Are you an enthusiastic early‑career researcher eager to develop quantitative, spatially explicit models that support climate‑resilient urban planning? Do you want to work at the intersection of Industrial Ecology, GIS, urban climate resilience, and nature‑based solutions within a highly interdisciplinary and international research environment?
If so, this PhD position within the
ReSURE2 project could be an excellent opportunity for you.
Coastal cities are increasingly exposed to climate risks, demanding nature‑based solutions to mitigate the impacts while enhancing urban liveability, biodiversity, and wellbeing. However, the integration of such solutions into urban planning and policy remains limited due to the lack of systematic, data‑driven, and evidence‑based methods. This PhD position is part of the ReSURE2 project (Climate Resilient Inclusive Toolkit for Urban Regeneration and Regreening), an international research collaboration between partners in the Netherlands and China aimed at
developing new methodologies and digital tools to support climate‑resilient, nature‑inclusive, and socially just urban regeneration in coastal cities, with case studies in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Shanghai, and Xiamen.
The PhD candidate will be embedded at the Institute of Environmental Sciences (CML) at Leiden University and will be part of a broader interdisciplinary PhD and postdoc cohort working across Industrial Ecology, Urban Ecology, spatial planning, health, and environmental policy, in close collaboration with Chinese research partners.
What you will doThe PhD candidate is expected to carry out the
research tasks specified in the ReSURE2 project, especially on two closely connected and sequential research components.
- First, the PhD candidate will develop methods to identify and classify urban climate risk zones in coastal cities. This includes integrating GIS with Industrial Ecology approaches to capture both direct and indirect impacts of climate hazards. A key methodological contribution is the combination of multi-regional input–output analysis with spatial data to assess cascading supply chain risks and other systemic effects, supported where relevant by system dynamics modelling.
- Second, the PhD candidate will develop models to assess the potential of heat and flood mitigation strategies using nature-based solutions, in particular green–blue infrastructure, interacting with existing grey infrastructure. The focus is on modelling the effectiveness of nature-based solutions at the urban scale. Ecological expertise will be integrated through close collaboration with environmental biologists and other domain experts.
The PhD candidate is expected to
actively collaborate with ReSURE2 Sino-Dutch partners and stakeholders on at least two aspects:
- to test the developed methods in Dutch case cities, and
- to extrapolate the theoretical research and case study findings to inform the development of an urban planning and decision-support toolkit within the ReSURE2 project.
Wherever suitable, the PhD candidate is expected to support project management activities, such as planning research meetings.
Where you will workThe PhD position will be hosted by the Institute of Environmental Sciences (CML) at Leiden University, within the Faculty of Science.
CML is an internationally leading institute in environmental sustainability research, with strong expertise in industrial ecology, environmental modelling, and biodiversity research. The institute uniquely combines research on the sustainable use of natural resources with the assessment of environmental impacts on ecosystems and human wellbeing. Currently, over 150 FTE, including PhD candidates and postdoctoral researchers, work at CML in a highly international and interdisciplinary environment.
CML collaborates closely with other Dutch universities and research institutes, including Wageningen University & Research, TU Delft, and Erasmus University Rotterdam, and is part of the Leiden–Delft–Erasmus Centre for Sustainability.
What you bringWe are looking for a quantitatively oriented candidate with a strong interest in urban climate resilience and applied modelling.
You have:
- a completed (research) Master’s degree in industrial ecology, environmental science, urban studies, spatial planning, geography, data science, or a related field;
- strong experience with GIS and spatial data analysis;
- experience with Python, or a strong willingness to further develop programming skills;
- an interest in methodological and model development;
- the ability to work collaboratively in an interdisciplinary and international research team;
- excellent command of the English language.
Experience with input–output analysis, climate adaptation research, or urban resilience is considered an advantage, but is not required.
Knowledge of Mandarin Chinese is considered an asset, but is not mandatory.
What we offerWe offer a full-time (1.0 FTE) PhD position for a period of four years, with the intention that it leads to a PhD degree. The intended starting date is around May 2026.
The position is initially offered for one year, with an extension to four years after a positive go/no-go evaluation.
Salary ranges from €3,059 gross per month in the first year to €3,881 gross per month in the fourth year (scale P, based on a full-time position), in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU).
In addition, Leiden University offers:
- holiday allowance (8%) and an end-of-year bonus (8.3%);
- an attractive pension scheme with ABP;
- extensive options for secondary employment conditions, including paid parental leave and the individual choices model;
- flexible working arrangements and support for home working, including a laptop and home-working allowance.
The PhD candidate will be enrolled in Leiden University’s Graduate School of Science, which offers a broad programme of professional, skills-based, and personal development training for PhD candidates.
We are committed to offering a flexible, supportive, and rewarding work environment, designed to help you grow both professionally and personally. For more information about the working conditions, please visit:
https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/working-at/job-application-procedure-and-employment-conditionsWhat we valueAt the Faculty of Science, we value inclusiveness and diversity and strive to create equal opportunities for all. We strongly encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds and identities. For more information on our diversity and inclusion policy, please visit the Leiden University diversity webpage.
Want to apply or find out more?InformationEnquiries can be made to Dr. Tanya Tsui (
t.p.y.tsui@cml.leidenuniv.nl) and Dr. Mingming Hu (
hu@cml.leidenuniv.nl).
Selection Committee:
- Prof. dr. ir. Arnold Tukker, ReSURE2 PI, Co-promotor
- Dr. Mingming Hu, ReSURE2 Co-PI, Promoter
- Dr. Tanya Tsui, Co-supervisor
Applications Please submit your application via the online recruitment system, via the blue button at the top or bottom of this page. Applications received via e-mail will not be taken into consideration. Please ensure that you upload the following additional documents quoting the vacancy number:
- Curriculum Vitae
- Cover letter (max 2 pages.)
- Names and contact details of at least two referees
The deadline for submissions is 15 April 2026; applications received after this date will not be considered.
The 1st round of interviews will take place on 17 April 2026.
The 2nd round of interviews will take place on 21 April 2026.