SUNSET DC5

PhD position in Geography:

Incorporating knowledge infrastructure to green transitions: learning from campus interventions

Significant decisions in urban planning and governance are on the agenda of cities worldwide to facilitate just and sustainable urban development. The decisions are reached in complex collaborative and political processes, for which the use of underlying data, evidence, and existing knowledge is crucial. However, making good use of data in decision-making comes with multilevel challenges.

This PhD project will focus on knowledge transfer between universities and local municipalities to facilitate green transitions in urban mobility and urban biodiversity. The objectives are the following:

1. To understand the role of data and knowledge infrastructure in the decision-making and governance of urban systems and public space when enhancing urban biodiversity, sustainable mobility, and public health.
2. To examine stakeholder needs and interactions in public governance, focusing on data literacy, knowledge transfer, citizen science, co-creation, and evidence-based decision-making.
3. To identify critical intervention points, success factors, and performance measures in the governance process when designing, implementing, and monitoring solutions for healthy, just, and sustainable urban systems.

A successful project will result in an improved understanding of the role of knowledge transfer between universities and local municipalities, and best practices therein, that support green transition and sustainability in urban areas, specifically in the fields of human mobility and biodiversity.

The selected candidate will be part of the SUNSET Doctoral Network built around a community of leading scholars and 10 doctoral candidates delivering insights into how universities and their host cities can collaborate and interact to achieve the digitalization and sustainability goals set out by current European and global policy agendas. The network is purposefully international, intersectoral, and interdisciplinary. It comprises 6 academic and 16 non-academic partners in 5 European countries (Belgium – The Netherlands – Finland – Norway – Estonia). SUNSET emphasizes cooperative research and includes international mobility and intersectoral secondments to maximize the career potential of all doctoral candidates. Two of the doctoral projects are conducted at the University of Tartu, Estonia.

• Host institution: University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
• Supervisory team: Prof. Age Poom (PhD main supervisor, University of Tartu), Prof. Marketta Kyttä (PhD co-supervisor, Aalto University), Prof. Aveliina Helm (PhD co-supervisor, University of Tartu), Kertu Vuks (secondment host, City of Tartu)
• Enrolment in Doctoral School: Doctoral programme in Life and Earth Sciences with specialisation in Geography, University of Tartu
• Start of the studies: 2 September 2024
• Full-time paid position as a junior researcher for 36 months, funding for additional 12 months will potentially be available
• Mean funding rate per month for 36 months: 2,040€ living allowance + 448€ mobility allowance + 493€ family allowance if eligible (net approximately 1,570€ + 345€ + 380€); potential funding for 12 additional months
• The EU Researcher Allowances will be used to cover both the employee’s and the employer’s mandatory charges.
• Estonian national health insurance coverage for the whole duration
• Regular health checks and limited health improvement costs for staff members provided by the university (e.g. gym, swimming, glasses)
• Find good practices at the University of Tartu, including for doctoral studies, at https://ut.ee/en/good-practices
• Further information: age.poom [@] ut.ee

Apply via DreamApply platform until April 22, 2024 (extended)

• City of Tartu, Estonia (Early Fall 2025): The focus is on the governance of green transition through knowledge transfer, spatial planning, and systematic interventions that facilitate sustainable mobility and biodiversity in the urban area.
• Aalto University, Espoo, Finland (Spring 2026): Visiting Fellowship at the Department of Built Environment

• You have completed a Master’s degree in human geography, urban studies, spatial planning, public governance, sociology, or a related social science field, preferably acquired recently, or possess corresponding qualifications that could provide a basis for successfully completing a doctorate.
• Specialization in urban planning will be beneficial.
• If you finish your master’s degree in the spring of 2024, you are also welcome to apply. The master’s studies should be finished by 1 August 2024.
• You have a keen interest in urban studies, sustainable and inclusive mobility, and green transitions.
• You have solid and documented abilities for conducting qualitative research in social sciences.
• You have proven your proficiency in English language equivalent to B2 level by following criteria specified here: https://ut.ee/en/sisu/phd-language-requirements.
• You did not reside or carry out your main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Estonia for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately before the recruitment date. Compulsory national service, short stays such as holidays, and time spent as part of a procedure for obtaining refugee status are not taken into account.
• You are ambitious, well organized, a team player, and have excellent communication skills.
• You have the ability to work independently and have a critical mindset.
• You are a pro-active and motivated person, eager to participate in network-wide training events, international mobility, and public dissemination activities.

In Estonia, you will live in a highly connected society, with free Wi-Fi almost everywhere. Many everyday activities are made easier with various IT solutions. Student life in Estonia is full of activities and events. There are many organizations and events that help foreign students settle into Estonian life and create a social network in the country. For more information about Living in Estonia https://studyinestonia.ee/living 

You will join the Mobility Lab, a lively group of researchers interested in human mobility research for just and sustainable societies. Check out more of our lab from this website and our LinkedIn, X, and Facebook social media channels.

Please submit the following materials via DreamApply online application platform by 22 April 2024.

• A one-page letter of motivation explaining how your prior research experience qualifies you for the position and why you would like to work on this topic.
• Official copies of both bachelor’s and master’s diplomas and diploma supplements (bachelor’s and master’s transcript/mark sheet, including the description of the grading scale) and their official translations into English, if not issued in English. Applicants graduating in 2024 and having their diplomas issued later than the application deadline, should electronically submit their most recent official Transcript of Records by the required deadline along with the rest of the required documents. The master’s studies should be finished by 1 August, 2024.
• Proof of English language proficiency, https://ut.ee/en/sisu/phd-language-requirements.
• A two-page CV (including publications if available, check required information from this template, other CV formats may be used).
• Copy of passport page stating the applicant’s personal particulars.
• Names and contact details (address, telephone number, email address) for three referees and the capacity in which you know them.

Interviews with shortlisted candidates will be conducted as soon as possible after the closing date. Priority will be given to candidates with background in human geography, spatial planning, and/or urban studies. For shortlisted candidates, we will aim to assess conceptual, technical, and spoken communication skills as well as team suitability in an online interview. A small research-related task can be asked to be conducted.

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