PhD in Relational Monitoring for Liveable Futures in Sustainability, Biodiversity Monitoring and Knowledge Infrastructures Utrecht University in Netherlands

Utrecht University is advertising a PhD position in Relational Monitoring for Liveable Futures at the Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development / Faculty of Geosciences. The project sits at the intersection of environmental science, biology, sociology, political science, and knowledge infrastructures, with a strong focus on biodiversity monitoring, sustainability transformations, and the relationship between knowing and acting.

The PhD will explore how diverse forms of evidence can be connected through monitoring practices, and how context, sense of place, lived experience, and stakeholder engagement can be incorporated into knowledge infrastructures. The project is framed around “relational monitoring,” aiming to support novel forms of knowledge production, legitimation, circulation, and democratic decision-making around environmental and sustainability challenges.

You will work with monitoring projects related to biodiversity, and potentially land use and water resource management. The role includes qualitative research, interviews, participant observation, document analysis, workshops, design sessions, and action research. The project also connects to the Urban Futures Studio, with opportunities to develop prototypes, experiments, and practical implementations that support futuring and societal impact.

Supervision: Anne Beaulieu and Sietze Norder are named as part of the multidisciplinary supervision team. Anne Beaulieu is a Professor at Utrecht University and the announcer/poster of the opportunity.

Eligibility highlights: candidates from diverse disciplinary backgrounds are welcome, but familiarity with epistemology, sustainability transformations, transformative social innovation, and science and technology studies is especially relevant. Practical experience with monitoring and/or design is welcome. Strong qualitative research skills, independence, reflective thinking, and comfort in inter/transdisciplinary settings are important. Dutch proficiency is highly valued. Excellent English is required, with several accepted proof routes including TOEFL/IELTS or degree-based exemptions.

Funding and duration: this is a 4-year PhD appointment, initially for 1 year with extension after a successful assessment. The post is a salaried university position; no stipend amount is stated in the provided text.

Deadline: 27 May 2026.

How to apply: submit your application through the Utrecht University vacancy page. Review the full job description and language requirements carefully before applying.