PhD researcher for the UOC - European Commission Collaborative Doctoral Partnership (CDP) programme Universitat Oberta de Catalunya in Spain

The Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC) and the Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission are offering a Collaborative Doctoral Partnership (CDP) PhD researcher position in the broad area of economic aspects of energy governance.

The project addresses a highly topical policy challenge: how to improve decision-making about energy infrastructure investment when cost estimates and other key economic inputs are deeply uncertain. The research is especially relevant to emerging technologies with limited maturity, including small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs), but the work is intended to produce technology-neutral methods that can support policy across different energy options.

The PhD researcher will develop decision-support tools and a methodological framework for assessing the quality of key economic characteristics of new energy infrastructures across their lifecycle and in terms of their total contribution to society. The theoretical basis is post-normal science, with attention to social robustness, uncertainty, contested values, and inclusive quality assurance methods such as NUSAP and extended peer communities.

The training and research environment is highly interdisciplinary. In the first year, the candidate will be based at UOC in Barcelona, working within the Society, Technology & Culture PhD programme and the Urban Transformation and Global Change Laboratory, alongside a large interdisciplinary research community. From years 2 and 3, the contract continues at the JRC in Karlsruhe, within the Nuclear Science and Innovation for Energy and Health Unit of the Nuclear Safety and Security Directorate.

The project involves engagement with policy actors and international organisations, including EC policy services such as DG Energy, the European Industrial Alliance for SMRs, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and IRENA. This makes it a strong option for a candidate interested in the intersection of economics, energy policy, science and technology studies, and applied policy research.

Eligibility is targeted to pre-doctoral researchers. Applicants must hold a university degree equivalent to 300 ECTS credits, typically a combined Bachelor’s and Master’s level qualification, in social sciences or a closely related field. Relevant backgrounds include sociology, environmental studies, economics and energy economics, or science and technology studies. A minimum of one year of relevant experience is required, along with strong English language proficiency at C1 level or above. Candidates must not already hold a PhD and must be eligible under EU/Euratom administrative rules, including citizenship or a valid residence permit for an EU Member State or a Euratom signatory country.

The contract is full-time, fixed-term, and starts on 1 December 2026. The application deadline is 29 October 2026 at 23:59 (Europe/Madrid). Applications are submitted online through the UOC candidate portal, with a motivation letter and CV required in English.