The Department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning has developed the challenging research programme ‘Urban Futures: Transitions Towards Economic and Social Sustainability’. In this programme, faculty members from different subdisciplines of Human Geography and Spatial Planning work closely together on topics like governance of urban transitions, smart urban governance, urban infrastructures, urban inequalities and diversities, transnational mobilities, economic resilience and networks and flows in and between urban regions. The Department is responsible for the undergraduate programme in Human Geography and Spatial Planning and for a number of graduate programmes like Spatial Planning, Human Geography (urban and economic geography), International Development Studies and GIS.
Our ambition with this Assistant Professorship (Tenure-Track) is to further develop the ‘Urban Futures’ programme through innovative contributions from urban and regional planning. We are searching for an ambitious new colleague whose previous research activities and publication record reflect a strong interest and proven expertise in the governance and planning of sustainable urban futures and the effectiveness and legitimacy of different urban governance arrangements. Strong preference will be given to candidates whose previous work reflects their strong empirical and conceptual interest in the role of technical infrastructures (energy, ICTs, (waste-)water, waste and/or transportation) in urban sustainability transformations, their role in mediating urban land uses and in the technopolitics at play in urban change processes. For the position, international experience as well as extensive interests in, and contributions to theoretical debates in urban planning and governance are expected, especially recent intersections of planning/governance theory with concepts and methodologies in science and technology studies. In the field of teaching, we particularly seek to strengthen our expertise in planning theory (e.g. as the instructor of the BA course “Planning theory” and through major contributions to the MA course “Beyond planning theory”). Candidates are expected to become involved in the university’s research hub “Transforming Infrastructures for Sustainable Cities” and to co-supervise PhD candidates in the field of urban infrastructure governance.

We are looking for a colleague who shows leadership and who initiates new research projects within the ‘Urban Futures’ research programme and in the “Transforming infrastructures for sustainable cities” research hub, both independently and in collaboration with other researchers of the Department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning and with external partners. The Assistant Professor will have teaching tasks in Bachelors and Masters programmes. We envisage a position with an equal share of research and teaching for the next two years of appointment.

We seek a highly motivated candidate who holds a PhD in urban and regional planning or in a related field from a renowned research university. If you:

• have a strong theoretical background in the analysis of urban and infrastructural transformations and of complex urban governance processes;
• have experience in conducting academic research leading to high-quality publications;
• have relevant international experience, demonstrated by strong networks, participation in international conferences and research activities;
• see added value in collaborating in inter- and transdisciplinary research projects;
• are able to acquire research funding in competition, preferably with a proven track record;
• enjoy teaching bachelor and master students, are willing and confident to teach subjects beyond your niche of expertise, and to supervise planning/geography students from undergraduate to PhD levels;
• have a Basic Teaching Certificate (BKO) or similar teaching qualification, or are willing to acquire such a qualification as soon as possible;
• are able to demonstrate excellent English language proficiency. We require a qualification English at C1 level (CEFR or comparable to level 3 of the Lecturer Assessment Grid) or prepared to obtain this level by training;
• are proficient in Dutch or prepared to acquire Dutch language skills;
• are a team player, have strong communication and didactic skills and are looking forward to contributing to, and collaborating with different disciplinary groups within and outside our Department,

we encourage you to apply.

Utrecht University is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity in research, teaching and administration. Therefore, and for the overall balance in the planning group, we particularly encourage women to apply.

Employment conditions are based on the Collective Labor Agreement of the Dutch Universities. We offer a 0.8 FTE or full-time, Tenure-Track position for a period of four years starting in December or January by the latest. Based on performance indicators agreed upon at the start of the appointment, a decision will be made by the fourth year on whether to offer you a permanent faculty position. The gross monthly salary is based on experience and qualifications, and ranges from €3,637 to €4,978 gross per month on a full-time basis (scale 11 Collective Labour Agreement Dutch Universities). The salary is supplemented by a holiday allowance of 8% per year and a year-end bonus of 8.3%.

We offer a pension scheme, (partly paid) parental leave, collective insurance schemes and flexible employment conditions (multiple choice model). Facilities for sports and child care are available on our main campus which is located only 15 minutes away from the historical city centre of Utrecht. More information is available at our website: working at Utrecht University.

A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University, the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major societal themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Sustainability.
Utrecht University's Faculty of Geosciences studies the Earth: from the Earth's core to its surface, including man's spatial and material utilisation of the Earth - always with a focus on sustainability and innovation. With 3,400 students (BSc and MSc) and 720 staff, the Faculty is a strong and challenging organisation. The Faculty of Geosciences is organised in four Departments: Earth Sciences, Human Geography & Spatial Planning, Physical Geography, and Sustainable Development.

The Department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning has its focus on the enhancement of long-term economic developments of cities, how to cope with social inequalities, and how to accelerate sustainability transitions of cities and infrastructures. Research on these topics takes place within our research program “Urban Futures: Transitions Towards Economic and Social Sustainability for Cities”.

Our research programme is the basis for our Research Masters Human Geography and Geographical Information Management and Applications and Professional Masters in Spatial Planning, Human Geography and International Development Studies. The Department also runs a large and highly appreciated bachelors programme and is part of the Netherlands Graduate School of Urban and Regional Research for PhD candidates. Unique characteristics of the Department are a special team focusing on innovations within teaching methods, its strong involvement in the transdisciplinary sustainability research hub and professional consultancy for public partners.