PhD Position: Spatial Energy Planning for Positive Energy Districts

The Department of Spatial Planning at Radboud University is seeking a highly motivated and talented PhD candidate to join the EmPowerED project. In the EmPowerED project, researchers from research universities and universities of applied sciences and TNO work together with citizens, businesses and local governments to develop sustainable heating solutions for neighbourhoods. The goal of this project is to create a toolbox to help design local integrated energy and heating systems that fit local needs. These solutions are tested in real-life situations to prove their effectiveness. The overarching goal of the EmPowerED project is to accelerate the very challenging heat and energy transition in neighbourhoods. Addressing this challenge requires new knowledge of innovative technologies, energy system integration, energy behaviour and the preferences of citizens, and the governance of decentralised energy systems. You will work on this challenge together with nine other PhD candidates at different universities in the Netherlands and researchers of universities of applied sciences.

The focus of this PhD position is Spatial Energy Planning within Positive Energy Districts. This part of the project focuses on aligning heat and energy governance with spatial planning by analysing the spatial requirements for energy-related infrastructure in existing neighbourhoods, and more broadly the energy dimension of living in urban areas. The research will employ a layer approach, assessing the biophysical underground, networks and infrastructure, and building layer, in relation to societal and technical aspects (e.g. energy communities). By integrating GIS-based spatial analysis with energy demand and supply assessments of other subprojects within EmPowerED, this PhD project will support the development of Positive Energy Districts (PEDs) in complex urban settings. Together with researchers from the fields of energy modelling, social network analysis and governance, you will develop new spatial energy concepts to integrate the social, technological and governance challenges in the heat and energy transition, working towards Positive Energy Districts. You will collaborate closely with the PhD candidate on governance at the Environmental Governance and Politics chair group at Radboud University.

Possible research themes:

• The current state of the art of energy planning and governance.
• The role of planning support systems in decision-making in relation to energy modelling and social aspects in neighbourhoods.
• The usability of this decision support system for energy planning to be determined by Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA).
• The possible roles of energy planning as a guiding force in spatial planning and its implications.
• The role of energy communities and other stakeholders in energy planning.

Your teaching load may be up to 10% of your working time.

Profile

• You should hold or are about to obtain a Master's degree in spatial planning, geography, geo-information science, environmental science, or a related field with a focus on GIS for society.
• You have strong analytical and research skills.
• You are interested in visual communication of spatial data and proficient in GIS and spatial analysis techniques.
• You possess excellent written and oral communication skills in Dutch and English. Mastery the Dutch language is a requirement for the Dutch case studies.
• You are a team player and able to work independently.
• You have an interest in interdisciplinary research and stakeholder engagement.

We offer

• We will give you a temporary employment contract (1.0 FTE) of 1.5 years, after which your performance will be evaluated. If the evaluation is positive, your contract will be extended by 2.5 years (4-year contract).
• You will receive a starting salary of €2,901 gross per month based on a 38-hour working week, which will increase to €3,707 in the fourth year.
• You will receive an 8% holiday allowance and an 8,3% end-of-year bonus.
• You will receive extra days off. With full-time employment, you can choose between 30 or 41 days of annual leave instead of the statutory 20.

Additional employment conditions

Work and science require good employment practices. Radboud University's primary and secondary employment conditions reflect this. You can make arrangements for the best possible work-life balance with flexible working hours, various leave arrangements and working from home. You are also able to compose part of your employment conditions yourself. For example, exchange income for extra leave days and receive a reimbursement for your sports membership. In addition, you receive a 34% discount on the sports and cultural activities at Radboud University as an employee. And, of course, we offer a good pension plan. We also give you plenty of room and responsibility to develop your talents and realise your ambitions. Therefore, we provide various training and development schemes.

We are

The department of Geography, Planning and the Environment (GPE) seeks to provide a deep understanding of how places, from the local to the global level, are politically and materially shaped, experienced and governed, and to contribute to the development of more sustainable and equitable places. GPE's approach goes explicitly beyond a government and policy orientation, addressing the deep political and institutional nature of placemaking and spatial-environmental governance. The group seeks to contribute to more future-oriented practices and territorial images. The Spatial Planning Department specifically investigates the relationship between urban spaces, landscape, energy, health, climate adaptation and mobility from different perspectives. We operate in cooperation with the Radboud university medical center, the Faculty of Social Sciences, the Faculty of Science, and societal partners.

Nijmegen School of Management
At Nijmegen School of Management, one of the seven faculties within Radboud University in the Netherlands, we have a clear aim: we enable students, institutions and companies, social actors, and governments to play their part in the transformations towards a sustainable society through high-quality scientific research and education. With more than 4,500 curious students and more than 450 dedicated employees, we form a dynamic community. Our mission ‘Responsible governance for sustainable societies’ is driven by the ambition to make a difference in the world. At Nijmegen School of Management, we understand management as a broad concept referring to the collective and organised pursuit (responsible governance) of a better world (sustainable societies). We study and teach management at the level of public and private organisations. In this context, we examine how to balance economic, ecological, and social values in a sustainable way. This aim is in line with Radboud University's mission to contribute through teaching and research to a ‘free, healthy world with equal opportunities for all’. At Nijmegen School of Management, academic research and teaching are carried out in following areas: Business Administration, Economics and Business Economics, Political Science, Public Administration, Human Geography, Spatial Planning, and Environment. Our approach to teaching and research is evolving from multidisciplinarity, where we study societal challenges from different disciplinary backgrounds, to interdisciplinarity (integrating disciplinary perspectives for synergy) and transdisciplinarity (involving non-academic stakeholders). The United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are an important source of inspiration for our work. Our work focuses on the themes Social economy, Resilient society and Sustainable environment. At Nijmegen School of Management, we have our eyes on the world of the future, in which sustainability and responsibility are central values. Together we are creating a better world for everyone. Radboud University
At Radboud University, we aim to make an impact through our work. We achieve this by conducting groundbreaking research, providing high-quality education, offering excellent support, and fostering collaborations within and outside the university. In doing so, we contribute indispensably to a healthy, free world with equal opportunities for all. To accomplish this, we need even more colleagues who, based on their expertise, are willing to search for answers. We advocate for an inclusive community and welcome employees with diverse backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives. Will you also contribute to making the world a little better? You have a part to play.

henk-jan.kooij [at] ru.nl