Job Wageningen UR (University & Research centre) - PhD candidate Spatial quality and spatial design of infrastructure

A candidate to focus on the interrelationships between spatial quality, ecological sustainability, regional developments (both wanted and unwanted) and mobility. Previous studies have shown environment and spatial quality to be related to road use and mobility, and vice versa. The development of infrastructure and spatial quality needs to be considered in an integrated and interdependent way. Maintaining or increasing spatial quality (including ecological sustainability) should be at the basis of infrastructure design. This project will first focus on defining spatial quality and ecological sustainability. It will investigate what aspects need to be part of a regional approach and how this can be made operational in the various stages of the infrastructure design process.

A Master degree in landscape architecture or a related scientific discipline, with a clear ecological component or experience. Affinity with aspects of mobility are an advantage. The candidate should be able to integrate methodological and conceptual aspects into a theoretical approach. Excellent communication skills (spoken and written English) are required.

A full-time PhD-position for 4 years. There will be a probationary period of 18 months.The gross salary is € 2.042,- based on a full-time position in the first year and increases to € 2.612,- in the final year.Additional Information:Prof. Dr. A. van den Brink (0317-482784) or Prof. Dr. F. Berendse (0317-484973)A more detailed description of the project is available (in Dutch)

The Landscape Architecture Group (www.lar.wur.nl) and the Nature Conservation and Plant Ecology Group (www.ncp.wur.nl) of Wageningen University and perform research and education in the fields of landscape design and planning, nature conservation and systems and vegetation ecology. Ecological and spatial quality aspects of infrastructure are studied, in cooperation with the DVS Centre for Transport and Navigation (Rijkswaterstaat).

Andre.Schaffers@wur.nl