The Department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning has developed the challenging research programme “Urban Futures: Transitions Towards Economic and Social Sustainability for Cities”. In this programme faculty members from different sub disciplines of Human Geography and Spatial Planning work closely together on topics like urban accessibility, urban infrastructures, healthy urban living, urban inequalities and diversities, transnational mobilities, smart urban governance, economic resilience and networks and flows in and between urban regions. The Department is also responsible for the Undergraduate programme in Human Geography and Spatial Planning and for a number of Graduate programmes like Human Geography (Urban and Economic Geography), Spatial Planning, International Development Studies and GIS.

Within the chair group "Daily Mobility and Urban Living" research and education takes place on the intersection of mobility and health. This research addresses the interrelationship between mobility and health as a result of physical activity and exposure to the urban environment. The health effects of travel are studied in the context of citizens’ daily and long term decisions about travel and activities, and how these decisions can be influenced by policies and interventions, such as through urban and transportation planning. The group is internationally recognized for its research in this area. Current projects address the relationship between daily activity patterns and mental health, social and health effects of bicycle share systems, the effect of accessibility on food consumption and the impact of walkability and bikeability on physical activity and health. Apart from scientific studies funded by national and international research programmes, our research has societal impact, as evidenced by projects with and for societal stakeholders, including the city of Utrecht. The chair group is also responsible for courses addressing accessibility, travel and health issues in our Bachelor's and Master's programmes.

To strengthen our research and education programme we are recruiting an Assistant Professor in Mobility and Health. The candidate will contribute to our research in mobility and health by developing an own, and internationally recognized, line of research within the area of mobility and health, however in collaboration with colleagues in the chair group. The acquisition of new research projects will be an important task. The candidate will also contribute to our teaching programme in mobility and health, as well as our broader educational programme.

We are looking for a colleague with a strong research record and excellent teaching qualifications, with the ambition to initiate new research projects within the “Urban Futures” research programme, both independently and in collaboration with other researchers of the Department Human Geography and Planning and external partners. The new Assistant Professor will also educate our students in the Bachelor's and Master's programmes. We envisage a position with 0.5 FTE research and 0.5 FTE teaching for the first two years of appointment.

We seek highly motivated candidates who hold a PhD in Transport Geography, Health Geography or  related fields. We encourage you to apply if you:

• have experience in conducting scientific research leading to high-quality publications;
• have a good (international) research network;
• see added value in collaborating in interdisciplinary research projects;
• are able to acquire research funding in competition;
• are willing and confident to teach subjects beyond your niche of expertise;
• have a Basic Teaching Certificate (BKO) or similar teaching qualification, or are willing to acquire such a qualification as soon as possible;
• are proficient in both written and spoken English;
• are preferably also proficient in both written and spoken Dutch;
• are a team player, looking forward to contributing to, and collaborating with different disciplinary groups within and outside our Department.

We offer a Tenure Track position (1.0 FTE) for two years, preferably starting in August 2018, with an intended extension of either another two years or a conversion to a permanent position, subject to performance. The gross salary - depending on previous qualifications and experience  - ranges between €2,984 and €4,757 (scale 10/11 according to the Collective Labour Agreement Dutch Universities) gross 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. We offer a pension scheme, (partly paid) parental leave, collective insurance schemes and flexible employment conditions (multiple choice model). More information is available at: 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 societal themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Sustainability.

The Faculty of Geosciences of Utrecht University offers a unique environment as it combines research on (sustainable) urban development and planning with research on energy efficiency, economics, energy policy, behavioural sciences and innovation systems. The Faculty is organized in four Departments: Earth Sciences; Physical Geography; Innovation, Environmental & Energy Sciences and Human Geography and Spatial Planning. 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 initiate 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 Masters Human Geography and Geographical Information Management and Applications and Professional Masters 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 hub and professional consultancy for public partners.