Postdoc for Research Programme Ab-initio Biowaste Loop (ABEL)

Shape the future of sustainable materials from waste!

The University of Amsterdam invites applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher to join the newly funded national research programme Ab-initio Biowaste Loop (ABEL) led by Delft University of Technology and funded by the Netherlands National Research (NWA-ORC) programme.

Work at the interface between science and policy

ABEL a large interdisciplinary consortium will tackle one of the most pressing challenges of our time: transforming low-value waste streams into high-value sustainable materials and closing material loops in the Dutch bioeconomy. Under the supervision of Professor Joyeeta Gupta you will contribute to cutting-edge societally relevant research at the interface of science policy and sustainability transitions. To close material loops in the Dutch bioeconomy ABEL brings together a large multidisciplinary consortium from industry academia policymakers and societal partners to tackle one of the most pressing challenges of our time: making high-value sustainable and circular biomaterials from low-value waste streams that can compete and even outperform traditional alternatives. The target sectors for this project are the agriculture sector construction sector asphalt paving sector aviation sector and household sector.

In particular you will try to understand what the theoretical and actual policy bottlenecks are at local national and EU level that stand in the way of a sustainability transition in closing material loops and what steps (research workshops policy briefs lobbying) are needed to enable such a transition. This requires also a good understanding of the technologies being developed within the project; at the same time the post doc will also contribute to the development of such technologies by promoting knowledge of the policy principles that govern such a other words the post doc will also ensure that the transition does not create new problems.

This is a unique opportunity to work in a large national consortium engage with industry and policy partners and help shape pathways towards a circular and climate-neutral economy.

What are you going to do

As a Postdoctoral Researcher within the ABEL consortium at the University of Amsterdam you will:

• Conduct independent and collaborative research on the governance policy and societal dimensions of converting low-grade waste into sustainable materials.
• Contribute to interdisciplinary work packages connecting technological innovation with environmental policy regulation and sustainability transitions and participate in consortium meetings workshops and stakeholder events and actively contribute to knowledge exchange and impact activities.
• Collaborate closely with academic partners industry stakeholders policy organisations and societal actors across the consortium.
• Publish high-quality scientific articles in peer-reviewed journals and contribute to project reports and policy briefs in collaboration with the project supervisor and others.
• Support the supervision of MSc and/or PhD students where relevant and even in other universities part of the Consortium and contribute to the academic life of the GID/GPIO department.

• We expect and encourage post-docs to teach 01 FTE (compensated by enlarging the contractual hours and dependent on the teaching programmes needs)

This Post-Doc position is a unique opportunity to help reshaping supply chains material innovation and explore how the value of biomaterials is defined and perceived across industry society policymakers and regulators

What do you have to offer

The successful candidate should be passionate and interested about the Department and project work and main themes within this project. They should have a clear notion of what transdisciplinary academic research entails. The candidate should be committed efficient dedicated a team player and have good time management skills. The candidate will work in a highly interdisciplinary environment and will need to be able to communicate with other disciplines as well as with policymakers.

Required skills

• A PhD degree in a relevant discipline (e.g. environmental sciences sustainability science governance public policy innovation studies law or a related field);
• Some postdoctoral or equivalent research experience in an academic or applied research setting may be an advantage;
• A strong publication record or clear potential to publish in international peer-reviewed journals;
• Demonstrated interest or experience in sustainability transitions circular economy waste management or environmental governance;
• Good networking and communication skills and ability to work independently and in an interdisciplinary context;
• Excellent English language skills (spoken and written); Dutch language skills are necessary.

What else do we offer you

The starting date is set to be 1 September 2026. The position concerns temporary employment for 342 hours per week (0.9 fte) for 3 years. The initial employment is for one year. Following a positive assessment and barring altered circumstances this term will be extended by a maximum of 2 additional years. There would also be the opportunity to attend both national and international events.

You will work here

In this project you will work under the supervision of Prof. Joyeeta Gupta. You will be a member of the Governance and Inclusive Development Programme Group that focuses on development and environmental issues. GID researchers explore how governancethe processes of decision-making and implementationaffects justice sustainability and inclusion in varied contexts. The group focuses on the policies practices and power dynamics that shape governance asking who makes decisions how and in whose interest. Your project is one closely linked to policymaking as you will be trying to understand the policy conditions at the local national and EU level under which technological innovations for enhancing the circular economy can this way you will be learn from and share your experiences with the rest of the group. There may also be some teaching opportunities for the right candidate.

If you recognize yourself in this profile and are interested in the role we look forward to receiving your application. You can apply via the red button until 24 April 2026. In case of equal qualifications internal candidates will be given preference over external candidates.

For questions about the vacancy you can contact:

Prof. Joyeeta Gupta

Applications are to be sent in .pdf format and should include:

• a curriculum vitae including research interests and previous relevant work like PhD thesis topic.
• a motivation letter;
• written sample in English and Dutch of no more than 5 pages each (excluding bibliography)
• 2 letters of recommendation (1 has to be from someone in academia)

All applications will be reviewed and successful candidates will be contacted for an interview following the deadline.

Acquisitie naar aanleiding van deze vacature wordt niet op prijs gesteld