PhD researcher: Smart active mobility to improve health and wellbeing

The PhD vacancy is part of the DynamiCity project, a Horizon Europe project that will demonstrate how urban transport systems can be transformed into net positive contributors not only to cleaner, better-connected cities, but also for possible cancer prevention and improved survivorship. The project advances a paradigm shift: transport is no longer a source of negative impacts – such as safety issues and adverse health effects, but rather a strategic means to promote healthy lifestyles and overall wellbeing. With this project, we aim to contribute to improving well-being and quality of life of people after cancer. The project will explore the role and function of active mobility (walking, cycling) and micro-mobility options (e.g., moped) to improve health and enhance sustainable mobility options.

The collaboration with different European cities in the project will make a lasting societal impact. The PhD research will involve actual applications, enabling you to really make a change in people’s life. In the Netherlands, the municipality of Helmond is our living lab.

This four-year PhD project is part of DynamiCity project and involves:

• Explore the role of active mobility and micro-mobility to improve quality of life, to support cancer survivorship, and to decrease the incidence of cancer or late effects from cancer.
• Design and specify smart mobility technologies and solutions that support active mobility and micro-mobility and can be integrated in the DynamiCity living labs, such as dynamic traffic light systems and app-infrastructure connections.
• Quantify the safety implications smart mobility systems for pedestrians, cyclists and micro-mobility users, and measure whether this changes how people travel.
• Support the municipality of Helmond in pilot implementations to enhance cycling, encourage more walking and reduce the life expectancy gap amongst neighborhoods through interventions.

We offer you a very exciting position in an inspiring multidisciplinary environment. This position is part of a large consortium of European partners with whom we will work together. Additionally, the university offers a dynamic ecosystem with enthusiastic colleagues in which internationalization is an important part of the strategic agenda.

• We offer a four-year fulltime PhD position.
• We provide a stimulating, modern research environment with world-class research facilities.
• You will be part of a dedicated, multidisciplinary team with which you will collaborate extensively with (inter)national partners, including industry.
• A starting salary of €3059,- gross per month in the first year and increasing to €3881,- gross per month in the fourth year.
• An annual holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary, and an annual year-end bonus of 8.3%.
• A solid pension scheme.
• Minimum of 29 leave days in case of full-time employment.
• We provide excellent mentorship and a stimulating research environment to accelerate your further professional and personal growth.
• The University of Twente is situated on a green and lively campus with lots of facilities for sports and other activities.

As a PhD candidate, you will be enrolled in the Twente Graduate School (TGS). The work location is Enschede.

Please submit your application before April 05, 2026 via the ‘Apply now’ button, including:

• A cover letter (maximum 1 pages A4), emphasizing your specific interests, qualifications, motivation, and research ideas for the PhD project.
• A detailed Curriculum Vitae, including an overview of all courses attended and grades obtained.
• A description (maximum half-page A4) of your MSc research.
• Contact details of two referees

Should you have any questions, you are welcome to contact dr.ir. M. Baran Ulak (email m.b.ulak@utwente.nl).

The first round of selection interviews will be scheduled between 06 April and 24 April and interviews can be held through Microsoft Teams. A second round of in-person interviews may be scheduled if necessary.

Screening is part of the procedure.