Postdoc Understanding Social Dynamics in the Energy Transition via computational modelling with Agent Networks

University of Groningen; Groningen; On-site; EUR 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

End-of-year bonus 8.3%

Holiday allowance 8%

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

University of Groningen seeks a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher to study social aspects of the energy transition using computational modelling methods. The project combines agent-based opinion dynamics with LLM-based agent models and requires close collaboration with the University of Oldenburg.

The role focuses on expanding ABM to empirical settings, linking models to social networks, and testing hypotheses with empirical data and experiments where possible.

Qualifications

• PhD in sociology (or related discipline) with relevant computational sociology work.
• Publication record in peer-reviewed international journals.
• Demonstrable skills in computational sociology and ABM.
• Interest in social aspects of energy transition and literature on social influence processes.
• Experience with social network research and behavioral experiments or digital trace data.
• Collaborative, interdisciplinary research mindset and independence.
• Excellent command of English; German and Dutch desirable.

Responsibilities

• Develop ABM to study societal debates on energy transition.
• Link ABM with empirical data on social networks in local communities.
• Collaborate with German partners to align ABM with LLM-based models.
• Test hypotheses using empirical data or experiments or online data.

Skills

Agent-based modelling

Computational sociology

Python

NetLogo

Social networks data

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Independent work

Team player

English proficiency

German & Dutch desirable

Education

PhD in Sociology

Tools

NetLogo

Python

Job description

Job description

We are seeking a highly motivated researcher with demonstrable skills and experience in studying social aspects of the energy transition with computational modelling methods. The postdoc project is conducted in the framework of the project ECHO (Energy transition, Collective dynamics and Human Opinions in agent-networks), financed by both DFG and NWO. This project requires close collaboration between the project team at the Department of Sociology at RUG (PI prof. dr. Andreas Flache) and the project team at the Institute of Energy Informatics at the University of Oldenburg (PI prof. dr. Sebastian Lehnhoff).

What are you going to do?

The overall project focuses on modelling the dynamics of societal debates about the energy transition with two interconnected approaches, agent-based opinion dynamics models and agent-models based on LLM-agents. The part of the project conducted at RUG under the lead of Prof. Andreas Flache will focus in particular on the ABM / opinion dynamics aspect, linking models to empirical data on social networks in communities facing debates about local renewable energy initiatives. Comparison and, where possible, integration of the two modelling approaches is a core part of the project, requiring close collaboration with the German partner. The postdoc develops existing opinion dynamics ABM further to make them applicable to empirical settings relevant to societal debates about the energy transition, using simulation tools like NetLogo or Python. Further, in close collaboration with the entire project team, the postdoc will contribute to comparison and alignment of the opinion dynamics models with LLM-based agent models developed by the German project partner. Finally, the postdoc will contribute to empirical testing of hypotheses derived from the computational modelling approaches, using relevant empirical social network data or, depending on interest, skills and availability, behavioral experiments or online data.

Requirements

We are looking for candidates who meet the following requirements:

• A PhD degree in sociology (or a related discipline), preferably with a dissertation topic related to computational sociology.
• A relevant publication record related to the project topic, demonstrating your ability to publish in peer-reviewed international academic journals.
• Demonstrable skills and experience in computational sociology, especially agent-based computational modelling.
• Interest in and knowledge of research addressing social aspects of the energy transition, especially literature on social influence processes in this domain.
• Demonstrable skills in related empirical research, especially social network research and / or behavioral experiments or use of digital trace data.
• A clear interest in collaborative interdisciplinary research.
• Excellent command of the English language; command of German and Dutch is desirable.
• Ability to work independently and manage joint research activities.
• A team player with strong communication skills.

Conditions of employment

Fixed-term contract: A fixed-term contract of 1.0 FTE for the duration of 3 years.

What can you expect from us?

• 232 vacation hours per year, based on a 38-hour workweek (1.0 FTE). You can also work more or fewer hours in exchange for more or fewer free hours. For example, with a 40-hour workweek, you save 96 extra free hours, and with a 36-hour workweek, you lose 96 hours.
• End-of-year bonus of 8.3% and 8% holiday allowance.
• Extensive opportunities for personal and professional development.

Employer

University of Groningen At the University of Groningen (UG), researchers from all fields of academia and technology are working on academic challenges and societal questions. Lecturers prepare their students for meaningful careers within or outside the academic world. Interdisciplinary research and teaching, sharing of knowledge, collaboration with businesses, government institutions, and societal organizations are aspects that are of the utmost importance to this European top university. The UG aims to be an open academic community with an inclusive and safe working climate that invites you to add your value.

Department

Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences The Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences (GMW) excels in research and teaching in the areas of behaviour, thinking, learning, and participation in society. More than 4,500 students and approximately 650 staff address social questions and challenges that people experience in daily life. Our core focus is on individual and societal resilience and how to strengthen it. We focus on current themes such as health and wellbeing, sustainable living, learning and development, inclusive society, safe and healthy upbringing, and work and collaboration. If you would like to learn more about the Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences, visit rug.nl/gmw.

The successful candidate will be embedded in the Department of Sociology at RUG and the national-level interuniversity research and training center ICSt (Interuniversity Center of Social Science Theory and Methodology), a leading PhD training and research center in Dutch Sociology with ample opportunities for exchange and presentation of interim results at the research group, department and interuniversity level. Locally, the postdoc will be part of and contribute to the activities of the research cluster Norms and Networks at the Department of Sociology, led by Prof. Andreas Flache. In the DFG-NWO weave project, the postdoc will collaborate with the project team, including the PI's, Prof. Jacob Dijkstra at Sociology RUG, a PhD candidate located at the University of Oldenburg and research assistants. The postdoc will also contribute to the teaching program of the department (about 10% work time) in accordance with NWO requirements and faculty policies.

Additional information

Do you have any questions or need more information?

Questions about the content of the job?

Andreas Flache (Full Professor): [e-mail]

Questions about your application process?

Anita van der Hoek (Management/Office-assistant): [e-mail]