Netherlands: Post-Doctoral Position for ERC Project: Green Industrial Policy in the Age of Rare Metals

Jul 8, 2022 | International Institute of Social Studies, Erasmus University Rotterdam
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ISS is looking for 1 Post-Doctoral Fellow on China’s resource-based industrial strategy. The objective is to offer a unique opportunity to create a team who will become leading experts in the field of political economy of mining and industrial policy with some clear regional/empirical expertise.

Job description

Since February 2021, Dr Jewellord T. Nem Singh, Assistant Professor in International Development at ISS has worked on a 5-year Programme, financed by a starting grant of the European Research Council, to implement the research project ‘Green Industrial Policy in the Age of Rare Metals: A Trans-regional Comparison of Growth Strategies in Rare Earths Mining’. The project aims to examine the globalized supply and demand for rare earths – from mining, processing, manufacturing, use and recycling – to have a closer scrutiny of mining both as a strategy for industrialization and as an integral part of contemporary efforts towards a sustainable supply of raw materials.

As part of this research project, ISS is looking for 1 Post-Doctoral Fellow on China’s resource-based industrial strategy. The objective is to offer a unique opportunity to create a team who will become leading experts in the field of political economy of mining and industrial policy with some clear regional/empirical expertise.

For more specific information about the project and the position, visit: https://nemsingh.com/research-projects/grip-arm/Opens external

Post-Doctoral Fellow, China’s resource-based industrial strategy 

As post-doctoral fellow, you will be responsible for studying the industrial restructuring of the critical minerals—especially rare earths elements—and its linkages to advanced manufacturing sectors in China. The Post Doctoral Fellow is expected to incorporate a distinctive perspective on the New Silk Road campaign and the nascent body of scholarship on ‘Global China’ in order to analyze the global restructuring taking place in the context of China’s ascent in the international order.

To contribute substantially on the project, the Fellow is expected to be well-versed in multiple techniques, which includes but not exclusively about elite interviewing, surveys or other research techniques for micro-level analysis, and global value chains (GVC) analysis, to name a few.

It is expected that extensive fieldwork will be conducted in China, which will be supported by Tsinghua University. The prospective candidate may propose different pathways for his/her own research, for example, by exploring potential comparative analysis within China, proposing a distinctive yet complementary approach to analyze industrialization, or undertaking value chain analysis of specific critical minerals and end user manufacturing/high technology sectors.

Work arrangement

It is imperative that the Fellow is present at ISS during all research uptake activities, apart from the fieldwork period in China. The Fellow is also expected to attend the monthly team meetings, one-to-one supervisory consulations, and other relevant activities requiring academic support. Fieldwork arrangements can be discussed but must be agreed with very clear terms with the PI.  

Requirements

  • A completed PhD degree (or recently submitted PhD thesis) in political science, political economy, and/or development studies;
  • Evidence of a track record or working in the field of political economy and economic policy analysis, with emphasis on industrial policy, global value chains, and/or natural resource governance and politics;
  • Proven track record of conducting fieldwork research at both national and regional levels, employing multiple methodological techniques;
  • Fluency in English and Chinese is a requirement;
  • Excellent communication skills to work in a teamwork setting, and a proactive, versatile and independent attitude in completing tasks;
  • Work experience and/or contacts with government, international organizations, or research institutions is an advantage;
  • Experience in organizing high impact research activities is highly desirable.

Conditions of employment

Fixed-term contract: 2 years.

An internationally oriented and varied job in an enthusiastic team, with good working conditions in accordance with the Collective Labor Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU).

The start date of this position is as soon as possible, and you will be based at The International Institute of Social Studies in The Hague. The successful candidate will be offered a temporary fulltime contract for one year, at the level of Post-doc with Erasmus University Rotterdam. After a good evaluation and proven suitability for the position the contract will be extended for another year.

In accordance with the conditions applied at Erasmus University Rotterdam as indicated in the Collective Labour Agreement (CAO NU) of the Dutch universities, the salary is dependent on the candidate’s experience and is set at a maximum of CAO NU scale 11 with a minimum of € 3.974, - and a maximum of € 5.439,- gross per month, on a fulltime basis. In addition, EUR pays an 8% holiday allowance and an end-of-year payment of 8.3% and offers excellent secondary benefits, like a very generous leave scheme. Furthermore, EUR is affiliated with ABP for the pension provision, and we offer partially paid parental leave. Employees can also use EUR facilities, such as the Erasmus sports center and the University library.

EUR offers a Dual Career Programme (DCP) to assist the life partners of new academic staff (on pay-roll) in finding employment in The Netherlands. The programme is offered in close cooperation with nearby universities of Delft and Leiden.

Employer

Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR)

Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR) is an internationally oriented university with a strong social orientation in its education and research. Inspired by the dynamic and cosmopolitan city of Rotterdam and the Rotterdam-The Hague region, our scientists and students work in close collaboration with internal and external parties to solve global social challenges. Our mission is therefore "Creating positive societal impact". Our academic education is intensive, active and application oriented. Our research increasingly takes place in multidisciplinary teams, which are strongly intertwined with international networks. With our research impact and thanks to the high quality of education, EUR ranks amongst the top European universities. Erasmian values ​​function as our internal compass and make Erasmus University recognizable to the outside world: engaged with society, world citizen, connecting, entrepreneurial and open-minded.  www.eur.nl

Department

International Institute of Social Studies (ISS)

The International Institute of Social Studies (ISS) is a leading academic center for international development studies. While based in The Hague, the ISS is part of Erasmus University Rotterdam. ISS was established in 1952 and is a post-graduate institute of policy-oriented critical social science and development-oriented research. ISS brings together a highly diverse international community of scholars and students from both the global South and the global North, on average originating from over 50 different countries. The Institute brings together people, ideas and insights in a multi-disciplinary setting which nurtures, fosters and promotes critical thinking and innovative research on fundamental social problems. The strong partnerships with organizations and individuals in developing countries make up a vibrant network where we co-create knowledge so that teaching and research remain socially relevant. Key to the ISS philosophy and practices is the wish to contribute to achieving social justice and equity on a global level.

Additional information

For further information regarding the positions please also contact Dr. Jewellord Nem Singh, at nemsingh@iss.nl

Please make sure your application abides by the following instructions:

- Please mention in the subject line “Post-Doctoral Position ERC GRIP ARM”.

- Make sure all required documents are combined in one PDF in the order mentioned below;

To be considered for the Post-Doctoral position, applicants must submit:

  • Proof of having obtained a PhD degree in one of the following disciplines—Political Science, Political Economy, and/or Development Studies, at an internationally recognized university or Institute for Higher Education, as evidenced degrees and diplomas, and by copies of academic transcripts;
  • A fully-developed research proposal (maximum 2-3 pages excluding references) outlining your proposed approach in relation to the ERC project;
  • A 2-page motivation letter outlining your achievements, research interests, and statement of purpose;
  • A short CV, including full details of past degrees and results, publications and relevant work experience, and contact details of two referees.

Timeline

Deadline for submitting your application: 11 August 2022. An initial  online interview with shortlisted candidates will be held in the week of September 19-23, 2022.

If considered necessary, a selection of shortlisted candidates may be invited for subsequent in-person interviews followed by a seminar style presention at ISS in the week of October 10-15, 2022.