The physical impact of climate change cuts across almost every social and institutional domain. One key domain is the field of housing. The housing sector is exposed to huge financial risk due to rotting foundations, extreme weather, and floods. Financial valuation practices for residential real estate fail to take these potential losses into account, setting the stage for misallocated resources and billions in climate-related damages. Everywhere, key stakeholders in housing policy and the financial system are positioning themselves to determine who will pay the price for damage to housing from climate change.
Combining a focus on housing, financial policy and climate risks, the Just Adapt project studies the question: How will financialized housing systems distribute the costs of climate change over homeowners, investors, housing corporations, banks, insurers and (of course) the government? In your PhD project you will develop a qualitative political economy approach to climate adaptation as it takes shape in the Dutch context.
What are you going to do
- you perform empirical qualitative research (e.g. in-depth interviews and policy analysis) on climate adaptation in the Netherlands;
- you will complete a PhD dissertation based on four scientific articles, to be submitted to leading academic journals. Some of these articles will be in collaboration with other team members (including the PIs);
- you will actively contribute to the (national and international) activities of the Just Adapt project, such as scientific conferences and networks as well as expert meetings with policy makers and stakeholders;
- you will assist with administrative responsibilities related to the project, such as the organization of workshops or other project events;
- you will contribute to the teaching program of the department;
- you will take active part in seminars of the program group and the department;
- your primary residence will be within commuting distance of the University of Amsterdam for the duration of the PhD project.
What do you have to offer
The Just Adapt project spans a wide range of disciplines, and therefore we are open to candidates from a range of disciplinary backgrounds and an interest in political science and human geography. The project seeks to develop a political economy perspective using qualitative research methods such as ethnographic fieldwork and policy analysis. It seeks to contribute to academic debates on housing, financial policy and climate adaptation. We are looking for an enthusiastic candidate with a strong academic training who develops their own vision on how to contribute to the project.
Your experience and profile:
- a completed MA or Research MA in political science, human geography, sociology, public administration, anthropology or one of the related social sciences;
- interest in topics related to housing, climate and finance;
- training in qualitative research methods (e.g. in-depth interviews, ethnographic fieldwork, policy analysis), and a willingness to develop additional methodological expertise;
- good research skills, as demonstrated by your MA thesis or other publications/assignments;
- excellent command of English and good Dutch proficiency (given the fieldwork);
- the ability to work independently as well as part of a team..
