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

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

Job summary

University of Groningen invites applications for a postdoctoral researcher in sociology to study social aspects of the energy transition using agent-based modelling and LLM-based agents.

The project ECHO brings together teams in Groningen and Oldenburg; you will develop ABM, connect models to empirical social network data, and compare approaches with the German partner, contributing to interdisciplinary research and international collaboration.

Qualifications

• PhD in sociology (or related field) with a computational or data-driven focus.
• Strong publication record in peer-reviewed journals.
• Demonstrable skills in computational sociology, especially agent-based modelling.
• Interest in social aspects of energy transition and social influence processes.
• Experience with social network research and/or behavioral experiments or digital trace data.
• Ability to work in an interdisciplinary, collaborative setting.
• Excellent English; German and Dutch skills desirable.
• Ability to work independently and manage joint research activities; strong communication.

Responsibilities

• Develop ABM to empirical settings and link models to data coming from social networks.
• Compare ABM with LLM-based agent models and align with the German partner.
• Conduct empirical testing using social network data or experiments or online data as available.
• Collaborate closely with project team in Groningen and the Institute of Energy Informatics in Oldenburg.

Skills

Agent-based modelling

Computational sociology

Social influence processes

Social network research

Empirical research methods

Team collaboration

Communication skills

English proficiency

Education

PhD in sociology

Tools

NetLogo

Python

Job description

Sociology » Social shaping of technology

Sociology » Societal behaviour

Organisation/Company University of Groningen Research Field Sociology » Social shaping of technology Sociology » Societal behaviour Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Application Deadline 19 Nov 2026 - 23:00 (UTC) Country Netherlands Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Not Applicable Hours Per Week 38.0 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer 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.

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.

Additional Information

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.

Selection process

Interested?

The selection interviews will take place November 30, 2027 (afternoon). Depending on outcomes of the first round of interviews, there may not be a second round.

Information about applying

When scheduling meetings, we will take your schedule into account as much as possible. The University of Groningen considers social safety important. We strive to be a university where staff and students feel respected and at home, regardless of differences in background, experiences, perspectives, and identity. For more information, see also our page about our diversity policy .

Our selection procedure follows the guidelines of the NVP application code

Acquisition is not appreciated.

Additional comments

Do you have any questions or need more information?

Questions about the content of the job?
Andreas Flache (Full Professor): [e-mail]