PhD Researcher: Environmental Impacts of Spatial Demographic Change

Leiden University Centre for Linguistics; Leiden; Hybrid; EUR 36,000 - 45,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Holiday allowance 8%

End-of-year bonus 8.3%

ABP pension

Hybrid working

Home-working allowance

Laptop provided

Job summary

Leiden University Centre for Linguistics seeks a PhD Researcher to study Environmental Impacts of Spatial Demographic Change in Leiden. The project links population dynamics with urban form to assess future energy needs and GHG emissions.

You will develop models, integrate with life-cycle assessments, and explore adaptive reuse and planning strategies across Europe in a multi-disciplinary setting.

Qualifications

• Masters degree in Sustainability Sciences, Urban Planning, Engineering, Geospatial Science, or related discipline.

Responsibilities

• Develop high-resolution activity demand models for building and transport sectors under future spatially refined scenarios of European demographic change.
• Integrate activity demand projections with material flow and life-cycle models to quantify future energy requirements, material intensity, and GHG emissions.
• Evaluate adaptive reuse and circular strategies for vacant buildings and underutilized transport infrastructure in depopulating and/or aging regions.
• Design integrated spatial planning scenarios to support high wellbeing and low resource/emissions pathways across population change and urban/rural contexts.

Skills

English proficiency

Scientific writing

Communication skills

Collaboration

GIS analysis

Large datasets

Programming

Material Flow Analysis

Life Cycle Assessment

Demography & environment

Creativity

Education

Masters degree in Sustainability Sciences, Urban Planning, Engineering, Geospatial Science, or related discipline

Job description

Job Description

PhD Researcher: Environmental Impacts of Spatial Demographic Change

Vacancy number: 16964

Job type: PhD positions

Parttime in hours minus: 38

Parttime in hours max: 38

Location: Leiden

Application deadline: 11 January 2028

Key Responsibilities

The primary objective of this PhD project is to advance understanding of how spatial population distribution, demographic change (including aging population and smaller households), and urban form jointly shape future resource demand and GHG emissions. The project will evaluate core trade-offs in material and energy requirements and emissions, balancing the efficiency gains of urban density against the rise in vacant buildings and underutilized infrastructure caused by regional depopulation. Ultimately, the research will inform urban and regional development strategies to minimize net land take and GHG emissions, while catering to the needs of changing populations across the rural-urban continuum in Europe.

• Develop high-resolution activity demand models for building and transport sectors under future spatially refined scenarios of European demographic change.
• Integrate activity demand projections with material flow and life-cycle models to quantify future energy requirements, material intensity, and GHG emissions.
• Evaluate adaptive reuse and circular strategies for vacant buildings and underutilized transport infrastructure in depopulating and/or aging regions.
• Design integrated spatial planning scenarios combining built environment transformations with transport infrastructure investments to support high wellbeing and low resource/emissions pathways across population change and urban/rural contexts.

Where you will work

Leiden University is situated between Amsterdam (36 km) and The Hague (15 km) and was founded in 1575, making it the oldest university in the Netherlands. It houses around 35,000 students originating from 112 nationalities, facilitated by approximately 8,000 staff. The Institute of Environmental Science (CML) at Leiden University offers a vibrant and supportive community of scientists committed to the challenges of sustainability. CML distinguishes itself for its attention to professional development in coordination with the interests of its scientists. As such, there are plenty of opportunities to learn new skills, expand your knowledge, collaborate across disciplines, and experiment in a friendly environment fully embodying academic freedom across all career levels. The core focus of CML is to perform research and education in the interdisciplinary field of Environmental Sciences. CML focuses on the sustainable use of natural resources and preservation of natural capital and biodiversity. CML has a culture of mutual support and collaboration between researchers. CML has two Departments: Industrial Ecology (CML-IE) and Environmental Biology (CML-EB). Presently, about 150 fte (including postdocs and PhDs) are employed at CML. CML further collaborates with TU Delft and Erasmus University in the Leiden-Delft-Erasmus Centre for Sustainability (LDE-CfS), and with the Naturalis Biodiversity Centre. The Institute of Environmental Sciences (CML) is positioned in the Faculty of Sciences. The Faculty of Science is a world-class faculty where staff and students work together in a dynamic international environment. It is a faculty where personal and academic development are top priorities. Our people are committed to expanding fundamental knowledge by curiosity and looking beyond the borders of their own discipline; their aim is to benefit science and to make a contribution to addressing the major societal challenges of the future. The research carried out at the Faculty of Science is very diverse, ranging from mathematics, information science, astronomy, physics, chemistry and bio-pharmaceutical sciences to biology and environmental sciences. The research activities are organized in eight institutes. These institutes offer eight bachelor’s and twelve master’s programmes. The faculty has grown strongly in recent years and now has more than 2,800 staff and almost 6,000 students. We are located at the heart of Leiden’s Bio Science Park, one of Europe’s biggest science parks, where university and business life come together. For more information, see www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/science. Information about CML can be found at www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/science/environmental-sciences.

Selection Criteria

• Masters degree in Sustainability Sciences, Urban Planning, Engineering, Geospatial Science, or related discipline
• Written and oral proficiency in English, strong scientific writing, visual and verbal communication skills
• Collaborative mindset, ability to work independently in a multidisciplinary environment
• Experience with GIS analysis, working with large, quantitative datasets and programming
• Experience with or willingness to learn Material Flow Analysis and Life Cycle Assessment
• Keen interest in the intersection of societal demographic changes and environmental management
• Creative and curiosity-driven approach to problem solving

We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse team, welcoming applications from individuals of all backgrounds and experiences. Your unique perspectives will enrich our research and foster a collaborative and innovative environment.

What We Offer

We offer an initial one-year contract, with an option to extend for up to three further years based on performance, following the pay scale P in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. Salary ranges from € 3.204 in the first year to € 4.051 gross per month in the last year based on a full-time position.

With a full-time position (38 hours per week), you are entitled to 232 vacation hours per year, which is equivalent to 30.5 vacation days (based on a 38-hour work week). If you value flexibility, you have the freedom to adjust your working hours. For example, you could choose to work 40 hours per week, earning extra compensation hours. Alternatively, if you prefer a shorter work week, you can work 36 hours per week by using some of your vacation days to create more time for yourself. You’ll work closely with your supervisor to tailor your schedule in a way that suits both your needs and the team’s.

Benefits Package

• Holiday allowance (8%) and an end‑of‑year bonus (8.3%)
• An attractive pension scheme with ABP, ensuring your financial well‑being both now and in the future
• Extensive options for secondary employment conditions: You can explore options such as sabbaticals, paid parental leave, and the individual choices model, which allows you to exchange leave days and/or salary for benefits such as an advantageous sports subscription, bicycle scheme, and childcare options
• Hybrid working options: If your role allows, you can enjoy the flexibility of working from home within the Netherlands
• Home‑working allowance: You’ll receive a home‑working allowance (for both workdays and internet), and the university will provide you with a laptop and support for creating a comfortable home office
• PhD student support: As a PhD student, you’ll be part of the Graduate School of Science, which offers a variety of training courses at three levels: professional courses, skills training, and personal effectivenes.

We are committed to offering a flexible, supportive, and rewarding work environment, designed to help you grow both professionally and personally. For more information about the working conditions, please visit: https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/working-at/job-application-procedure-and-employment-conditions.

What We Value

At the Faculty of Science, we value inclusiveness and strive for a diverse community with equal opportunities for all. We give full support to our staff in achieving their potential to become independent academic researchers and teachers. For more information about our policy on diversity and equality please go to the diversity page on our website: https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/dossiers/diversity.

Female researchers are also welcome to join the Researchers In Science for Equality network of the Faculty of Science (rise.nu).

Contact

Enquiries can be made to Dr. Peter Berrill ([e-mail]).