Junior Researcher 'Mapping for Climate Resilience'

Introduction

Are you interested in doing participatory research on how local communities in Rotterdam South relate to climate adaptation? Do you have a keen interest in the role of communities in urban development and sustainability? We are looking for a junior researcher to join our project ‘Mapping for Climate Resilience - a Collaborative Approach’.

Job description

The project  ‘Mapping for Climate Resilience – a Collaborative Approach’  focuses on the perspectives of local communities on decision-making processes around climate adaptation in Rotterdam South. The interdisciplinary project aims to capture the perceptions and experiences of communities of those processes, complementing existing climate risk maps through the use of creative methods.

We are seeking a highly motivated and skilled researcher to support our team in a wide range of research activities. We particularly welcome recent MSc (/BSc) graduates who are interested in doing social research in Rotterdam-South and want to gain experience in academia. The ideal candidate will have a background in sociology, urbanism, cultural studies or a related discipline with a passion for engaged, participatory research methods; is interested in climate adaptation and social change; and a strong communicator. You will assist with literature review, communication with a wide variety of stakeholders, support in the facilitation of workshops for data collection and the development of embodied methods. Further, spatial analysis and mapping will be part of your activities.

The project brings together existing data -sources and projects in the area and focuses on a case of climate adaptation involving multiple stakeholders. Accordingly, a series of ‘mutual learning experiences’ (i.e. workshops or other sessions) between residents and other climate adaptation stakeholders will engage in a dialogue around the notions of trust, agency, control and stewardship. The resulting maps function as ‘boundary objects’ among various stakeholders involved in climate change strategies for Rotterdam, while aiming to enhance residents' ownership in urban climate decision-making. 

The junior researcher will be positioned at the Department of Arts and Culture Studies of the Erasmus School of History, Culture and Communication and will carry out the following tasks:

• Assist in the design, implementation, and facilitation of mutual learning exercises’ (i.e. workshops or other sessions);
• Support data preprocessing and analysis, including mapping and designing engagement tools;
• Collaborate with team members in preparing research presentations, reports, and publications;
• Help maintain research equipment and manage data integrity and confidentiality.

Job requirements

To be eligible, a candidate should hold:

• Master's degree in social sciences, urbanism or a related field;
• Strong interest in participative research methods;
• Fluent command of the Dutch language in spoken and written word;
• Familiarity with literature on climate adaptation and urban development is a plus;
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail;
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in a research environment;
• Familiarity with different neighborhoods in Rotterdam South are plus.

Employment conditions and benefits

We offer you an internationally oriented and varied job in an enthusiastic team, with excellent working conditions in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU).

The start date of this position is as soon as possible in early 2025. The salary is € 3.345 to a maximum of € 3.502 gross per month, scale 10 on a full-time basis (38 hours), in accordance with the CAO-NU. You will be partially based at Campus Woudestein - Rotterdam, in Erasmus School of History, Culture and Communication (ESHCC), partially working from home, and partially in the South of Rotterdam in our temporary office at Hillevliet 90. This position is for 0.45 fte. The contract is offered for a period of 7 months.

Everything else we offer you, you can find below!

-        Everything you need for a good work-life balance: the option to work from home in consultation with your manager, 41 days of paid leave with a 40 hour contract, 8% holiday pay and an 8.3% end-of-year bonus, and a significant discount on a subscription for our on-campus sports centre!

-        Sustainable, inclusive and diverse work environment with an open culture, where you can be yourself and we pay attention to each other and to the world around us. Make the most of our bicycle budget, or join networks such as Young@EUR, FAME, QuEUR, or Young Erasmus Academy.

-        Time and space for your development in the broadest sense: development days and a personal career budget, foreign exchange opportunities with most costs paid by EUR, and free access to our university library.

-        Good pension with ABP that EUR contributes 2/3rds towards, discounts on various collective insurances with Zilveren Kruis Achmea, Loyalis, and Allianz, and compensation for travel, working from home and home internet use.

-        Are you currently combining your job with parenthood, or do you want to do so in the future? EUR offers partially paid parental leave and fully paid additional birth leave for partners, and our campus features a daycare.

Employer

Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR) is an internationally oriented university with a strong social orientation in its education and research, as expressed in our mission ‘Creating positive societal impact’. EUR is home to 4.100 academics and professionals and almost 33.000 students from more than 140 countries. Everything we do, we do under the credo The Erasmian Way – Making Minds Matter. We’re global citizens, connecting, entrepreneurial, open-minded, and socially involved. These Erasmian Values function as our internal compass and create EUR’s distinctive and recognizable profile. From these values, with a broad perspective and with an eye for diversity, different backgrounds and opinions, our employees work closely together to solve societal challenges from the dynamic and cosmopolitan city of Rotterdam. Thanks to the high quality and positive societal impact of our research and education, EUR can compete with the top European universities. www.eur.nl.

Faculty / Institute / Central service

The Erasmus School of History, Culture and Communication (ESHCC) is part of Erasmus University Rotterdam. The school has three departments: History,  Arts and Culture and Media & Communication. There are approximately 2500 students and 220 employees.

ESHCC offers high quality education, based on scientific research, at the intersection of the Humanities and Social Sciences. We teach our ambitious, Dutch and international students in a stimulating learning environment. After graduation, they will have acquired the knowledge, insight and skills to make an important and inspiring contribution to an increasingly international society in which diversity plays a major role.

The ESHCC also has an ambitious research agenda. We want to strengthen our involvement in multidisciplinary research, expand the share of external funding in our total research funding and increase our social impact. ESHCC is working towards one research institute, the Erasmus Institute for Media, Culture, History and Society (ERMeCHS).

ERMeCHS (Erasmus Research Institute for Media, Culture, History & Society) is a research centre located within the Erasmus School of History, Culture and Communication at Erasmus University Rotterdam. The Centre was founded in 2023, as a merger of former research centres ERMeCC and History @ Erasmus, by members of the Departments of Media and Communication, Arts and Culture Studies and History. Researchers at the Centre are dedicated to carrying out interdisciplinary research on media, communication, culture, history, and society.

Additional information

About Erasmus University Rotterdam

About Erasmus School of History, Culture and Communication

About ERMeCHS

Applying

To apply, please submit your resume, a motivation letter of max 1 page, one potential referee (no letters of recommendation are required at this stage) before the vacancy closing date.

In your motivation letter, please describe your interest in the position and how your background aligns with the role.

For more information about this vacancy, please contact dr. Janna Michael via Michael@eshcc.eur.nl 

The selection committee will invite a small number of candidates for an interview.

Persons of all gender identities or expressions, sexual orientations, religions, ethnicities, ages, neurodiversities, functional impairments, citizenships, or any other aspect are welcome to apply and join the EUR community.

We look forward to receiving your application.