Ben Somers

This joint PhD position in Urban Green Exposure & Health Analytics is offered by KU Leuven in collaboration with the University of Essex. The successful candidate will be embedded in two leading research groups: the Division of Forest, Nature & Landscape and the Ecology, Evolution and Biodiversity Conservation group at KU Leuven, as well as the Institute of Public Health & Wellbeing (IPHW) at the University of Essex. The research will focus on advancing the BRANCH project, which aims to develop human-centred metrics for urban green exposure and link them to health outcomes in millions of people in Belgium. The candidate will spend approximately two years at KU Leuven and two years at the University of Essex, benefiting from joint supervision by Prof. Ben Somers, Prof. Raf Aerts, and Dr. Ruoyu Wang. The project combines expertise in urban ecology, green infrastructure, remote sensing, GIS, environmental health, biodiversity, and public health. The research will involve conceptual work on green space typologies, advanced geospatial analytics, AI-based image analysis, citizen science, and large-scale health data analysis. The aim is to create a new generation of exposure metrics that reflect how people see, access, and experience urban greenery, and to assess their impact on mental and physical health across diverse population groups. The candidate will engage with planners, health professionals, stakeholders, and citizen groups, contributing to co-creation workshops, advisory boards, and communication activities. The work will help translate scientific insights into practical guidance for healthier, more equitable cities. The position offers excellent training opportunities, conference participation, and integration into dynamic, internationally recognised research environments. Applicants must have an MSc degree in a relevant field (Bioscience Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Geography, Public Health, Data Science, Remote Sensing, Geomatics or similar), strong analytical and programming skills (Python or similar), and experience in at least two areas such as geospatial analysis, GIS, remote sensing, environmental exposure assessment, or health data analysis. Good English communication skills and the ability to work independently and collaboratively are essential. Additional assets include experience with computer vision or deep learning, familiarity with street-level imagery, interest in urban health or environmental epidemiology, affinity with citizen science, and motivation to translate research into policy and practice. The position is funded as a 4-year full-time joint PhD fellowship, with a formal mid-term evaluation after 12 months. The expected start date is as soon as possible, but before May 2026. KU Leuven and the University of Essex are committed to diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunity. For more information, contact Prof. Ben Somers at [email protected]. To apply, submit a motivation letter, CV, contact details of two referees, and optionally examples of previous work via the KU Leuven jobsite. The application deadline is 6 March 2026.

A joint PhD position is available in Urban Green Exposure & Health Analytics, focusing on the development of human-centred green exposure metrics by integrating GIS, remote sensing, street-level imagery, AI, and large-scale health data. The research aims to better understand how urban greenery impacts mental and physical health outcomes. This 4-year program is a collaboration between KU Leuven (Division Forest, Nature & Landscape & Ecology, Evolution and Biodiversity Conservation) and the University of Essex (Institute of Public Health & Wellbeing), with two years spent at each institution. The ideal candidate will have a strong MSc background, advanced analytical and programming skills, and experience in geospatial analysis, remote sensing, exposure assessment, or health data. The project is fully funded, and further details on the stipend and tuition coverage are available in the full vacancy announcement. Interested applicants should review the full job posting and submit their application through the KU Leuven job portal. This opportunity is ideal for those interested in environmental science, public health, geography, and interdisciplinary research at the intersection of urban ecology and health analytics.

This fully funded PhD position at KU Leuven offers an exciting opportunity to advance research in dryland ecosystem stability and remote sensing. The successful candidate will join the Division Forest, Nature & Landscape, a renowned research group with expertise in landscape ecology, dryland systems, ecosystem resilience, and advanced Earth observation. The group has a strong presence in African drylands and collaborates with local universities, NGOs, and land management agencies. The PhD is part of the international StableScapes project, which aims to develop a new framework for understanding woody vegetation stability, resilience, and collapse in dryland ecosystems. The project challenges traditional binary classifications of ecosystem states by integrating satellite data, drone imagery, and field observations across several African regions. The research will focus on mapping tree mortality and shrub encroachment, analyzing fire–drought interactions, and investigating how biodiversity and soil properties influence ecosystem resistance, recovery, and collapse. As a PhD researcher, you will develop high-resolution remote sensing products, analyze environmental time series, and participate in international field campaigns. Your work will contribute to decision-support tools for conservation, restoration, and climate-smart land management. The position includes research stays at the University of Copenhagen and the Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry, providing access to unique multi-scale datasets and a strong international training environment. Applicants must have an MSc degree in Bioscience Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Ecology, Geography, Remote Sensing, or a closely related discipline. Essential skills include experience with remote sensing, GIS, spatial data analysis, programming (Python, R, or similar), and willingness to conduct fieldwork in African dryland regions. Good English communication skills and the ability to work independently and in an interdisciplinary team are required. Additional assets include experience with time-series analysis, familiarity with dryland ecosystems, and interest in conservation and restoration. The position offers a 4-year fully funded PhD contract, joint supervision by Prof. Ben Somers and Dr. Sybryn Maes (KU Leuven), in collaboration with Prof. Martin Brandt and Prof. Stephanie Horion (University of Copenhagen). Opportunities for conference participation, advanced training, and professional development are provided. KU Leuven is committed to diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunity. Applications are accepted online via the KU Leuven jobsite. The expected start date is preferably early June 2026. For more information, contact Prof. Ben Somers at [email protected].