University of Groningen
The Department of Spatial Planning and Environment (Faculty of Spatial Sciences) invites outstanding candidates seeking to study for a PhD in Urban Planning, Advanced Systems Analysis and Modelling to submit a research project. The research project – to be proposed by the candidate – starts from the understanding that the world evolves non-linear, and relates strongly to complex adaptive system behaviour. However, the urban environment is also a multiple systems environment. Consequently, the research will not only focus on the modelling and simulation of content and process, but also considers conditions under which systems evolve to be relevant. The research will make use of digital developments such as big and small data, multi-agent systems, non-linearity & complexity, application development, or 3D visualization.
Change is the only constant within our environment. Cities are a good example of complex adaptive systems (CAS) which change over time in structural and functional senses. They incorporate multi-level interactions, complex social dynamics and non-linear feedback loops alterating existing patterns. Thus, planning questions and challenges must contribute to our understanding of adaptive, self-organizing systems within the urban, which help planning practitioners to deal with uncertain, incremental processes of urban change addressing a sustainable built environment.
It is to this line of thought to which the PhD research seeks to find new creative answers for planning to consider spatial transformation in the context of complex system theory, either in a methodological sense, via computer application development (e.g. multi-agent models) or using enhanced technologies in the context of virtual realities, incorporating also the current discussion of smart cities contributing to the overall arching theme of improving quality of life.
Conditions of employment
The PhD project will be carried out within the Faculty’s Department of Spatial Planning and Environment, and within the Faculty’s research agenda tWIST (towards Well-being, Innovation and Spatial Transformation) at the University of Groningen. The teaching load is limited but allows building experience in teaching.
The University of Groningen offers depending on qualifications and work experience a minimum salary of € 2,174 gross a month in the first year to a maximum of € 2,779 gross a month in the final year, based on a full time position (1.0 fte). The position is limited to a period of 4 years. The first year constitutes a probationary period, with an evaluation of the candidate’s performance after the first year. The objective of this evaluation is to establish whether the candidate will be able to finish a PhD thesis in the remaining three years. If the performance evaluation is positive, the candidate’s contract will be extended by another 3 years, for a total of 4 years. A PhD training programme is part of the agreement and the successful candidate will be enrolled in the Graduate School of Spatial Sciences.
The preferred starting date is October 2016.
Applications for the position have to include:
– a cover letter including motivation statement
– curriculum vitae
– research proposal (max. 500 words)
– copy of the university marks (grade list of both Bachelor and master degree)
– names of two references.