University of Amsterdam
5 days ago
PhD Position in Strategising for the Green Urban Transition in Amsterdam University of Amsterdam in Netherlands
Degree Level
PhD
Field of study
Environmental Science
Funding
Full funding availableDeadline
Sep 1, 2026
Country
Netherlands
University
University of Amsterdam
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About this position
PhD Position: Strategising for the Green Urban Transition in Amsterdam at the University of Amsterdam, Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences.
This PhD project examines how climate change is reshaping cities and how urban governance systems can support long-term strategies for the energy transition and urban greening. The research focuses on urban planning, urban governance, political science, geography, and related social science approaches, with an emphasis on qualitative and interpretive research methods.
The project asks how spatial decisions are embedded in long-term strategies for green urban transitions, and how governance arrangements enable or constrain Amsterdam’s strategic capacity. The candidate will study a specific transition challenge such as an energy cluster in the Amsterdam harbour, expansion of the urban heat network, urban greening for heat and rain resilience, biodiversity-oriented greening, or electrification for decarbonising housing and industry. Comparative case studies with other cities are part of the design.
Methods include document analysis, interviews, case study research, and the development of innovative methods for complex multi-actor urban environments. The PhD candidate will also contribute to academic debates, produce a dissertation and publications, and teach about 10% of the appointment.
Eligibility highlights: a master’s degree in urban planning, human geography, political science, or a related social science; Dutch and English proficiency; and an interest in political and bureaucratic decision-making and the physical urban environment. Experience with urban governance is an advantage.
Funding and contract: this is a paid PhD employment position for 38 hours per week, initially for one year and extendable up to four years total after positive assessment. Salary ranges from €3,059 gross per month in year one to €3,881 gross per month in the final year, plus 8% holiday allowance, an 8.3% year-end bonus, pension, and other benefits.
Application deadline: 1 September 2026. Applicants must submit a CV (max. 2 pages), motivation letter (max. 1 page), and a research proposal based on the provided template, merged into a single PDF.
Supervisors: Dr. Jochem de Vries and Dr. Michiel Stapper.
Funding details
Full funding including tuition fees and living expenses is available for this position. The scholarship covers all educational costs and provides a monthly stipend.
How to apply
Please submit your application including a cover letter, CV, academic transcripts, and contact information for two references. Applications should be sent via the online portal before the deadline.
More information can be found here
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