Maarten Kleinhans

Utrecht University’s Faculty of Geosciences is advertising multiple PhD openings across geosciences, human geography, education, innovation studies, environmental science, and planetary health. The post highlights nine interdisciplinary PhD projects, with the first vacancies now open and more to follow. Open PhD projects include: - Global Talent Interdependence and Europe’s Strategic Innovation Ambitions : a fully funded four-year PhD in the Department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning, focusing on global talent mobility, innovation systems, migration, and geography. Methods include longitudinal data, publication and patent data, quantitative and mixed methods. - Geosciences students’ professional identity development : a PhD in education/geoscience education exploring how students develop confidence, motivation, self-efficacy, and professional identity, using surveys, interviews, focus groups, curriculum analysis, and longitudinal narrative study. - Parenting and caregiving in contaminated water landscapes : a PhD on PFAS contamination, toxic geographies, planetary health, and the lived experience of raising children in polluted environments, combining qualitative methods with soil/water measurements and PFAS modelling. - Fine Particles in Shallow Groundwater Systems : a PhD in Earth Sciences on particle dynamics, aquifer stratigraphy, groundwater flow, and clogging in Utrecht ATES wells, using subsurface data, experiments, and numerical modelling. Funding and conditions: The positions are fully funded doctoral appointments with an initial one-year contract and extension to four years after a successful assessment. Salary is listed at €3,059–€3,881 gross per month for full-time work, plus holiday pay, year-end bonus, pension, and other employment benefits. Eligibility highlights: Applicants should have a relevant Master’s degree, strong motivation for research, and the skills relevant to the specific project. Depending on the vacancy, this may include quantitative analysis, mixed methods, qualitative research, programming, web scraping, numerical modelling, English proficiency, and in one case Dutch C1 level. Application window: Deadlines shown in the post and vacancy pages include 25 May 2026, 7 June 2026, 10 June 2026, and 21 June 2026. Applicants should apply through the online application button on the relevant Utrecht University vacancy page and upload the requested documents.

Utrecht University’s Faculty of Geosciences is offering a PhD position focused on the professional identity development of geoscience students. This research project aims to explore how educational programs can support students in developing confidence, motivation, and a clear sense of their professional trajectory. The project addresses the challenge that geography degrees do not lead to a clearly defined profession, which can create uncertainty for students regarding their future careers and affect their study success and transition to work. The PhD candidate will investigate how geography students’ professional identity evolves during their studies, how it impacts motivation and self-efficacy, and which educational activities can strengthen this development. The research will contribute to the faculty’s ambition to enhance student development and create societal impact by fostering collaborations between students, alumni, professional societies (such as KNAG), and the wider public. The project is interdisciplinary, connecting educational sciences, geography education, and both physical and human geography. The candidate will work closely with students, educators, alumni, and professional societies, and be supervised by Dr. Marielle Zill, Dr. Tom Wils, Prof. Dr. Maarten Kleinhans, and Prof. Dr. Tine Béneker. The candidate will join a vibrant community of ten PhD students conducting research at the intersection of geography and education within the Geography & Education Section of the Department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning. Main responsibilities include conducting mixed-methods case study research, designing and administering surveys among bachelor’s and master’s students, organizing focus groups, performing curriculum and institutional analysis, and carrying out longitudinal narrative studies. The candidate will publish results in academic and professional outlets, present findings at conferences and workshops, and support program heads in designing educational activities based on project insights. Teaching relevant courses (up to 10% of the appointment) is also part of the role. Applicants should have a Master degree in Geography Education, Educational Sciences, Social- and Behavioral Sciences, Geosciences, or related fields. Experience with teaching in higher education is valued but not required. Candidates must be motivated, familiar with mixed-methods research, and skilled in quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis. Excellent English and proficient Dutch (C1 level) are required, along with demonstrated academic writing skills. The ideal candidate is collaborative, communicative, organized, and proactive. The position is for one year, with possible extension to four years upon successful assessment, aiming for completion of a doctorate. The salary ranges from €3,059 to €3,881 per month (full-time), with additional benefits including holiday pay, year-end bonus, pension scheme, parental leave, flexible employment terms, and professional development opportunities. Utrecht University offers a supportive and inclusive environment, encouraging personal and professional growth. To apply, submit your application via the Utrecht University portal, including a motivation letter, CV, writing sample, and contact details of two referees. Recommendation letters are requested only for shortlisted candidates. The application deadline is 7 June 2026. For further information, contact Dr. Marielle Zill at [email protected].