- Complete a PhD dissertation consisting of research articles within the official appointment period of four years;
- gain knowledge of the field through literature research, discussion with team members, and internal research meetings;
- contribute to the design of empirical studies (e.g., surveys, interviews, and an experimental intervention study);
- plan, organize, and conduct data-collection, analyse and interpret results of the different studies;
- present results at local, national and international scientific meetings;
- submit research articles to esteemed international peer-reviewed journals;
- engage in valorisation activities;
- contribute to the vibrant academic life in Amsterdam in terms of events, workshops, meetings, activities, and lectures;
- contribute to teaching activities.
- MSc in Urban Planning, Urban Studies, Communication science, Pedagogics, Psychology, or a related field or will obtain this degree before the start of the project;
- experience with quantitative research methods and data analyses (e.g., in SPSS or R);
- affinity with sustainability;
- affinity with children;
- experience with (or are eager to learn) qualitative research methods and data analyses;
- good analytical, writing, and presenting skills;
- good project and time management skills enabling you to meet the projects' deadlines for finishing analyses, reports and other deliverables;
- eager to learn new things, conscientious, flexible, and a collaborative attitude;
- fluency in English, both written and spoken;
- fluency in Dutch, both written and spoken;
- strongly committed to methodological rigor and scientific integrity;
- motivated to share exchange knowledge with academic and non-academic audiences.
- A challenging work environment with ample scope for individual initiative and development within an inspiring organization;
- an interdisciplinary setting, where you will be part of the and AISSR (Program Group: Urban Planning), and are welcome to join research meetings at Communication Science's ECoLab as well as the Environmental Psychology Lab group;
- working on a unique project, combining insights from different fields, working with stakeholders from practice, and contributing to shaping the content of the PhD project;
- an enthusiastic and warm team that is open to new colleagues;
- an inspiring academic and international working environment in the heart of Amsterdam.
PhD Project "How Urban Greening Initiatives Shape Children's Environmental Attitudes and Behaviour" - Amsterdam, Nederland - Universiteit van Amsterdam
Beschrijving
What are you going to do
You will be working on the overall research question: How do green urban spaces and initiatives shape children's environmental behaviour? While doing so, you will take an encompassing approach. The influence of environmental factors, such as urban greening initiatives, on children's pro-environmental attitudes and behaviours depends on individual factors, such as their environmental knowledge and media use, as well as social factors like their peers and parents. There are thus far few studies examining the influence of these factors combined. In the current project, we therefore take an encompassing approach and focus on how the urban green initiatives shape children's pro-environmental attitudes and behaviours and how individual and social factors might catalyse or hamper this effect.
The scientific approach of this project is marked by its multifaceted methodology and includes qualitative (interviews) and quantitative (surveys, experiments) studies. We will investigate the associations between environmental, individual, social factors, and children's pro-environmental attitudes and behaviours; we will explore children's perceptions of different types of greening initiatives; and we will conduct a field intervention experiment to test how greening the city impacts attitudes and behaviours, and how individual and social factors might moderate the impact of such greening initiatives. Through these diverse research methods, the project aims to collect both qualitative and quantitative data, ensuring robust findings and a comprehensive understanding of (the effects of) urban greening initiatives.
Tasks during your PhD
You will:
What we are looking for
You are enthusiastic about conducting empirical research with children regarding sustainability. You thrive in interdisciplinary environments, collaborating as a team player with excellent communication skills. Proactive by nature, you autonomously pursue necessary tasks while remaining open to seeking assistance when required. You are unhesitant to dive in and network with stakeholders (e.g., schools, municipalities).
Your experience and profile:
What can we offer you
The starting date is flexible, but the aimed starting date is September 1st, . The position concerns temporary employment of 1.0 fte (38 hours per week) for a maximum term of 4 years. The initial employment is for one year. Following a positive assessment and barring altered circumstances, this term will be extended by a maximum of 36 months, which should result in the conferral of a doctorate. We will put together a curriculum which will also include the opportunity to attend training courses and both national and international events. You will also be tasked with teaching Bachelor's students. For this position the University Job Classification profile "promovendus" applies.
Your salary will be €2. gross per month in the first year and will increase to €3. in the final year, based on full-time employment and in keeping with the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities. We additionally offer an extensive package of secondary benefits, including 8% holiday allowance and a year-end bonus of 8.3%. The UvA offers excellent possibilities for further professional development and education.