Solar PV technologies are a quickly growing element in the transition towards renewables-based energy systems. This includes not only the expansion of existing PV technologies and applications, but also the exploration of new types of PV and ways to integrate them in novel ways into buildings, vehicles or infrastructure.
As a PhD candidate you will study ongoing developments and future visions for novel PV applications from a socio-technical perspective with a view on the following questions: What are possible advantages and drawbacks, not only in terms of expected yield, efficiency, spatial requirements, but also flexibility to adjust to future developments and changing conditions, and with regard to fit and accessibility for different user groups and energy justice? How do citizens perceive novel PV applications, be it in their role as customers or as citizens exposed to an increasing and varied presence of solar technologies in their environment? And how will developments in the context (e.g. building, mobility, energy sector, policy and geopolitical developments) enable and constrain new solar PV applications and mediate their actual impacts?
The position is embedded in the national research and innovation programme SolarlabNL. The programme develops innovative ways to integrate solar PV into the built environment, vehicles, and infrastructure, and develops highly efficient and light-weight flexible solar cells. This is done in collaboration with Dutch companies that specialize in producing solar PV modules for non-standard applications. Thus, you will find an excellent environment to conduct societally relevant research in close contact with practitioners!
Information and application
Please apply before March 26,2025. The application should include:
* A motivation letter;
* A detailed CV, summarizing your education, previous work experience and contact details of at least 2 referees;
* Academic transcripts of all courses attended and grades acquired during your master and bachelor education.
For more information about this function, please contact dr. K.E. Konrad, email: k.e.konrad@utwente.nl, phone: +31 53 489 3906.
You can apply via the button below.
About the department
We deliver world-class interdisciplinary research, intensive education and high-impact practical interventions and consultation. We assess technological innovation, higher education policies and socio technical change, studying the past and anticipating the future. We work towards better governance of knowledge and innovation, addressing major societal challenges together with the players in the field.
You will join the Knowledge, Transformation & Society (KITES) section within the Technology, Policy & Society department. KiTeS is dedicated to analysing and improving the contribution of Knowledge to Transformations in Society to address intersecting societal and environmental challenges, including growing disparities and inequities, climate change, and biodiversity loss. Our group works across diverse disciplines and scholarly fields and draws on critical, historical, participatory, design-oriented, and arts-based methods and approaches. We work in different domains such as science and innovation policy, higher education, and environmental governance and we collaborate closely with policy makers, social movements and grassroots organisations, cultural institutions, scientists and engineers, and business and financial institutions. Guided by values of justice, pluralism, sustainability, and care, our work is aimed at creating spaces for collaboration, critical analysis, reflection, and learning.
About the organisation
The Faculty of Behavioral, Management and Social sciences (BMS) aims to play a key role in understanding, jointly developing and evaluating innovations in society. Technological developments are the engine of innovation. As a technical university that puts people first, we tailor them to human needs and behavior. We also ensure adequate governance at public and private level, and robust, inclusive and fair organizational structures. We do this by developing, sharing and applying high-quality knowledge in Psychology, Business Administration, Public Administration, Communication Sciences, Philosophy, Educational Sciences and Health Sciences. Our research and education in these disciplines revolves around tackling and solving societal challenges. The research programs of BMS are closely linked to the research of the UT institutes Mesa+ Institute for Nanotechnology, TechMed Center and Digital Society Institute.
As an employer, the Faculty of BMS offers work that matters. We equip you to create new possibilities for yourself and for our society. With us, you will become part of a leading technical university with increasing, positive social impact. We offer an open, inclusive and entrepreneurial atmosphere, in which we encourage you to make healthy choices, for example through our flexible, adaptable benefits.
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