PhD student: Institutional Approaches to Managing Public Space Wageningen • Wageningen University & Research

Are you fascinated by the governance of public spaces and eager to explore innovative solutions for inclusive, resilient, and sustainable environments? Join the interdisciplinary team at the university as a PhD researcher to investigate how institutional frameworks can enhance the management of public spaces. Dive into case studies, evaluate governance mechanisms, and contribute to actionable strategies. Benefit from partially paid parental leave, a focus on work-life balance, and access to campus sports facilities. Continue reading to see how you can make a difference in our team.

Your job

Are you intrigued by how our streets, parks, squares and landscapes are managed—and how institutions shape those spaces? Do you want to explore new governance solutions that ensure public spaces are inclusive, resilient, and sustainable? Then you might be the ideal PhD candidate to join our interdisciplinary team at Wageningen University & Research!

We are looking for a highly motivated PhD researcher to investigate the institutional dimensions of managing public space — a crucial but often overlooked area in urban and regional development. While much attention goes to the design and planning of public spaces, their long-term management is just as important. Most of a public space’s life happens after it's built—and the quality of that life depends heavily on how it is governed.

This PhD project will explore how institutions — formal rules, informal norms, and governance mechanisms — can better support the maintenance, adaptation, and transformation of public space. You’ll study how these institutional arrangements influence public space outcomes such as accessibility, safety, social value, and sustainability.

Key questions include:

• How can governance structures better coordinate the multiple actors involved in managing public space?
• How can they adapt to dynamic societal needs and increasing spatial interdependencies?
• What institutional models promote more efficient, equitable and resilient management?

Your work will combine theoretical analysis with real-world case studies to identify promising institutional approaches. You’ll evaluate current governance mechanisms, financial instruments, and participatory practices—and contribute to actionable strategies for improving how public spaces are managed in complex and changing environments.

Ready to challenge existing paradigms and shape the future of public space governance? We’d love to hear from you!

Your duties and responsibilities include:

• Publishing a PhD thesis based on the project work.
• Teaching (10% of time) through contributions to the group’s courses in WUR’s teaching programs.
• Organisation of, and participating in, events and feedback sessions with the foundation Managing Public Space

You will work here
The research is embedded within two complementary research groups: the Landscape Architecture and Spatial Planning group. The Land Use Planning chair group (LUP) focuses on the planning of sustainable landscapes that address urgent environmental issues like climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation. We aim to understand the interactions within social-physical systems, considering land uses and diverse stakeholders. The chair group has a young and dynamic team with many other PhD candidates to connect to. We provide an inclusive and diverse working environment. You will be co-supervised by dr. ir. Arjan Hijdra, dr. Barbara Tempels and prof. Martha Bakker.
Your qualities

You are someone who:

• Is excited about contributing to smart approaches to manage public space
• Seeks intellectual challenges and opportunities for growth
• Can work both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team
• Is self-motivated, curiosity-driven and takes initiative
• Has strong organizational skills and excellent communication skills

You also possess:

• A successfully completed (or about to be completed) MSc degree in Spatial Planning or a related field, such as Public Policy, Environmental Sciences or Social Sciences;
• Demonstrated affinity with spatial development
• Experience with qualitative research related to planning processes, governance and instruments;
• Proficiency in Dutch (native speaker or level B2) to perform fieldwork.

For this position your command of the English language is expected to be at C1 level. Sometimes it is necessary to submit an internationally recognised Certificate of Proficiency in the English Language. More information can be found here.
We offer you

Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment. A few highlights from our Collective Labour Agreement include:

• Partially paid parental leave;
• working hours that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow for the best possible work-life balance;
• there is a strong focus on vitality and you can make use of the sports facilities available on campus for a small fee;
• a fixed year-end bonus of 8.3%;
• excellent pension scheme.

In addition to these first-rate employee benefits, you will receive a fully funded PhD position and you will be offered a course program tailored to your needs and the research team.
The gross salary for the first year is € 2.901,- per month rising to € 3.707,-  in the fourth year in according to the Collective Labour Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU) (scale P). This is based on a full-time working week of 38 hours. We offer a temporary contract for 18 months which will be extended for the duration of the project if you perform well.

Wageningen University & Research offers plenty of opportunities for growth and development, with a strong internal recruitment policy and excellent training programmes.

You will work on the greenest and most innovative campus in the Netherlands, in an international and open working environment. For 20 consecutive years, we have been voted the "best university" in the Netherlands! A place to be proud of.

Coming from abroad
Wageningen University & Research is the university and research centre for life sciences. The themes we deal with are relevant to everyone around the world and Wageningen, therefore, has a large international community and a lot to offer to international employees.

Because we expect you to work and live in the Netherlands our team of advisors on Dutch immigration procedures will help you with the visa application procedures for yourself and, if applicable, for your family.
Feeling welcome also has everything to do with being well informed. We can assist you with any additional advice and information about for example helping your partner to find a job, housing, or schooling. Finally, certain categories of international staff may be eligible for a tax exemption on a part of their salary during the first five years in the Netherlands.
Do you want more information?

For more information about this position, please contact dr. ir. Arjan Hijdra, lead researcher Managing Public Space, telephone or by e-mail via de button "Solliciteer nu" op deze pagina. or dr. Barbara Tempels, assistant professor, telephone or by e-mail via de button "Solliciteer nu" op deze pagina.. 

Questions about the procedure? Get in touch with Jessa Rozema, Corporate Recruiter, via de button "Solliciteer nu" op deze pagina.

Ready to apply?
Click on the application button next to the vacancy on our website. Only applications submitted through our website will be considered.
You can apply until August 11st, 2025.

Additional information form
For this position, you must fill in a mandatory form which will allow us to have a comprehensive view of your qualifications and better assess your fit for it. You can access the form using the link below:

Your prompt response will ensure that your application continues to move forward in the evaluation process. We assure you that the information provided will be kept confidential and used solely for this application process.

Welcome, safe, and valued
Wageningen University & Research (WUR) highly values diversity and inclusion because we believe that different insights lead to innovative solutions. We create a work environment where everyone feels welcome, safe, and appreciated, regardless of background, identity, or experience. Together, we are building a culture where everyone's unique contribution adds to the success of our organization.

We are

The mission of Wageningen University & Research is ‘To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life’.

We pursue this mission through a synergistic approach between Wageningen University and Wageningen Research Foundation (applied research). Our research focuses on questions within the domains of food, living environment, and society. With approximately 30 locations, 7,700 staff members, 2,500 PhD candidates, and over 13,000 students, Wageningen University & Research is among the world’s leading knowledge institutions in its domain. The integral approach to challenges and the collaboration across various disciplines form the core of the unique Wageningen approach.

Read the 5 reasons why your future colleagues enjoy working at WUR.

We will recruit for the vacancy ourselves, so no employment agencies please. However, sharing in your network is appreciated.