Introduction

We are seeking a Postdoctoral Researcher for a 24-month appointment (0.8–1.0 FTE) within the Department of Applied Economics, Behavioural Economics section, at Erasmus School of Economics (ESE). The position is embedded in Work Package 3 of the ESCH-R project and focuses on designing, implementing, and evaluating behavioural interventions that support the transition towards circular healthcare in hospitals.

The preferred starting date is no later than 1 January 2027; an earlier start date can be discussed.

Apply for this position.

Job Description

The Dutch healthcare sector is responsible for approximately 7% of national CO₂ emissions and generates substantial amounts of material waste, with hospitals among the most resource-intensive environments. In line with the Dutch Climate Agreement, the sector faces an urgent challenge to transform towards more sustainable and circular forms of healthcare.

The transdisciplinary ESCH-R project brings together hospitals, universities, and industrial partners to accelerate this transition. By combining expertise from behavioural sciences, healthcare, sustainability, design, and implementation research, the consortium develops and evaluates innovative solutions to reduce the environmental impact of hospital care. Recent ESCH-R projects have identified intensive care units and operating theatres as key environmental hotspots and have highlighted the role of behavioural change in enabling circular healthcare practices.

The Postdoctoral Researcher will conduct field experiments aimed at promoting circular behaviour in hospital care. The position combines applied behavioural science research with close collaboration with healthcare professionals and institutional stakeholders.

Key responsibilities include:

• Designing and conducting field experiments and intervention studies in collaboration with healthcare professionals and institutional stakeholders;
• Developing intervention protocols grounded in behavioural science and research on circular hospital care;
• Analysing and publishing research findings in peer-reviewed journals;
• Contributing to consortium reports and stakeholder communication;
• Undertaking a limited teaching assignment (10% of time), for example supervising theses or supporting a course (the exact responsibilities can be discussed with the supervisors).

The preferred starting date is no later than 1 January 2027; an earlier start date can be discussed.

Requirements

The ideal candidate is proactive, well-organised, an excellent communicator, and comfortable working in complex multidisciplinary environments. We are looking for someone who enjoys combining insights from different strands of literature and translating academic knowledge into practical interventions that contribute to the transition towards circular healthcare. The candidate will work closely with researchers, healthcare professionals, policymakers, and operational stakeholders within the Dutch healthcare system.

As the field experiments will take place in Dutch hospitals, fluency in Dutch (C2 level) is required.

Requirements

• A PhD in behavioural, experimental, health, or sustainability economics; health, social, experimental, or organisational psychology; healthcare management; public health; or a related field;
• Experience conducting and analysing field experiments, intervention studies, and/or applied behavioural science research;
• Excellent organisational and project management skills;
• Strong communication skills and experience engaging with stakeholders;
• Strong academic writing skills and a publication-oriented mindset;
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in interdisciplinary teams;
• Experience with the Dutch healthcare sector, preferably hospital care;
• Affinity with sustainability, circularity, and/or healthcare innovation;
• Fluency in Dutch (required) and strong English communication skills.

An advantage (considered a plus)

• Experience with sustainability and/or circularity transitions;
• Experience with implementation challenges in healthcare;
• Experience collaborating with hospitals and healthcare professionals.

Employment Conditions

We offer an internationally oriented and varied position within an enthusiastic team, with excellent employment conditions in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU).

Your workplace will be the Woudestein Campus at Erasmus School of Economics (ESE). The appointment is for 0.8–1.0 FTE. The salary depends on your experience and qualifications and ranges from a minimum of €4,728 to a maximum of €6,433 gross per month (salary scale 11) for a full-time appointment (38 hours per week), in accordance with the CAO-NU.

More information about our employment benefits:

• Everything you need for a healthy work–life balance: the opportunity to work partly from home in consultation with your supervisor, 41 days of paid leave per year based on a 40-hour working week, 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% end-of-year bonus, as well as a substantial discount on a subscription to our campus sports centre;
• A sustainable, inclusive, and diverse working environment with an open culture where you can be yourself, and where we care about each other and the world around us. Make the most of our bicycle scheme or join networks such as Young@EUR, FAME, QuEUR, or the Young Erasmus Academy;
• Time and opportunities for your personal and professional development, including development days and a personal career budget, opportunities for international exchange with most costs covered by EUR, and free access to our university library;
• A good pension scheme through ABP, with EUR contributing two-thirds of the pension premium, discounts on various collective insurance schemes through Zilveren Kruis Achmea, Loyalis, and Allianz, and allowances for commuting, working from home, and home internet costs;
• Combining your job with parenthood, now or in the future? EUR offers partially paid parental leave and fully paid additional birth leave for partners, and a childcare facility is available on campus.

Employer

Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR) is an internationally oriented university with a strong societal focus in education and research. Our mission is therefore “Creating positive societal impact.” More than 4,100 employees work at EUR, and nearly 33,000 students from 140 countries participate in our academic programmes. Everything we do is guided by The Erasmian Way – Making Minds Matter.

We are global citizens: connecting, entrepreneurial, open-minded, and socially engaged. These Erasmian Values serve as our internal compass and make Erasmus University recognisable and distinctive to the outside world. Guided by these values, with an open perspective and attention to diversity, different backgrounds, and viewpoints, our employees work together closely to address societal challenges from the dynamic and cosmopolitan city of Rotterdam.

Thanks to the high quality and positive societal impact of our education and research, as well as our distinctive mindset, EUR ranks among the leading universities in Europe.

www.eur.nl

Faculty / Institute / Department

Erasmus School of Economics (ESE) is a leading economics faculty in the Netherlands. The faculty has a strong international reputation and is committed to research excellence. In addition, it provides high-quality education at bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD levels.

Much of the research conducted at Erasmus School of Economics is policy-relevant, has societal impact, and is characterised by a strong research culture, extensive research resources, and a relatively low teaching burden.

www.eur.nl/en/ese

Research Group

Within the Department of Applied Economics, Behavioural Economics (BE) section, at Erasmus School of Economics (ESE) in Rotterdam, we are committed to stimulating innovation, advancing knowledge, and making a positive contribution to society.

We believe that excellent education and research can only thrive through diversity in thought, culture, and experience. Our community values inclusivity and collaboration, and we are committed to providing a supportive environment for all members.

The BE group offers a vibrant and highly collaborative working environment, a strong focus on top-level academic publications, and a broad range of research interests covering a large part of the Behavioural Economics field.

Researchers in the group are members of the Tinbergen Institute, one of Europe’s leading research institutes and graduate schools in economics, econometrics, and finance (www.tinbergen.nl). The group is also part of the Erasmus Research Institute of Management (www.erim.eur.nl), where its members collaborate with researchers from Rotterdam School of Management (RSM), one of the world’s leading business schools.

Additional Information

For questions about the research project, please contact the postdoctoral supervisors:

Dr Sophie van der Zee (Behavioural Economics; vanderzee@ese.eur.nl) or Dr Maike Tietschert (Social and Medical Sciences; tietschert@eshpm.eur.nl).

For questions regarding the application procedure, please contact Linda Klaver (Operations Manager) at om-ae@ese.eur.nl.

Application

Please submit your complete application by 31 July 2026. Applications will be reviewed by the selection committee throughout the period that this vacancy is open. We look forward to receiving your application!

People of all gender identities or expressions, sexual orientations, religions, ethnic backgrounds, ages, forms of neurodiversity, disabilities, nationalities, and other characteristics are warmly encouraged to apply and become part of the EUR community.