PhD Position in Governance, Contestation and Justice in the Dutch Green Hydrogen Transition at Utrecht University

PhD in Governance, Contestation and Justice in the Dutch Green Hydrogen Transition

Energy Transition, Policy and Sustainability Governance
Utrecht University
Utrecht, Netherlands
Application Deadline: 20 March 2026

Fully Funded PhD in Green Hydrogen Governance and Just Energy Transition

The Utrecht University invites applications for a four-year PhD position at the Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development, within the Faculty of Geosciences.

This doctoral research focuses on the governance, justice, and societal contestation surrounding the Dutch green hydrogen transition. As the Netherlands aims to reach 4 GW of electrolysis capacity by 2030, this project investigates the social, political, and institutional dynamics shaping this energy transformation.

The position is embedded in the Department of Sustainable Development, across the Innovation Studies and Energy & Resources sections.

Research Focus: Governance and Justice in the Green Hydrogen Transition

While technical and economic challenges of green hydrogen are widely studied, less attention has been given to the governance structures and justice implications of this transition.

This PhD explores:

• How the Dutch government steers green hydrogen development

• Which policy pathways are prioritized and by whom

• How industry, policymakers, and society co-construct innovation agendas

• How tensions and contestations emerge in sustainability transitions

• Whether new energy systems create or reinforce social injustices

The project is part of a large research consortium examining the social acceptability of green hydrogen and contributes critical insights into the co-evolution of technology, policy, and society.

Academic Field and Research Domain

This PhD lies primarily in:

Primary Field

• Sustainability Transitions and Environmental Governance

Core Disciplines

• Public Administration

• Political Science

• Innovation Studies

• Science and Technology Studies (STS)

• Energy Policy

Applied Research Areas

• Green hydrogen policy

• Just energy transition

• Climate governance

• Industrial decarbonization

• Transformative innovation policy

The research contributes to broader debates on net-zero transitions, decarbonization strategies, and institutional change.

Research Themes

Key conceptual areas include:

• Governance of socio-technical transitions

• Policy directionality and state steering

• Legitimacy and democratic accountability in innovation

• Distributional justice in energy transitions

• Institutional dynamics of climate policy

The project critically examines whether green hydrogen development supports a just and inclusive sustainability transition, or whether it risks producing new inequalities.

Candidate Profile

Applicants should have:

• An MSc or MA in Public Administration, Political Science, Governance, Innovation Studies, Science and Technology Studies, or a related social science field

• Strong interest in climate change, sustainability transitions, and energy policy

• Experience with qualitative empirical research methods

• Ability to work independently and in interdisciplinary teams

• Strong communication skills and stakeholder engagement capacity

• Proficiency in English

• Interest in academic teaching

Motivated candidates who do not meet all listed requirements are encouraged to apply.

Employment Conditions

• Four-year PhD position (initial one-year contract with extension upon positive evaluation)

• 32–40 hours per week

• Gross monthly salary: €3,059 to €3,881 (full-time scale P)

• 8% holiday allowance

• 8.3% year-end bonus

• Pension scheme and partially paid parental leave

• Professional development support and flexible employment conditions

The position is intended to result in a doctoral dissertation within four years.

Research Environment

The PhD will be conducted at the Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development, a leading research institute within Utrecht University.

The Faculty of Geosciences hosts approximately 3,400 students and 720 staff, working across Earth Sciences, Human Geography & Spatial Planning, Physical Geography, and Sustainable Development.

Utrecht University’s strategic research themes include:

• Pathways to Sustainability

• Institutions for Open Societies

• Life Sciences

• Dynamics of Youth

The university fosters interdisciplinary collaboration and international research excellence.

Career Prospects

Graduates of this PhD will develop expertise in:

• Energy and climate governance

• Sustainability transitions theory

• Just transition frameworks

• Innovation and industrial policy

• Environmental public policy

Career opportunities include academia, climate policy advisory roles, government ministries, sustainability think tanks, and international organizations working on energy transitions.

Study and Work in Utrecht, Netherlands

Utrecht is a central academic hub in the Netherlands, offering a dynamic research environment and strong connections to European sustainability policy networks.

This PhD in Governance and Justice in the Dutch Green Hydrogen Transition is ideal for candidates interested in climate policy, sustainability governance, and the social dimensions of energy system transformation.