PhD in Adaptive Regulatory Frameworks for the Hydrogen Economy

Job description

Are you an enthusiastic lawyer and/or public administration scholar with a curious research mind? Would you like to use your expertise to make a direct contribution to one of the major societal challenges of our time: the energy transition? Then we are looking for you!

What are you going to do?

As a PhD candidate, you will investigate how the regulation of the hydrogen economy can be designed in such a way that the law is better able to evolve alongside the economic sector and society that it seeks to regulate than is currently the case. The legal framework governing the energy transition often has a “static” character. It regulates what exists rather than what could exist. In a sector in which innovation is still developing rapidly, such as the hydrogen economy, a static legal framework can have a constraining effect on the development of the economy and society.

An adaptive legal framework can prevent this problem, but it is not yet known what such a framework should entail or which adaptive instruments can effectively support the development of the hydrogen economy rather than constrain it.

Within an ongoing research project, we are developing a theory of an adaptive legal framework for the hydrogen economy. In this project, we aim to empirically test this theoretical framework in order to determine which interpretation and application of the theory can be effective in practice. In this research, theory will be translated into verifiable hypotheses concerning governance and regulatory instruments for the hydrogen economy. These hypotheses will be tested both quantitatively, on the basis of experiments, and qualitatively, through semi-structured interviews.

In developing this research, you will become part of an interdisciplinary research team within the HySuccess programme of GroenvermogenNL, in which you will work together with colleagues from different universities and disciplines.

Requirements

• You are a connector; that is, you gain energy from initiating and fostering collaboration with and between partners.
• You hold a Masters degree, preferably in energy law.
• You have experience conducting empirical research.
• You have knowledge of and experience with European law.
• Knowledge of Dutch law is considered an advantage.
• Proficiency in the Dutch language is considered an advantage.
• You have a pragmatic attitude and are able to familiarise yourself with new areas of law.
• You have a sharp legal mind, determination, and the drive to make complex matters accessible.

Conditions of employment

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

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.

Additional information

Do you have any questions or need more information?

Questions about the content of the job?
Lorenzo Squintani (Full Professor): L.Squintani@rug.nl

Questions about your application process?
Lorenzo Squintani (Full Professor): L.Squintani@rug.nl