PhD and Postdoc Openings in Human Geography and Spatial Planning on Urban Densification, Land-Rent Distribution, and Postgrowth University of Bern in Canada

We are recruiting two PhD candidates and one postdoc for the international research project REBUILD (“Follow the money! REconstructing Belief systems behind Urban Intensification and Land-rent Distribution”). The project is based at the University of Bern and Utrecht University, with collaboration across Switzerland and the Netherlands, and is funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation.

The project examines urban densification as a contested process of land-rent creation and redistribution, focusing on how actors, values, discourses, and institutions shape sustainable or unsustainable urban futures. The postdoc in Bern will study discourses around land rent, policy beliefs, project-level negotiations, and institutional arrangements, while also contributing to project synthesis and coordination. The Bern PhD position focuses on how public interests and requirements such as affordability, care infrastructure, and public access are negotiated within densification projects. The Utrecht PhD position focuses on how environmental and design requirements, such as sustainability standards, material choices, and architectural competitions, are negotiated in practice.

Research themes and keywords: human geography, spatial planning, urban development, discourse analysis, institutional analysis, public policy analysis, comparative case studies, sustainability, postgrowth, land-rent distribution, densification governance.

Eligibility highlights: The postdoc requires an excellent PhD in human geography or a related social science discipline, plus strong experience in discourse analysis, institutional approaches and/or public policy analysis, and excellent English plus one project language (German, French, or Dutch). The PhD positions require an excellent Master’s degree in Human Geography, Spatial Planning, or a related social science field, with case study/comparative analysis skills preferred and GIS or discourse/institutional analysis experience as a plus. For all roles, interest in urban development, teamwork, precision, and self-organization are emphasized.

Funding and terms: The Bern postdoc is a 90% fixed-term position for 48 months. The Bern PhD is a 100% fixed-term position for 48 months with a 2026 gross annual salary of 50,042 CHF (including 13th month salary). The Utrecht PhD is a 1-year appointment at 1.0 FTE, extendable to 4 years after a successful first-year assessment, with a gross monthly salary of €3,059–€3,881 plus holiday pay and year-end bonus.

Application window: The Bern application deadline for full consideration is 15 May 2026 (rolling until filled afterward). The Utrecht deadline is 8 May 2026. Applicants should submit a motivation letter, CV with transcripts, and two references; the Bern postdoc also requires a PhD thesis PDF, and the Utrecht PhD requires a writing sample.