation pathways for the innovations developed in the fieldlab, in collaboration with the project partners and stakeholders. The fieldlab provides an environment for piloting the socio-technical viability of the innovations developed within MISD. You will closely collaborate with a PhD-student who focuses on supporting the internal alignment between the partners within the innovation ecosystem. In addition, you will belong to the larger team of MISD researchers, consisting of 8 PhD students, four other post-docs, and their supervisors who are largely working on technological innovations.

As a Post-doc researcher in this project, you will

• Conduct a stakeholder analysis to understand the potential users, key stakeholders, their perspectives and identify tensions and alignment;
• Design and conduct longitudinal studies and engage in sociotechnical exploration and scenario development to understand how innovations developed in the project are influenced by and can contribute to (sustainable) transitions in data infrastructures;
• Feed insights back to the innovation ecosystem and co-create strategic implications;
• Work independently on your own research, while remaining in close relation with other researchers in the project team as well as with professionals of the involved partner organizations and external stakeholders;
• Report and present your findings for both scientific and non-scientific audiences (e.g., at scientific conferences, in journal publications, or during workshops with practitioners).

Requirements:

You have a PhD (completed or near completion) in a relevant field, such as Transition Studies, Innovation Studies, Science and Technology Studies, Strategic Innovation Management, Strategic Niche Management, Organization Studies, Policy Studies, Communication Science, or a related field. In addition, you:

• Have expertise or demonstrable interest in mission-oriented innovation, new forms of organizing, work across boundaries and differences, and interorganizational & multidisciplinary collaboration;
• Have an interest in the challenges related to sustainability transitions, with a focus on organizational rather than technical matters;
• Are experienced in qualitative research methods, including semi-structured interviews or observations;
• Have excellent writing skills, as demonstrated in scientific publications;
• Have good social and communication skills in academic as well as non-academic contexts;
• Are fluent in English and preferable able to understand and communicate in Dutch (for non-native speakers, please indicate your current Dutch level);
• Have excellent organization and project management skills and, ideally, experience in co-creation methods and/or supporting ecosystem development;
• Are willing and have proven ability to work independently, but are also an excellent team-player and are excited about working with scientists and practitioners from different backgrounds.

Salary Benefits:

• We offer you a position for 3 years (0,8 - 1.0 FTE) with a two-month probationary period;
• The envisioned starting date is February 1, 2025;
• Salary between € 4.020 and € 5.278 gross per month (in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities) bases on the job profile of Lecturer;
• 8,3% end-of-year bonus and 8% holiday allowance;
• Minimum of 29 holidays in case of full-time employment;
• An attractive pensions scheme;
• A family friendly institution;
• Free use of sports facilities;
• The terms of employment are in accordance with the Dutch Collective Labor Agreement for Universities (CAO).

38 - 40 hours per week

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