Postdoc position in Children’s Active Mobility and Urban Environments

ACTIVATE investigates the social, environmental, and behavioural factors that influence children’s and youth’s mobility choices through a social-ecological lens. The project explores how built environments, mobility policies, interpersonal relationships (e.g., peers and parents), and personal attitudes shape decisions to walk, cycle, or use other active modes of travel across different life stages, from early childhood to adolescence. Will you join the team as a postdoctoral researcher?

Your job
Conducted in Utrecht (Netherlands), London (UK), St. Pölten (Austria), and Sabadell (Spain), ACTIVATE captures diverse social and spatial contexts to understand how mobility patterns evolve. The project combines quantitative and qualitative methods to identify barriers and enablers of active mobility and to develop actionable strategies that promote inclusive, youth-friendly, and sustainable urban environments aligned with the 15-Minute City concept.

At Utrecht University, you will contribute to three key components of the project:

1. Survey research: designing, coordinating, and analysing a household survey among families with children and youth in four European cities. The survey will examine how household structure, social demographics, and neighbourhood design influence walking and cycling behaviour.
2. Qualitative fieldwork: conducting and analysing walk-, scooter-, and bike-along interviews with young children (aged 4-6) and their caregivers in Utrecht to explore how they perceive and experience their mobility environments.
3. Co-creation workshops: working with municipalities, schools, and community partners to co-design and test strategies that foster active mobility among children and youth. These workshops will help translate research findings into practical, context-sensitive policy and design recommendations.

Through this combination of methods, you play a pivotal role in linking household-level data with lived experiences and participatory insights, contributing to evidence-based interventions that support healthier, more inclusive cities for younger generations.

• A position for 36 months;
• a working week of 32-40 hours and a gross monthly salary between €3,546 and €5,538 in the case of full-time employment (salary scale 10 under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU));
• 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus;
• a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU.

In addition to the terms of employment laid down in the CAO NU, Utrecht University also offers a range of its own schemes for employees. This includes arrangements for professional development, various types of leave, and options for sports and cultural activities. You can also tailor your employment conditions through our Terms of Employment Options Model. In this way, we encourage you to keep investing in your personal and professional development. For more information, please visit 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 strategic themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Pathways to Sustainability. Sharing science, shaping tomorrow.

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.

For more information about this position, please contact Dr Dea van Lierop at d.s.vanlierop@uu.nl.

Candidates for this vacancy will be recruited by Utrecht University.