Professorship Circular Transition is part of the Centre of Expertise Sustainable & Circular Transitions and leads applied research on complex circular transition challenges within broader sustainability transitions. Our work contributes to improving professional practice, strengthening educational programmes, supporting regional transition ambitions, and generating new knowledge in the field of circular and sustainable development.

Meet our team

About the Professorship Circular Transitions

Professorship Circular Transition conducts practice-oriented (applied) research into complex circular and sustainability transition issues, using systems thinking and a multi-level, multi-stakeholder, and integral approach to economic, societal, and environmental dimensions of sustainability.

Our ambition is to conduct impactful research that creates value for all stakeholders by:

• improving professional practice by structurally embedding sustainability into business processes,
• enhancing the quality of educational programmes,
• supporting regional transition and policy-making processes,
• contributing to new knowledge creation, regional development, and broad social wellbeing.

A key focus of the professorship is the role of businesses as drivers of circular and sustainability transitions. We aim to lead applied research on managing integral value creation (economic, social, and environmental) by companies. Our research delivers new insights, tools, and methodologies that:

• support the assessment of societal and environmental value creation (or destruction) by companies;
• integrate impact information into strategic and operational decision-making for long-term integral value creation;
• enable communication and cooperation with stakeholders, and sustainability reporting.

The research addresses complex trade-offs in simultaneously optimizing financial, social, and environmental value along entire supply chains, using interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research approaches,  and a long-term and dynamic perspective. The professorship focuses on industries and sustainability challenges in the South of the Netherlands, with particular attention to manufacturing and high-tech companies, and aligns with the Strategic Knowledge and Innovation Agenda and relevant Top Sectors.

To strengthen our team, we are looking to attract a Senior Researcher.

This is how you make an impact

What will you be doing? 

• Participating in large-scale research consortia, ranging from regional to international projects in the field of applied techno-ethics related to social issues;
• Co-writing grant applications and publications about the research work;
• Teaching tasks at Fontys in consultation (beyond the scope of this research appointment).

  
What do we want from you?
We are looking for candidates with: 

• An enthusiastic and collaborative mindset;
• Ability to work together in a multidisciplinary environment;
• Managerial capacity, rich network and/or experience in writing research proposals and building consortia;
• Expertise on the following topics: sustainable business and management, circular business models, sustainability transitions, sustainability reporting, impact measurement and management;
• The working language within our professorship is both English and Dutch, so excellent command of the English language is essential.

Your education and background: 

• Completed relevant master degree, preferable a PHD degree;
• Demonstrated research experience in sustainability transitions, circular economy, impact measurement, business sustainability, or related fields;
• Experience with grant acquisition, project leadership, and publication is an advantage.  

Employment conditions

If you choose Fontys, you will naturally also choose very nice primary and secondary terms of employment and an appropriate salary. A sample of what we have to offer:

• Salary in scale 12 (min € 5.761,13 – max € 7.534,61)
• 8% holiday allowance and a year-end bonus of 8.3%
• Employment: Tijdelijk (1 jaar met uitzicht op verlenging)
• Around 50 days off (including public holidays)
• You make annual result and development agreements with your manager, where there is plenty of room and facilities to make the best use of your talents and develop further.

Curious about all terms of employment? Check our webpage and the Hoger Beroepsonderwijs HBO cao 2024-2025

Why work at Fontys

Fontys finds it important that all staff and students feel welcome. Diversity enriches our education, research and organisation. And contributes to a sustainable, inclusive and vital society. As this society is in a constant state of change, we, as a university of applied sciences, respond to it. With our 'Fontys for society' strategy, we are on our way to becoming a talent-driven, research-oriented and agile organisation. Because what leads to progress today is outdated tomorrow. It is important that we continuously renew, enrich and refresh our education. Only then will we know how to fulfil our social mission. Together. With you? Read more about Fontys University of Applied Sciences and our course on Fontys.nl

Practical information

We like to make things easy for you, the following is definitely going to help you with that.

• Don't wait too long to apply, this vacancy closes soon
• Address your application to: Biljana Pesalj, Lector
• Any questions about the vacancy? No problem. Ask them to Biljana Pešalj (T: +31885088150)
• Questions about the procedure can be addressed to Fontys Talentcentrum (HR&O), 08850 75366
• Date of talks: 11 maart (vanaf 13.30 uur)
• If we’re both positive, the start date will be: z.s.m. in overleg
• A compulsory assessment has been introduced at Fontys for anyone who will be performing work at Fontys, in the form of a Certificate of Good Conduct.
• Good to know: internal employees always have priority in our application processes.
   

Acquisition in response to this vacancy is not appreciated.