PhD Candidate in Modeling Urban Resilience and Regreening (ReSURE2 Project) Leiden University in Netherlands

This PhD position at Leiden University offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to the ReSURE2 project, focusing on modeling urban resilience and regreening in coastal cities. The project aims to develop quantitative, spatially explicit models and digital tools to support climate-resilient, nature-inclusive, and socially just urban regeneration, with case studies in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Shanghai, and Xiamen. The successful candidate will join the Institute of Environmental Sciences (CML), a leading center for environmental sustainability research, and work within a highly interdisciplinary and international team.

The research will involve developing methods to identify and classify urban climate risk zones by integrating GIS with industrial ecology approaches, capturing both direct and indirect impacts of climate hazards. A significant methodological aspect is the combination of multi-regional input–output analysis with spatial data to assess cascading supply chain risks and systemic effects, supported by system dynamics modeling. The candidate will also model the effectiveness of nature-based solutions, particularly green–blue infrastructure, for heat and flood mitigation at the urban scale, collaborating closely with environmental biologists and other domain experts.

The position is embedded in a vibrant research environment, with over 150 staff at CML and close collaborations with other Dutch universities and research institutes. The PhD candidate will be part of a broader cohort working across industrial ecology, urban ecology, spatial planning, health, and environmental policy, and will actively engage with Sino-Dutch partners to test and extrapolate research findings for practical urban planning toolkits.

Applicants should have a Master’s degree in a relevant field (industrial ecology, environmental science, urban studies, spatial planning, geography, data science, or related), strong GIS and spatial data analysis skills, and experience with Python or a willingness to learn. The position offers a four-year contract, with a competitive salary (starting at €3,059 and rising to €3,881 per month), holiday and end-of-year bonuses, pension, paid parental leave, flexible working arrangements, and professional development opportunities through the Graduate School of Science. The intended start date is around May 2026.

To apply, submit your application via the Leiden University online recruitment system, including your CV, cover letter, and contact details for at least two referees, quoting the vacancy number. The deadline for applications is 15 April 2026. For further information, contact Dr. Tanya Tsui or Dr. Mingming Hu. Leiden University values diversity and encourages applications from candidates of all backgrounds.