PhD in Access to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Infrastructure and Quality of Life among Peri-Urban Communities in Bangladesh Wageningen University and Research in Netherlands

This interdisciplinary PhD position is part of the FLASH project (Facilitating Livelihood through Advancing Smart Habitats in Peri-Urban Bangladesh), which aims to develop climate-resilient livelihood options for peri-urban populations in Bangladesh. The project addresses complex challenges at the intersection of environmental change, socio-economic factors, and informal societal processes. FLASH employs a Living Lab approach, fostering co-creation and collective management to answer the central question: how can sustainable, climate-resilient livelihoods be created for peri-urban populations in Bangladesh?

The project is structured into six interlinked work packages, with this PhD vacancy linked to WP4, focusing on water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services and public health. The successful candidate will investigate the relationship between WASH infrastructure, public health, and the resilience of peri-urban communities in Khulna and Barisal, Bangladesh, particularly in the context of hydro-climatic hazards and man-made stressors.

The research will use mixed-methods fieldwork (quantitative and qualitative), econometric and spatial analysis, and community engagement to understand how WASH infrastructure availability and accessibility impact the quality of life among low-income peri-urban communities. The project also aims to identify water and sanitation solutions that improve livelihoods and enable resource recovery and safe reuse. The PhD will be awarded by Wageningen University and Research (WUR), and the candidate will join the Urban Systems Engineering (USE) research group in the Environmental Technology (ETE) department. Supervision will be provided by Prof.

Dr. Adriaan Mels (Promotor), Dr. Kamonashish Haldar (Co-promotor & Daily Supervisor), and Dr. Farzana Misha (local supervisor, BRAC JPGSPH, BRAC University).

The position is a Sandwich PhD: the candidate will spend 15 months in Wageningen (over three stays) and the remainder in Bangladesh at partner institutes (BUET/BRAC University) over a total of 48 months. Funding includes a gross salary in the Netherlands and a fellowship during the Bangladesh stay. The project offers a vibrant, international research environment, opportunities for professional growth, and support for international staff.

Applicants must have a relevant Master’s degree, fluency in Bengali, experience with both qualitative and quantitative research methods, proficiency in spatial analysis tools or willingness to learn, and excellent English (C1 level). Applications are open until 25 November 2025.