The role of the PhD researcher is to conduct innovative research on the characterisation of human settlements and their changes over time. The successful candidate will employ  different (quantitative) approaches to address this topic, including spatial analysis, time-series analysis, and systematic reviews to develop new insights into the development of settlements, and explain how, where, and under what conditions these developments take place. In these analyses, this project will also analyse the relation between human settlements and other land uses, linking their development to ongoing processes such as rural-urban migration, agricultural transition and scale-enlargement, and agricultural land abandonment. The project will take a multi-scale approach, combining findings at the global scale with in-depth investigations at the local scale. For the local scale analysis, fieldwork is foreseen in both developing and developed countries.

Your duties

• quantitative analysis of (time-series of) settlement changes and their underlying drivers
• primary data collection in one or more case-study regions / countries
• systematic review on driving forces of settlement changes at a global scale
• publication of findings in international (peer-reviewed) journals and scientific conferences
• support teaching activities at BSc and MSc level

• master degree in geography or other relevant discipline
• strong skills in quantitative data analysis
• hands-on experience with GIS and spatial analysis
• motivated to conduct scientific research on land use and human settlements
• ability to work in an interdisciplinary team and contribute to activities of the larger research group

Fixed-term contract: 4 years.

A challenging position in a socially involved organisation. The salary will be in accordance with university regulations for academic personnel and amounts €2,325 (PhD) per month during the first year and increases to €2,972 (PhD) per month during the fourth year, based on a full-time employment. The job profile is based on the university job ranking system and is vacant for 1 FTE.

The appointment will initially be for 1 years. After a satisfactory evaluation of the initial appointment, the contract will be extended for a duration of in total 4 years.
Additionally, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam offers excellent fringe benefits and various schemes and regulations to promote a good work/life balance, such as:

• a maximum of 41 days of annual leave based on full-time employment
• 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus
• solid pension scheme (ABP)

The ambition of Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is clear: to contribute to a better world through outstanding education and ground-breaking research. And to be a university where personal education and societal involvement play a leading role. Where people from different disciplines and backgrounds work together on innovations and on generating new knowledge. Our teaching and research embrace the whole spectrum of science – from the humanities, the social sciences and the pure sciences through to the life sciences and the medical sciences.

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is home to more than 23,000 students. We employ more than 4,500 individuals. The VU campus is easily accessible, located in the heart of Amsterdam’s Zuidas district, a truly inspiring environment for teaching and research.

Diversity
Diversity is one of our university’s core values. We are an inclusive community, and we believe that diversity and international activities enhance the quality of education and research. We are always looking for people who can enhance diversity on our campus thanks to their background and experience.

The Faculty of Science
The Faculty of Science inspires researchers and students to find sustainable solutions for complex societal issues. From forest fires to big data, from obesity to medicines and from molecules to the moon: our teaching and research programmes cover the full spectrum of the natural sciences. We share knowledge and experience with leading research institutes and industries, both here in the Netherlands and abroad.

Working at the Faculty of Science means working with students, PhD candidates and researchers, all with a clear focus on their field and a broad view of the world. We employ more than 1,250 staff members, and we are home to around 6,000 students.
 
About the institute
Established in 1971, IVM is a leading environmental research institute that is internationally recognized for its high quality research output in a range of environmental disciplines, as well as for its interdisciplinary work. The mission of the institute is to contribute to sustainable development and care for the environment through scientific research and teaching. IVM aims to do excellent problem-oriented research that is useful to a wide range of stakeholders in the Netherlands and internationally. A unique strength of our research is to understand sustainability problems in their social and economic context. IVM’s research community works within four departments: Environmental Economics; Environmental Policy Analysis; Environmental Geography; and Water and Climate Risk.

About the department
The department of Environmental Geography is a vibrant international and world-renowned team of about 20 faculty members, postdocs and PhD students within the Institute for Environmental Studies (IVM). The group explores the theory and practice of land use and spatial aspects of sustainable development at various levels, with a special interest in foresight studies, spatial analysis and modellling, and the analysis of emergent trade-offs in sustainable development, ranging from climate change to food system, recreation and biodiversity. Our aim is to identify options that help society foster transitions to a sustainable future.