PhD Opportunities in Geography in Netherlands

This EngD project at the University of Twente focuses on standardizing fieldwork and data management for Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) measurements at the university’s Utility Mapping Site (UMS). The project addresses a clear research gap: although many GPR systems are available, there is no systematic method for collecting, documenting, and comparing measurement data across systems and environmental settings. You will work on developing a consistent protocol for GPR field measurements, includi...

This EngD project at the University of Twente focuses on building AI methods for detecting underground infrastructure in ground penetrating radar (GPR) radargrams and estimating burial depth. The work builds on high-quality GPR data from the university’s Utility Mapping Site (UMS) , a dedicated test environment for utility mapping technologies. You will work on systematically collected and accurately annotated GPR datasets to develop and validate machine learning models that improve automated in...

This PhD position sits within GOV4CARE , a five-year European research project coordinated by the Health Systems and Services Research group at Amsterdam UMC in collaboration with the Centre for Sustainable Healthcare . The project focuses on how European healthcare systems can improve their ecological sustainability and climate resilience, and how these goals can be embedded in policy, governance, organization, and everyday care practice. The doctoral research is internationally comparative and...

This PhD project at Delft University of Technology explores how residents experience changing indoor temperatures and how natural variation in indoor thermal conditions can support healthier and more energy-efficient dwellings. The research is embedded in the NWO-funded Nature 4 Homes project and focuses on existing homes in the Netherlands under current and future climate conditions. You will work on a citizen science-based study of indoor and outdoor thermal and ventilation conditions, combini...

This PhD project at Delft University of Technology explores how nature-based building skins can be used to retrofit existing homes for hotter climates. The research sits at the intersection of building physics, architecture, ecology, and user-centered design , with a clear focus on improving indoor comfort while reducing reliance on energy-intensive cooling systems. You will work on the development of innovative façade concepts that combine vegetation, circular materials, and smart ventilation s...

CLIMACT is a four-year Horizon Europe project on climate adaptation through collaborative transferability, coordinated by Dr. Shadi Sharif Azadeh and involving 17 partners across eight European countries. This PhD project sits in the mobility domain and focuses on how flooding and extreme heat affect public transport and urban mobility networks. The doctoral researcher will work on advanced modelling and optimization approaches that combine climate projections, transport network simulation, and ...

This PhD project focuses on the acoustic performance of timber structure connections in lightweight buildings. The research tackles a central challenge in sustainable construction: timber and other biobased structures can offer a low-carbon alternative to conventional materials, but their sound insulation can vary substantially and is often difficult to predict accurately. Working within the QUIET-ARC project , the PhD candidate will investigate how different connection types and layouts — such ...

This PhD project at Eindhoven University of Technology focuses on using data science, artificial intelligence, and advanced analytics to understand and improve how housing conditions affect children’s health and development. The research asks how inadequate insulation, heating, and ventilation during pregnancy and early childhood shape health outcomes, which housing upgrades offer the greatest benefits, and how behavioural modelling and AI can support healthier, more equitable homes. The success...

The SPACES project at Utrecht University explores how inclusive play and sport can be supported for children with disabilities or chronic illnesses through the design of more inclusive living environments. The project brings together research and co-creation to understand the barriers and enablers of inclusive outdoor space, with a strong focus on how children can participate in play and sport together. The PhD candidate will investigate the role of community platforms in sharing knowledge about...