PhD in Spatial System Mapping and Decision-Support Design for Nature-Inclusive Agrifood Transitions

Introduction

Are you motivated to contribute to the transition toward nature-inclusive agriculture and horticulture? Do you want to work at the interface of geospatial technologies, information systems, biodiversity restoration, and real-world decision-making by farmers and agrifood stakeholders? Join the NWO-KIC project RISE – Resilient Integrated Systems for Ecosystem restoration as a PhD candidate. You will co-develop an interactive spatial decision-support framework for agrifood transitions in an interdisciplinary team of four PhD candidates, collaborating closely with farmers and societal stakeholders.

Job Description

Biodiversity restoration in agriculture and horticulture is urgently needed, but difficult to realize in practice. Farmers operate in complex systems: they are embedded in value chains, regional communities, regulatory environments, ecological landscapes, and business models that often prioritize short-term productivity and profitability. RISE addresses this challenge by developing systems-based tools and implementation pathways that help stakeholders make nature-inclusive decisions that are ecologically meaningful, economically viable, and socially supported.

RISE is an interdisciplinary project involving Eindhoven University of Technology, Wageningen University & Research, Leiden University, and Inholland University of Applied Sciences, together with a broad network of societal partners from agriculture, horticulture, regional development, water management, policy, and civil society. The project works in two regional case areas: Reusel-Zuid, focused on open-field agriculture, and Oostland Zuid-Holland, focused on greenhouse horticulture. A third region on tree-nursing will be used for validation and replication.

This PhD position is hosted by the Eindhoven University of Technology, within the Department of the Built Environment (BE). You will be part of a closely connected cohort of four PhD candidates working across universities and disciplines. All candidates receive cross-university supervision to ensure deep integration between innovation science, system dynamics, spatial modeling, and ecology. 

The specific focus of this PhD project is on spatial system mapping and decision-support design. You will investigate how spatial development interacts with systemic dynamics and implementation feasibility. Using geospatial modeling, participative mapping, and interactive workshops, you will analyze how landscape conditions, land-use choices, and regional features shape the feasibility of biodiversity-enhancing practices. 

Your work will include:

• Socio-Ecological-Economic Mapping: Co-creating integrated regional maps that combine human actors with non-human elements (e.g., ecological features, water systems) to visualize regional interdependencies.
• Decision-Support Framework Construction: Taking the lead in designing and constructing an interactive spatial decision-support framework grounded in system dynamics logic.
• Model Integration: Collaborating with the broader PhD cohort to link temporal system dynamics simulation models to real-world spatial configurations.
• Stakeholder Facilitation: Designing and running interactive scenario workshops where regional stakeholders use geospatial tools to evaluate the spatial feasibility and trade-offs of biodiversity measures.
• Dissemination & Scaling: Integrating spatial insights into actionable technology and policy roadmaps, and validating the developed tools within a third case region.
• Academic Output: Publishing high-quality academic papers, individually and collaboratively, on spatial systems modeling, stakeholder alignment, and digital tool design for sustainability transitions.

This position is ideal for a candidate who is comfortable working interdisciplinary, at the boundary between theory and practice: developing rigorous academic insights while engaging closely with farmers, regional stakeholders, businesses, policymakers, and researchers from other disciplines.

The Department of the Built Environment at TU/e provides a cutting-edge environment with extensive expertise in information systems, decision support, nature-based solutions, and data/information modeling. You will join a group that excels at translating complex spatial data into digital environments, tools, and platforms that support collaborative innovation and real-world impact.

Job Requirements

We are looking for a motivated, curious, and analytically strong candidate who is eager to contribute to both scientific research and practical impact.

You have:

• A Master’s degree in Geoinformatics, GIS/Geospatial Technologies, Architecture/Built Environment, Information Systems, or a related field.
• Strong experience or clear affinity with geospatial modeling, spatial data analysis, and GIS software platforms (e.g., ArcGIS Pro, QGIS).
• Experience in programming (preferably python) and web development languages (JavaScript or TypeScript).
• A demonstrated interest in sustainability transitions, ecosystem services, and integrating spatial elements with social or economic dynamics.
• Experience or strong interest in mixed-method research, including participatory mapping, stakeholder workshops, interviews, or fieldwork.
• The ability to work productively within an interdisciplinary team and translate complex spatial concepts into user-friendly digital tools.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills. Excellent written and spoken English is required.
• Willingness to perform fieldwork in Dutch agricultural and horticultural regions.
• Speaking Dutch is a strong advantage, as it is essential for facilitating workshops and interviews with local farmers, growers, and regional policymakers.
  
  

Conditions of Employment

A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university, in an interdisciplinary setting and within an international network. You will work on a beautiful, green campus within walking distance of the central train station.

In addition, we offer you: 

• Full-time employment for four years, with an intermediate assessment after nine months. You will spend a minimum of 10% of your four-year employment on teaching tasks, with a maximum of 15% per year of your employment. 
• Salary and benefits (such as a pension scheme, paid pregnancy and maternity leave, partially paid parental leave) in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, scale P (min. € 3,204 - max. € 4,051 gross base salary per month (full-time)).  
• In addition to your base salary, you will receive an 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% year-end bonus, both calculated based on your annual gross base salary.
• As a TU/e employee, you participate in the ABP pension scheme, providing retirement pension and pension benefits for surviving dependents and occupational disability. TU/e pays 70% of the pension premium, while employees contribute the remaining 30%.
• High-quality training programs and other support to grow into a self-aware, autonomous scientific researcher. At TU/e we challenge you to take charge of your own learning process. 
• An excellent technical infrastructure, and on-campus children's day care.  
• Unlimited access to the modern on‑campus TU/e Student Sports Center at an exceptionally affordable rate.
• We support your wellbeing with free 24/7 access to OpenUp, providing you and your family with mental health support, expert guidance, and online training.
• An allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs. 
• A Staff Immigration Team and a tax compensation scheme (the Expat Scheme) for international candidates. 

On our website you can discover even more information about our conditions of employment. Build on your career at TU/e!

About us

We are a leading international university where scientific curiosity meets a hands-on mindset. We work in an open and collaborative way with high-tech industries to tackle complex societal challenges. Our responsible and respectful approach ensures impact — today and in the future. TU/e is home to over 13,000 students and more than 7,000 staff, forming a diverse and vibrant academic community.

Our university is located in Brainport Eindhoven — a world‑leading tech region with more than 7,000 high‑tech companies and strong R&D activity. Known for breakthroughs in AI, photonics, semiconductors and advanced manufacturing, Brainport is a place where technology serves people and society. Learn more about the Brainport region here.

Information

Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more? Please contact the hiring managers Shahryar Sarabi, [email protected], or prof. dr. Bige Tunçer, [email protected].

Visit our website for more information about the application process. You can also contact 
Leo van Houten, HR-Advisor, [email protected] or +31 40 247 8269.

Curious to hear more about what it’s like as a PhD candidate at TU/e? Please view the video.

Are you inspired and would like to know more about working at TU/e? Please visit our career page.

Application

We invite you to submit a complete application by using the apply button. The application should include a:

• Cover letter in which you describe your motivation and qualifications for the position.
• Curriculum vitae, including a list of your publications and the contact information of three references. Kindly note that we may reach out to references at any stage of the recruitment process. We recommend notifying your references upon submitting your application.

Ensure that you submit all the requested application documents. We give priority to complete applications.

We look forward to receiving your application and will screen it as soon as possible. The vacancy will remain open until the position is filled.

Please note

• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post. 
• A pre-employment screening (e.g. knowledge security check) can be part of the selection procedure. For more information on the knowledge security check, please consult the National Knowledge Security Guidelines.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.