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How can more households be engaged in the energy transition, especially those less willing or able to take part? This PhD project investigates how individual concerns and behaviors are embedded in wider socio-demographic contexts and spread through social networks. Using survey and register data, you will develop typical household profiles, design an agent-based model, and test interventions in the applied cases in Dutch local neighborhoods. The results will deliver scalable, evidence-based tools for municipalities to accelerate the energy transition.

Your job

This PhD project is part of Social dYnamics in eNergy systems: Resilience, Governance, and policY (SYNERGY), funded by the Dutch Research Council. SYNERGY is a multidisciplinary consortium involving Utrecht ľ¹Ï¸£ÀûÓ°ÊÓ, TU/e, Tilburg ľ¹Ï¸£ÀûÓ°ÊÓ, ľ¹Ï¸£ÀûÓ°ÊÓ of Twente, TU Delft, TNO, and other partners.

This project focuses on household heterogeneity in local neighborhoods—profiling diverse households and applying network theory and computational approaches to study social dynamics that shape behaviour. Using survey and registry data, the project will map social networks and develop agent-based models linking household preferences to neighborhood outcomes. In close collaboration with local stakeholders, experiments will be conducted to test model predictions and interventions.

During the PhD, you will:

• Gain expertise in theory-driven empirical sociology and complexity approaches
• Learn to integrate survey data, network analysis, and agent-based modeling
• Develop strong skills in data analysis, modeling, and social experiments
• Collaborate with municipalities to design and evaluate social interventions
• Grow into an independent scientist while expanding your knowledge through your own research
• Contribute to a collaborative, enthusiastic, and respectful research environment in the Department of Sociology and the , and within the consortium of SYNERGY.

Your qualities

You are interested in answering fundamental sociological questions using state-of-the-art quantitative methods. Furthermore, you possess:

• A Master's degree in sociology or related field, including (but not limited to) social psychology or economics;
• A strong background in quantative methods;
• Resourcefulness and good organizational skills;

Furthermore your suitability is ideally exemplified by:

• Experience in social network analysis or agent-based modeling;
• Some programming experience, in Python, R or others.

Our offer

• a job for 1 year, with an extension to a total of four years upon successful assessment;
• a working week of 36 - 40 hours and a gross monthly salary between €3,059 and €3,881 in the case of full-time employment (salary scale P under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU));
• 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus;
• a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU.

In addition to the terms of employment laid down in the CAO NU, Utrecht ľ¹Ï¸£ÀûÓ°ÊÓ also offers a range of its own schemes for employees. This includes arrangements for professional development, various types of leave, and options for sports and cultural activities. You can also tailor your employment conditions through our Terms of Employment Options Model. In this way, we encourage you to keep investing in your personal and professional development. For more information, please visit Working at Utrecht ľ¹Ï¸£ÀûÓ°ÊÓ.

About us

A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht ľ¹Ï¸£ÀûÓ°ÊÓ, the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major strategic themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Pathways to Sustainability. .

The Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences is one of the leading faculties in Europe providing research and academic teaching in cultural anthropology, educational sciences, interdisciplinary social science, pedagogical sciences, psychology, and sociology. Almost 7,000 students are enrolled in a broad range of undergraduate and graduate programmes. The Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences has some 1,100 faculty and staff members, all providing their individual contribution to the training and education of young talent and to the research into and finding solutions for scientific and societal issues.

The faculty is located at near the historical city centre of Utrecht.

More information

For more information, please contact Jiamin Ou by j.ou@uu.nl.

Candidates for this vacancy will be recruited by Utrecht ľ¹Ï¸£ÀûÓ°ÊÓ.

Apply now

As Utrecht ľ¹Ï¸£ÀûÓ°ÊÓ, we want to be a home for everyone. We value staff with diverse backgrounds, perspectives and identities, including cultural, religious or ethnic background, gender, sexual orientation, disability or age. We strive to create a safe and inclusive environment in which everyone can flourish and contribute.

To apply, please send your curriculum vitae, including a letter of motivation, via the ‘apply now’ button.

Please note that international candidates that need a visa/work permit for the Netherlands require at least four months processing time after selection and acceptance. Our International Service Desk (ISD) can answer your questions about living in the Netherlands as international staff. Finding appropriate housing in or near Utrecht is your own responsibility, but the ISD may be able to advise you therewith. In case of general questions about working and living in The Netherlands, please consult the 

The first round of interviews takes place in November 2025. Our preferred start date is April 1, 2026, but we can accommodate a later date if necessary.

The application deadline is 31 October 2025.