The Department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning has developed the challenging research programme ‘Urban Futures: Transitions towards Economic and Social Sustainable Cities’. In this programme faculty members from different sub disciplines of human geography and spatial planning work closely together on topics like urban accessibility, urban infrastructures, healthy urban living, urban inequalities and diversities, transnational mobilities, smart urban governance, economic resilience and networks and flows in and between urban regions. The Department is also responsible for the undergraduate programme in Human Geography and Spatial Planning and for a number of graduate programmes like Human Geography (urban and economic geography), Spatial Planning, International Development Studies and GIS.

 

This assistant professor position will be in close cooperation with the new to appoint chair on Urban Accessibility and Social Inclusion. The research field focusses on the accessibility of urban regions and the implications for daily activity and travel behaviour, social inclusion and well-being. These relationships are studied in the context of transitions in urban policies (such as the transition toward circular and healthy cities) and technological and organizational developments in transportation systems (such as car and bicycle share systems, and increasingly autonomous vehicles). Much emphasis is put on citizens longer (location choices) and shorter (daily travel) responses to such changes, and their implications for participation in the workforce, social networks, health behaviours and overall well-being. These topics are studied in both national and international contexts, increasingly including the Global South. The research in the Urban Accessibility and Social Inclusion group will connect to researchers in other areas of the Urban Futures programme, such as Healthy Urban Living and Diversity and Inequality.

We are looking for a colleague who shows leadership and who initiates new research projects within the ‘Urban Futures’ research program, both independently and in collaboration with other researchers of the Department Human Geography and Planning and external partners. The new assistant professor will also have teaching tasks in BSc- and MSc-programs. We envisage positions with 0.4 FTE research and 0.6 FTE teaching for the next two years of appointment.

We seek highly motivated candidates who hold a PhD in Transport Geography or a related field. If you:

• have experience in conducting scientific research leading to high-quality publications;
• have a good (international) research network;
• see added value in collaborating in interdisciplinary research projects;
• are able to acquire research funding in competition;
• have experience in transportation geography and methodological courses and supervising students from undergraduate to PhD levels;
• are willing and confident to teach subjects beyond your niche of expertise;
• have a Basic Teaching Certificate (BKO) or similar teaching qualification, or are willing to acquire such a qualification as soon as possible;
• are proficient in both written and spoken English;
• are preferably proficient in both written and spoken Dutch;
• are a team player, looking forward to contributing to, and collaborating with different disciplinary groups within and outside our department,

We encourage you to apply and we are looking forward to meeting you.

If you have a background in Transport Geography or Transportation Studies you have our preference, however if you have a related disciplinary background you are also invited to respond.

Employment conditions are based on the Collective Labour Agreement of the Dutch Universities. We offer a full time position for a period of two years. The gross monthly salary is based on experience and qualifications, and ranges from a minimum of €2,984 to a maximum of €4,757 on a full time basis.  The salary is supplemented by a holiday allowance of 8% per year and a year-end bonus of 8.3%.

We also offer a pension scheme and flexible employment conditions (multiple choice model). Facilities for sports and childcare are available on our campus, which is only 15 minutes away from the historical city center of Utrecht.Here you'll find more information about 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, various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major societal themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Sustainability.

The Faculty of Geosciences at Utrecht University offers a unique environment to study societal challenge as it combines knowledge on energy efficiency, economics, energy policy, behavioral sciences, innovation systems, and knowledge on (sustainable) urban 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 ensure a healthy urban living. Research on these topics takes place within our research program “Urban Futures: Transitions Towards Economic and Social Sustainability for Cities”.

Our research program is the basis for our research masters Human Geography and Geographical Information Management and Applications and professional masters in Human Geography, International Development Studies and Spatial Planning. The department runs also a large and highly appreciated bachelors program 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 and a center of expertise which brings the knowledge from fundamental research outside our university by educational programs for high school teachers and professional consultancy for public partners.

The city of Utrecht is one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands, with a charming old center and an internationally oriented culture that is strongly influenced by its century-old university. Utrecht city has been consistently ranked as one of the most livable cities in the Netherlands.