The Science, Technology and Society (STS) Unit at Graz University of Technology is looking for two PhD Candidates (30 hours a week; fixed-term employment for three years; position to be filled as of January 1st, 2023).
Your tasks: You will support the project HydroFRAME funded by the Austrian Science Fund FWF. In the project, the emergence of the German and British hydrogen strategies will be analysed to better understand the processes by which nations develop desirable visions of sociotechnical futures. You will be using qualitative as well as mixed method approaches to identify expectations and visions associated with the hydrogen strategies and shed light on the underlying discursive processes, competing narratives, as well as linkages to pre-existing energy imaginaries. Your work will be strongly linked to theoretical concepts on socio-technical change, including sociotechnical imaginaries, the sociology of expectations and the multi-level perspective. You will present your findings at scientific conferences and prepare articles to be published in internationally renowned journals.
Your profile:
- Master’s degree in sociology, political science, environmental studies, science technology and innovation studies, sustainable
development, or any other master’s degree with a focus on innovation or socio-technical change. - Very good knowledge of qualitative social science research methods, ideally in connection with discourse analytical approaches.
- Interest in climate and energy policy and strong motivation to engage with theoretical concepts on socio-technical change.
- Excellent knowledge of English, both written and spoken.
- High level of commitment and motivation for scientific work and well-developed teamworking skills.
- Experience in developing and carrying out research projects in sustainability transitions is of advantage.
What can we offer?
- The STS unit is a highly motivated interdisciplinary team of researchers dealing with the interaction between technology and society with the aim to support sustainable innovation and transformation processes.
- We offer an open and cooperative work style in a supporting and dynamic working environment.
- Through a collaboration with the Institute of Systems Sciences, Innovation and Sustainability Research at University of Graz, you will be part of an exciting interdisciplinary doctoral programme (gaining a Social Science PhD in sustainability-oriented management).
- You will be able to gain international experience through research stays in Germany and the UK.
- Graz is the second-largest city in Austria. With its population of 60,000 students making up a significant percentage of the city’s overall population, it has a relaxed student city atmosphere. It offers reasonable living costs and a well-developed public transport and cycling infrastructure.
- Your salary is based on the salary scheme of the Austrian Science Fund and currently amounts to € 2.300 gross/month for 30 hours a week. In addition, you will get annual special payments (Christmas and vacation payments) in the amount of two monthly salaries.
We are looking forward to receiving your application! To apply, please send an email to office.sts@tugraz.at containing (i) a cover letter summarizing why you think you are the optimal candidate for the position; (ii) your Curriculum Vitae (without photo); (iii) your record of transcripts, and (iv) at least one reference letter. Please combine all documents in a single pdf-file. The deadline for applications will be October 31st, 2022.
More information can be found here.