PhD Position in Human-Environment Interaction, Climate Adaptation, and Social Sciences at Utrecht University

Utrecht University is offering a PhD position on the Delta Climate Center (DCC)-funded project ‘Delta Values’, focusing on the intersection of climate adaptation, human-landscape interaction, and social sciences. The project is based in Zeeland, a region with a rich history of living with environmental hazards such as floods and droughts, now facing increased risks due to climate change, sea level rise, and salinisation. The research aims to understand how residents of Zeeland have historically adapted, are currently adapting, and foresee their future in the face of environmental changes. The PhD project is highly interdisciplinary, involving collaboration between Utrecht University, University College Roosevelt, and a network of educational and societal partners. The research will draw on anthropology, environmental and cultural history, social and environmental psychology, and related fields. Key themes include place attachment, socio-cultural dimensions of risk, and the construction of hopeful narratives for resilient communities. The project leverages Zeeland’s archival and cultural heritage to inspire new generations and inform future adaptation strategies. As a PhD candidate, you will collect and analyze data on human-landscape relationships, adaptation attitudes, and community resilience. Methods include interviews, document analysis, questionnaires, futuring, and ethnography. You will engage with local communities, stakeholders, and other DCC projects such as Delta Protein, Flexible Deltas, and ProceZ, exploring synergies in sustainable food production, nature-based solutions, and circular economies. The position requires either relocation to Vlissingen or a substantial presence there, working at the newly established Delta Climate Center. Applicants should have a Master’s degree in a relevant field, experience with interdisciplinary research, and proficiency in both Dutch and English. Strong communication skills, stakeholder engagement experience, and a collaborative spirit are essential. The position offers a competitive salary, benefits, and professional development opportunities, with an initial contract of 18 months and the possibility of extension. Application deadline is 15 March 2026. For more information and to apply, visit the Utrecht University job portal.