Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR) is offering a fully funded PhD position focused on the study of new collaborative partnerships between citizen collectives (CCs) and local governments. The position is based at the Erasmus School of Social and Behavioural Sciences (ESSB) and is part of the larger ECCO research consortium, Empowering Citizen Collectives. The research will be supervised by prof.dr. Jurian Edelenbos, Dr. Ingmar van Meerkerk, and Dr. Wouter Spekkink.

The project aims to understand how CCs and local governments can co-create public value through partnerships grounded in trust, reciprocity, inclusiveness, and joint ownership. The research will employ comparative case studies, participatory action research, and Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) to address complex, real-world problems. The PhD researcher will collect and analyze data from multiple CCs across Rotterdam, Arnhem, and other municipalities, conduct longitudinal studies, and develop an interactive game to simulate co-creative strategies.

Applicants should have a Master’s degree in Public Administration, Political Science, Urban Studies, or a related field, with experience in qualitative, community-based, participatory, or ethnographic research. Proficiency in Dutch and English is mandatory. The position offers a salary of €3,059 – €3,881 per month (full-time), 41 days paid leave, holiday and year-end bonuses, pension scheme, and various benefits for international staff. The start date is 1 September 2026, and the application deadline is 14 February 2026.

To apply, candidates must submit a motivation letter and CV via the EUR applicant portal. The selection process includes two interviews between mid-January and mid-February 2026. For more information, contact prof.dr. Jurian Edelenbos at [email protected].

Key academic keywords: citizen collectives, government collaboration, public value co-creation, participatory action research, soft systems methodology, urban studies, public administration, political science, ethnography.