Organisation/Company Fundació per a la Universitat Oberta de Catalunya Research Field Sociology Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions Other Positions Country Spain Application Deadline 18 Jun 2025 - 23:59 (Europe/Madrid) Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 38,5 Offer Starting Date 1 Jul 2025 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Other EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No
Offer Description
We are seeking to recruit pre-doctoral researcher for the UOC's TURBA_LAB research group.
The PhD project will be developed in a key area of the science-policy interface: the economic aspects of energy governance. Decision-making with regard to energy infrastructure relies, among other factors, on the estimation of economic characteristics, such as cost estimates, and is a field characterised by deep uncertainty. This is described in post-normal science as a situation in which “facts are uncertain, values are in dispute, stakes are high and decisions are urgent.” In post-normal science, quality is not reduced to metrics or procedural standards but is understood as robustness across perspectives, transparency about uncertainties, and responsiveness to diverse values and knowledge systems. Post-normal science introduces inclusive quality assurance mechanisms, such as NUSAP and extended peer communities.
Responsibilities
* During the first year, the selected candidate will work at UOC developing the methodological framework to assess the quality of published figures (model-based or other) of key economic characteristics of new energy infrastructures, informed by a post-normal science approach. The framework may include parameters such as supporting empirical evidence, proxies, theoretical understanding, models used to represent underlying mechanisms, plausibility of results and degree of scientific consensus.
* Next, the quality assessment methodology developed will be tested and refined via different case studies reflecting the entire spectrum of the quality of published figures on investment costs for new power plants, with a focus on new nuclear builds and small modular reactors (SMRs) as well as other forms of power generation. Collaboration with EC policy services (e.g. DG Energy), the European Industrial Alliance for SMRS and with IRENA (International Renewable Energy Agency) will be sought. Specific case studies will be confirmed depending on access to data and cost estimation models, as well as policy interests defined by the JRC Scientific Unit.
* In the third and final phase, technology-specific procedures for quality assessment and for the science-policy interface will be developed. During the second and third phases, the candidate will be hosted at the JRC.
The successful candidate will be awarded a temporary full-time contract lasting twelve months. The scheduled start date is 1 July.
For work on site, the principal location will be the UOC Campus, at Rambla del Poblenou 154-156, Barcelona. At the UOC, we work with an open working model that combines remote working with work on-site, according to organizational needs and the nature of the tasks involved.
About the UOC
A leader in e-learning, our pioneering university is a digital native with global reach and a mandate for public service. We've been providing accredited, high-quality online education for the last 30 years, and our mission is lifelong development of people's talent. We conduct research with a transformative approach to generate social and economic impact.
At the UOC, we're not all the same. And this works very much in our favour. The differences between who we are and what our experiences and ideas are make us stronger. In our mission to work with the best talent, we do all we can to ensure equal opportunities, ignoring aspects such as gender, age, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or any other physical, personal or social aspect other than merit and abilities. Likewise, we will assess any reasonable adjustments that candidates require in order to put themselves forward for the position. Contact us at seleccio@uoc.edu if, at any stage of the selection process, you need some form of adaptation.
The UOC's recruitment and selection processes are based on the principles of Open, Transparent and Merit-based Recruitment (OTM-R).
* Hold an official university degree equivalent to 300 ECTS credits (usually a combination of a bachelor's degree and a master's degree).
* Academic degree in Social Sciences (in the broad sense), with training in at least one of the following fields and methodologies: Science and Technology studies; Sociology; Environmental studies; Energy Economics; and Post-normal Science.
* Proficiency in basic office automation tools.
* Demonstrated proficiency in English at C1 level or above (unless a native speaker or graduate of a university programme taught in English).
Also of interest:
* Required Application Documents: Motivation letter outlining your research interests and alignment with the project, curriculum Vitae (CV) and one recommendation letter.
* Knowledge of the UOC's educational model, structure, systems and processes.
Languages ENGLISH Level Excellent
Years of Research Experience None
Additional Information
* You'll be joining an organization with an open working model that combines teleworking with working on site.
* You'll be working in an environment where everyone has equal opportunities and equal access to resources and people, regardless of their location or teleworking choices.
* You'll be provided with the computer equipment and ergonomic material you need to work both from home and on site at the UOC.
* You'll have training possibilities to continue your professional development.
* You'll finish work early on Fridays.
* You'll have 24 days of vacation, 9 personal leave days and 4 UOC holidays.
* You'll be able to work reduced summer hours (35 hours a week), subject to organizational requirements.
* You'll have well-being benefits such as activities to look after your health, a medical service, a physiotherapy service and, if required, assessment and adaptation of your workplace.
Selection process
To take part in the selection process, you must register as a candidate in the Join our team section of our website ( www.uoc.edu ). Once you have registered, complete your profile in the candidate section in order to submit your application.
Additional comments
This contract is funded by the UOC in relation to the Collaborative Doctoral Partnership Programme (CDP) 2025.
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