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Postdoctoral Researcher

North HollandHybrid34.2 hours/week>12months

The transformation of urban streets has become a focal point where political, social, economic, and ecological conflicts converge.

A European project aims to turn these conflicts into opportunities for creating inclusive urban environments, by embedding justice in knowledge production around street transformations.
The methodology employed is interdisciplinary, comparative, and participatory; it combines qualitative and quantitative research methods with diverse analytical approaches, computational tools, and practical experiments in public spaces.
Through five 'Urban Living Labs' in various European cities, the project explores how conflicts over street transformations can be turned into spaces for negotiation and co-creation.
As a postdoctoral researcher, you will play a central role in developing 'agonistic street experiments': temporary arrangements of urban streets where diverse visions of the street's function can be brought forward and discussed.
The 'Urban Living Labs' in two Dutch cities will serve as the primary test locations.
The methodological focus is on qualitative research and field experiments.
You will work closely with professors and be part of a consortium consisting of leading universities and policymakers from four European countries.
You will be affiliated with an Urban Planning research group, part of a Department of Geography, Planning, and International Development Studies.

What you do

Conduct research for three years on the development and testing of a confrontation and debate-oriented approach to street experiments (0.80 FTE).
Compile an overview of the current scientific and societal state of affairs at the intersection of urban mobility transitions, street transformations, social contestation, and participation, to identify the main conceptual and practical issues.
Contribute to developing and testing an approach to street experiments where the design and experience of alternative forms, regulations, and uses of the street are employed as a platform to connect diverse interests, perspectives, and forms of knowledge, with the aim of creating a more diverse and inclusive street.
Conceive, execute, monitor, and evaluate street experiments in two Dutch cities, in close collaboration with the respective municipalities.
(Co-)organize consortium meetings and workshops to share and discuss insights.
Contribute to international debates on contestation and participation within urban mobility transitions and street transformations, for example by presenting your work at international conferences and publishing in highly-ranked scientific journals.
Take a leading role in preparing publications and research results, including joint scientific articles, policy briefs, and community events.
Supervise Master's theses within the Research Master Urban Studies and the Master Urban and Regional Planning (0.1 FTE).

What they ask

Enthusiastic, critical, and creative researcher at the start of their career.
Affinity with connecting theory to empirical analysis and practically testing changes in urban mobility and public space.
Driven to translate research results into concrete interventions, in continuous dialogue with societal stakeholders.
Ability to work independently and build new networks with other researchers, policymakers, and communities.
Working knowledge of the Dutch language (B2 level) and ability to operate independently within the Dutch research and policy context.

Doctorate (PhD) in urban and regional planning, urbanism, 'urban studies', social geography, urban sociology, or a closely related field.
Doctorate obtained before a specific date in 2027.
Demonstrable experience with field research on urban mobility and public space, including associated social practices and policymaking.
Thorough knowledge of the literature on urban mobility transitions, public space transformation, and policymaking in conflict situations.
Demonstrable experience with advanced qualitative research methods, action research, and conceptual thinking.
Demonstrable experience with inter- and transdisciplinary research projects.
Good command of the English language (written and spoken).
Good command of the Dutch language (written and spoken – B2 level or higher).
Preferably one or two scientific publications to your name, or a promising series of articles in preparation.
Ability to work both in a team and independently.

The position is a temporary employment for a maximum period of 3 years.
The initial employment contract is for one year, with the possibility of extension.
Opportunities to follow training courses and participate in national and international events.
The position falls under the university job profile 'Researcher 3'.
An extensive package of secondary employment conditions, including holiday allowance and an end-of-year bonus.
Excellent opportunities for further professional development and training.
A research team with a strong international profile, consisting of enthusiastic and collegial academics.
Resources for academic exchange, fieldwork, and dissemination of research results, both in the Netherlands and abroad.
Embedding in leading European academic research and policy networks.
An inspiring academic and international working environment.

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