The Organization Studies department at Tilburg University is inviting applications for a fully funded PhD position focused on the Governance of Energy Hub Platforms. This opportunity is part of the SYNERGY project, a collaborative research initiative funded by NWO, involving leading Dutch universities and societal partners. The project aims to explore how digital platforms can connect companies to contribute to decentralized, sustainable energy systems, with a particular focus on governance models, decision-making processes, and the social dynamics that influence the success of energy hubs.

The PhD candidate will be embedded in the Department of Organization Studies at Tilburg University, with supervision from Dr. Francesca Ciulli (Tilburg University), Prof. Anna J. Wieczorek (Eindhoven University of Technology), and Dr. Christina Bidmon (Utrecht University). The research will contribute to work package 2 of the SYNERGY project, examining how groups of business end-users can coordinate the generation, storage, and consumption of renewable energy through smartly controlled, decentralized energy systems known as energy hubs. Digital platforms play a crucial role in enabling energy sharing, reducing grid congestion, and enhancing sustainability within these hubs.

The project will investigate governance arrangements for energy hub platforms, including decision-making, coordination mechanisms, and the allocation of roles and risks among participants. Key research questions include the influence of internal social dynamics and local governments on governance models, and the impact of platform governance on the implementation of energy hubs. The candidate will have the opportunity to engage with energy hubs in Noord-Brabant and other regions, contributing both to academic knowledge and practical impact in the energy transition.

Tasks include literature review, data collection and analysis, writing three research papers for international journals, developing decision-making tools, organizing workshops, and participating in academic conferences and consortium meetings. The candidate will also be affiliated with the Academic Collaborative Center for Climate and Energy at Tilburg University and will regularly visit the co-supervisors’ institutions.

Applicants should have or be close to completing a relevant MSc degree (e.g., Organization Studies, Management, Business Administration, Public Governance, Data Science, Innovation Science, Transition Studies). Required skills include excellent English (C2) and Dutch (B2) communication, strong qualitative research and data analysis abilities, and a proactive, independent, and creative approach. Interest in inter-organizational collaboration, governance, digitalization, and the energy transition is essential.

The position offers a four-year contract (1.0 FTE), with a gross monthly salary starting at €3,059 and rising to €3,881, plus 8% vacation pay, 8.3% year-end bonus, over 8 weeks of vacation, hybrid working options, home and internet allowances, sustainable commuting reimbursement, pension with ABP, moving allowance, and a 30% tax-free allowance for eligible international employees. Funding for conferences and training is included.

Applications must be submitted online by January 4, 2026, including a motivation letter, CV, official MSc grade list, English writing sample (if thesis is in Dutch), and contact details of two referees. Applicants should state their Dutch proficiency (minimum B2) in their CV. The selection process includes two rounds of interviews, with the successful candidate ideally starting on March 1, 2026.

This is an excellent opportunity for candidates interested in organization studies, energy transition, governance, and digital platforms to contribute to impactful research in a collaborative and supportive environment at Tilburg University.