The Department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning has developed the challenging research program ‘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 field of urban governance and planning. We are especially interested in applicants with a research profile focusing on the interface between land use policy, municipal finance and housing and/or infrastructure development. Additional knowledge on legal issues of land-use planning would be an advantage. Potential research activities include, but are not restricted to, active municipal land use policies in the Netherlands, urban renewal and regeneration policies, the implementation of the new 'Omgevingswet', the national and international housing crisis, urban and regional containment strategies, planning challenges involved in the financialization of housing, urban infrastructure and/or land. For the position, extensive knowledge on the Dutch spatial planning system as well as international experience are expected. The successful candidate will teach, among others, on real estate development and spatial planning.

We are looking for a colleague who shows leadership and who initiates new research projects within the ‘Urban Futures’ research programme and in the university’s ‘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 Bachelor's and Master's 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 proven expertise in the fields of land-use policy, municipal finance and/or housing and infrastructure development;
• have extensive knowledge on the Dutch system of spatial planning and ideally collaborate with stakeholders in the Netherlands;
• 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's and Master's 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.

We offer a full-time Tenure Track position for a period of six years starting in March by the latest. We will agree upon a set of performance indicators to be met within the contract period. Subject to overall performance, we intend to convert your appointment to a permanent position the moment you qualify. The qualification period is basically four years and the tenure track program is tailored to this. We therefore normally expect qualification after four years or sooner. However, the employment contract is six years, so that extension into the tenure track programme is possible to facilitate part-time work or to compensate for maternity leave and/or parental leave.

The gross salary - depending on previous qualifications and experience  - ranges between €3,637 and €4,978 (scale 11 according to the Collective Labour Agreement Dutch Universities) per month for a full-time employment. Salaries are supplemented with a holiday bonus of 8% and a year-end bonus of 8.3% per year. In addition, Utrecht University offers excellent secondary conditions, including an attractive retirement scheme, (partly paid) parental leave and flexible employment conditions (multiple choice model). More information about working at Utrecht University can be found here.

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 programme “Urban Futures: Transitions Towards Economic and Social Sustainability for Cities”.
Our research programme is the basis for our Research Master's Human Geography and Geographical Information Management and Applications and Professional Master's in Spatial Planning, Human Geography and International Development Studies. The Department also runs a large and highly appreciated Bachelor's 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 theme and professional consultancy for public partners.