We are seeking an enthusiastic and research-dedicated postdoctoral researcher to join our team focusing on the governance of nature-based solutions in cities. If you have done research on the governance of nature-based solutions in cities during your PhD or Post-Phd, you are encouraged to apply.

Your job
You will be engaged in the CARDIMED European Union Funded project “Climate Adaptation and Resilience Demonstrated in the MEDiterranean region” (for 20% of the time), and will develop with the PI frontier research on the governance and planning of urban nature-based solutions globally. You will supervise a small group of Master's students writing their thesis on the topic of urban nature-based solutions each year; as well as prepare and contribute with a few teaching lectures per year on the topic of governance and planning of nature-based solutions in the Bachelor's and Master's programmes of the department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning.

You will:

• commit to research excellence and research with impact that is a mission of Utrecht University;
• engage in the wider research and scholarly activities of the CARDIMED research project and Utrecht University CARDIMED team;
• engage in the dissemination of results of the CARDIMED project by producing at least two high-quality academic papers as a lead author;
• lead and co-author high-quality papers with the PI and the Spatial Planning research team of nature-based solutions academic outputs of European and Global Interest;
• conduct individual and collaborative research complying with and following research ethical standards;
• carry out administrative and management work associated with the research;
• have a positive, co-operative and responsive attitude that fosters positive and safe working relationships;
• show integrity and professionalism in the course of your work.

We are looking for a colleague who holds a PhD in the area of: sustainability science, urban planning and governance, human geography, policy studies, sustainability transitions, environmental policy and planning, environmental governance and politics, or resilience studies. We seek someone with knowledge and experience in urban governance, transdisciplinary research, collaborative planning, and social-ecological systems in relation to nature-based solutions in cities. Please be aware that this post-doc position requires proven record of research on the governance of nature-based solutions in cities.

Furthermore, you bring the following knowledge, skills and experience:

• excellent and proven research skills, especially gathering and analysing qualitative data following ethical research practices;
• experience in publishing as a lead author in high-quality international peer-reviewed journals, with a minimum of three published papers at the time of the application;
• experience in conducting and analysing structured and semi-structured interviews, large and small workshops, focus groups and/or other kinds of transdisciplinary research activities;
• experience in presenting research findings at an international level;
• excellent command of the English language (in both written and oral form);
• ability to work across different, interdisciplinary research projects and research initiatives simultaneously;
• ability to think independently and overcome difficulties in research process.

The following qualifications are considered assets:

• experience in co-organising expert focus groups and workshops in a professional way and co-producing agenda or positioning papers;
• knowledge of European and/or Global environmental policies;
• experience in organizing international research seminars, workshops and other events.

We offer:

• a position for a period of four years;
• a working week of 36 hours and a gross monthly salary between €3,226 and €5,090 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 has a number of schemes and facilities of its own for employees. This includes schemes facilitating professional development, leave schemes and schemes for sports and cultural activities, as well as discounts on software and other IT products. We also offer access to additional employee benefits through our Terms of Employment Options Model. In this way, we encourage our employees to continue to invest in their growth. For more information, please visit Working at Utrecht University.

Universiteit Utrecht

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.

The Department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning investigates sustainability challenges in the context of an ongoing worldwide trend of increasing urbanisation. The Department’s ‘Urban Futures’ research program focuses on urban inequalities, geographies of digital transitions, and urban environmental change. It develops novel theoretical and empirical approaches that are not solely at the forefront of academic debates but that also create new perspectives on successful policies and interventions to address urban challenges. 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.

The Department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning has developed the challenging ‘Urban Futures’ research programme. In this programme, faculty members from different human geography and spatial planning disciplines work closely together on topics such as urban inequalities, geographies of digital transitions, and urban environmental change. The department is responsible for the Bachelor's programme in Human Geography and Spatial Planning, for a number of graduate programmes like Spatial Planning, Human Geography (urban and economic geography), International Development Studies, and Geographical Information Management and Applications, as well as for the Research Master’s programme Global Urban Transformations.

For more information about this position, please contact Professor Niki Frantzeskaki via n.frantzeskaki@uu.nl.

Before contacting via email, note that:

• interested candidates that contact Professor Niki Frantzeskaki about general inquiries and not specific questions will not receive a reply;
• applications will neither be pre-assessed nor pre-evaluated by Professor Frantzeskaki via email or phone calls;
• only applications submitted through the link provided in this vacancy will be considered. Applications submitted over email will not be considered;
• only applicants who have research experience during their PhD or post-PhD on nature-based solutions (including research on urban ecology, green/blue infrastructure, ecosystem services and related fields) will be considered;
• only applicants with a PhD will be considered. If you have submitted your PhD and awaiting approval or the PhD defense to take place, you are encouraged to apply.