PhD Position Strategising for the Green Transition in Amsterdam
Do you want to study how climate change affects cities? Do you want to help cities develop long-term strategies for the energy transition and urban greening? Then we offer you a great opportunity to deepen your knowledge, improve your research skills, and make a contribution.
Working at the UvA
Strategising for Green Urban Transition in Amsterdam
Climate change is a key driver of major urban transitions. This PhD project is premised on the idea that these transitions require long-term strategic planning to provide a stable context for investment, create coherence in new infrastructure at the urban and regional levels, and coordinate with other forms of urban development. The goal of the project is to understand how the urban governance systems of actors, rules, and powers enable or constrain cities' ability to plan for the future. Therefore, the system in which planning decisions regarding climate-proofing the city are made should be well understood to identify the factors that lead to the success or failure of long-term planning.
The research design centres on key decisions regarding urban transitions aimed at mitigation of and adaptation to climate change. An approach in which Amsterdam is compared with cities pursuing ambitious green transition agendas will be part of the research design.
A provisional formulation of the central questions of the project is: How do governance arrangements enable or constrain Amsterdam’s long-term strategies for green urban transitions? What can Amsterdam do to improve the strategic capacity of its governance system by learning from international examples?
The project will focus on a particular problem associated with green urban transitions, such as the development of an energy cluster in the Amsterdam harbour, the expansion of the urban heat network, urban greening for extreme weather conditions (heat and rain), urban greening for biodiversity, or electrification to decarbonise housing and industry.
In addition to conventional qualitative methods such as document analysis, interviews, and case study research, the PhD candidate will contribute to the development of novel methods.
The PhD project will be supervised by dr. Jochem de Vries and dr. Michiel Stapper.
Applicants are invited to develop a research proposal based on this project outline. The proposal allows you to specify and elaborate how you intend to address the questions posed in this advertisement. The proposal will focus on a particular problem associated with green urban transitions (and not the green transition in general). It will also contain concrete suggestions, with arguments, for comparative cases. The template for the proposal can be found below (under “Application process and contact information”).
What are you going to do
We offer a temporary employment contract of 38 hours per week for a maximum term of four years. The initial employment is for one year. Following a positive assessment, this term will be extended by a maximum of three years, which should result in the conferral of a doctorate. You will attend courses offered by the AISSR and the Graduate School of Social Sciences as part of the PhD program. In addition to doing research, publicizing your findings, and participating in academic events, you will be involved in teaching (roughly 10% of your time).
For this position the University Job Classification profile “Promovendus” applies. Your salary will be €3,059 gross per month in the first year and will increase to €3,881 in the final year, based on full-time employment of 38 hours per week and in keeping with the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities. We additionally offer an extensive package of secondary benefits, including 8% holiday allowance and a year-end bonus of 8.3%. The UvA offers excellent possibilities for further professional development and education.
Your place at the UvA
You will work here
This PhD position is embedded within the programme group Urban Planning of the Department of Human Geography, Planning and International Development Studies. The group, known as the Amsterdam School of Planning, is internationally renowned for its research regarding the environment, mobility, and governance. You will be part of a team of experienced researchers and a diverse group of around 30 PhD-candidates.
The Urban Planning program group is embedded within the Amsterdam Institute for Social Science Research (AISSR). The AISSR is the research school for faculty members and PhD candidates from the Departments of Anthropology, Sociology, Political Science, and Geography, Planning, and International Development. It is committed to fundamental and engaged research that pushes the boundaries of the social sciences.
The PhD position is part of the AISSR Amsterdam Program, which recruits eight PhD candidates across the institute’s four departments. The candidates will form a cohort and collaborate on innovative research methods that generate value for both the city of Amsterdam and the social sciences. All PhD candidates in the program will receive doctoral training from the AISSR and be affiliated with the Centre for Urban Studies and the Urban Impact Lab.
About The Faculty Of Social And Behavioural Sciences
The Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences (FMG) is the largest educational and research institution in the field of social and behavioural sciences in Europe. Here, we explore societal and human-centered issues, driven by scientific curiosity but also with an eye for current themes. For example, the impact of media and communication on individuals and society, healthcare challenges, global urbanization, human development, the role of political institutions, understanding the human mind, growing inequality, diversity issues, and changing social relationships.
In Europe and beyond, the FMG holds a leading position, thanks in part to its more than 1,300 staff members who contribute to education and research. Will you be one of them?
Important to know
Your application & contact
If you recognise yourself in this profile and are interested in the position, we look forward to receiving your:
You can apply via the red button until September 1st.
Interviews will take place on September 10, 2026.
For questions about the vacancy, you can contact: Dr. Jochem de Vries (j.devries1@uva.nl) or Dr. Michiel Stapper (e.w.stapper@uva.nl)
Acquisition in response to this vacancy is not appreciated.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
As an employer, the UvA maintains an equal opportunities policy. We value diversity and are fully committed to being a place where everyone feels at home. We nurture inquisitive minds and perseverance and allow room for persistent questioning. With us, curiosity and creativity are the prevailing culture.
Studies show that women and members of underrepresented groups only apply for jobs if they meet 100% of the qualifications. Do you meet the educational requirements but not yet all of the requested experience? The UvA encourages you to apply anyway.
Working at the UvA
Strategising for Green Urban Transition in Amsterdam
Climate change is a key driver of major urban transitions. This PhD project is premised on the idea that these transitions require long-term strategic planning to provide a stable context for investment, create coherence in new infrastructure at the urban and regional levels, and coordinate with other forms of urban development. The goal of the project is to understand how the urban governance systems of actors, rules, and powers enable or constrain cities' ability to plan for the future. Therefore, the system in which planning decisions regarding climate-proofing the city are made should be well understood to identify the factors that lead to the success or failure of long-term planning.
The research design centres on key decisions regarding urban transitions aimed at mitigation of and adaptation to climate change. An approach in which Amsterdam is compared with cities pursuing ambitious green transition agendas will be part of the research design.
A provisional formulation of the central questions of the project is: How do governance arrangements enable or constrain Amsterdam’s long-term strategies for green urban transitions? What can Amsterdam do to improve the strategic capacity of its governance system by learning from international examples?
The project will focus on a particular problem associated with green urban transitions, such as the development of an energy cluster in the Amsterdam harbour, the expansion of the urban heat network, urban greening for extreme weather conditions (heat and rain), urban greening for biodiversity, or electrification to decarbonise housing and industry.
In addition to conventional qualitative methods such as document analysis, interviews, and case study research, the PhD candidate will contribute to the development of novel methods.
The PhD project will be supervised by dr. Jochem de Vries and dr. Michiel Stapper.
Applicants are invited to develop a research proposal based on this project outline. The proposal allows you to specify and elaborate how you intend to address the questions posed in this advertisement. The proposal will focus on a particular problem associated with green urban transitions (and not the green transition in general). It will also contain concrete suggestions, with arguments, for comparative cases. The template for the proposal can be found below (under “Application process and contact information”).
- A good salary Your salary will be determined on the basis of your experience and seniority, in accordance with the Labour agreement. Your grading and therefore the amounts mentioned are based on full employment of 38 hours per week.
- 232 vacation hours We also offer parental leave, partner leave and social engagement leave. Through the Employment Conditions Menu Card, there are opportunities for even more vacation hours.
- Financial arrangements On top of your salary, you receive holiday allowance (8%) and a year-end bonus (8.3%). You build up a good pension with ABP. And in addition, we offer many other allowances and schemes.
- Career development and room for growth The UvA encourages you to continue to professionalise through training courses and open UvA lectures.
- Family matters Relocating to the Netherlands with your family? Find out about daycare, schooling, health insurance or employment options and support for your partner or spouse. Including the IDCN-network which provides support for your spouse through various training sessions, social activities, and networking events.
What are you going to do
- Analyse how spatial decisions are, or are not, embedded in long-term strategies for green urban transitions
- Conduct qualitative research — including interviews and case studies — in cities facing similar challenges as Amsterdam
- Develop and apply innovative research methods suited to complex, multi-actor urban environments
- Contribute to academic debates and produce a PhD dissertation and publications
- Teach in our educational programs (10% of appointments)
- Dutch and English language proficiency (fieldwork will be conducted in Amsterdam and in cities outside the Netherlands)
- A master’s degree in urban planning, human geography, political science, or a related social science, with a specialisation in qualitative and interpretive research methods
- An academic affinity with political and bureaucratic decision-making and governance, and the physical urban environment.
- Lived experience with urban governance is an advantage.
We offer a temporary employment contract of 38 hours per week for a maximum term of four years. The initial employment is for one year. Following a positive assessment, this term will be extended by a maximum of three years, which should result in the conferral of a doctorate. You will attend courses offered by the AISSR and the Graduate School of Social Sciences as part of the PhD program. In addition to doing research, publicizing your findings, and participating in academic events, you will be involved in teaching (roughly 10% of your time).
For this position the University Job Classification profile “Promovendus” applies. Your salary will be €3,059 gross per month in the first year and will increase to €3,881 in the final year, based on full-time employment of 38 hours per week and in keeping with the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities. We additionally offer an extensive package of secondary benefits, including 8% holiday allowance and a year-end bonus of 8.3%. The UvA offers excellent possibilities for further professional development and education.
Your place at the UvA
You will work here
This PhD position is embedded within the programme group Urban Planning of the Department of Human Geography, Planning and International Development Studies. The group, known as the Amsterdam School of Planning, is internationally renowned for its research regarding the environment, mobility, and governance. You will be part of a team of experienced researchers and a diverse group of around 30 PhD-candidates.
The Urban Planning program group is embedded within the Amsterdam Institute for Social Science Research (AISSR). The AISSR is the research school for faculty members and PhD candidates from the Departments of Anthropology, Sociology, Political Science, and Geography, Planning, and International Development. It is committed to fundamental and engaged research that pushes the boundaries of the social sciences.
The PhD position is part of the AISSR Amsterdam Program, which recruits eight PhD candidates across the institute’s four departments. The candidates will form a cohort and collaborate on innovative research methods that generate value for both the city of Amsterdam and the social sciences. All PhD candidates in the program will receive doctoral training from the AISSR and be affiliated with the Centre for Urban Studies and the Urban Impact Lab.
About The Faculty Of Social And Behavioural Sciences
The Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences (FMG) is the largest educational and research institution in the field of social and behavioural sciences in Europe. Here, we explore societal and human-centered issues, driven by scientific curiosity but also with an eye for current themes. For example, the impact of media and communication on individuals and society, healthcare challenges, global urbanization, human development, the role of political institutions, understanding the human mind, growing inequality, diversity issues, and changing social relationships.
In Europe and beyond, the FMG holds a leading position, thanks in part to its more than 1,300 staff members who contribute to education and research. Will you be one of them?
Important to know
Your application & contact
If you recognise yourself in this profile and are interested in the position, we look forward to receiving your:
- CV (max. 2 pages)
- Motivation letter (max. 1 page)
- Research proposal. This should be based on this project outline and use this template
You can apply via the red button until September 1st.
Interviews will take place on September 10, 2026.
For questions about the vacancy, you can contact: Dr. Jochem de Vries (j.devries1@uva.nl) or Dr. Michiel Stapper (e.w.stapper@uva.nl)
Acquisition in response to this vacancy is not appreciated.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
As an employer, the UvA maintains an equal opportunities policy. We value diversity and are fully committed to being a place where everyone feels at home. We nurture inquisitive minds and perseverance and allow room for persistent questioning. With us, curiosity and creativity are the prevailing culture.
Studies show that women and members of underrepresented groups only apply for jobs if they meet 100% of the qualifications. Do you meet the educational requirements but not yet all of the requested experience? The UvA encourages you to apply anyway.