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Doctoral Position City-university twin transition partnerships

  • //applyindex.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/belgium.png Belgium
  • University/Institute Name KU Leuven
  • Attendance Type On Campus (Full Time)
  • Position DurationSee Position Description
  • Position Funding Type PhD Research Funding
  • Application deadlineExpired
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Position Details (PhD Research Project)

The Public Governance Institute conducts research into different aspects of public governance from a public administration and political science perspective. The selected candidate will be part of the SUNSET Doctoral Network built around a community of leading scholars and 10 Doctoral Candidates (DCs) 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 consists of 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 DCs.
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Project

This project aims to understand the learning and knowledge dynamics in collaborative approaches for urban sustainability, with a particular focus on the role of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). Knowledge is central to urban sustainability, especially when shared, exchanged, and learned, with collaborative efforts being key to accessing this resource. Multi-stakeholder collaboration effectively advances sustainable development and drives transformative change in urban settings.
In the face of growing sustainability challenges that require the participation of diverse stakeholders and the integration of their knowledge, cities use various approaches to operationalize collaboration and problem-solving, such as citizen science initiatives, Living Labs, and citizen climate assemblies. They also adopt collaborative governance tools and models at the city level to tackle these challenges. However, studying the micro-dynamics related to knowledge and learning within collaborative approaches has been overlooked, beyond the results of the process itself. While researchers have examined the outcomes of urban sustainability initiatives in terms of innovation and solutions to tackle specific challenges, there has been comparatively less attention paid to other outcomes related to knowledge and learning within the initiatives themselves.
In light of these considerations, this research project will explore local collaborative approaches and structures aimed at tackling urban sustainability from a knowledge and learning perspective. We also aim to examine how HEIs are mobilized locally in collaborative governance and concrete collaborative approaches.
By investigating these mechanisms, we aim to deepen our understanding of the nested interactions involving multi-stakeholders for urban sustainability. Additionally, we seek to identify best practices and innovative strategies that can be replicated or adapted in other urban contexts. These insights can then be used to inform policy-making, improve existing collaborative frameworks, and inspire new approaches to urban sustainability. Additionally, we seek to derive actionable insights that can inform and strengthen the evidence regarding HEIs, cross-collaborative approaches, and different levels of engagement, from local initiatives to city-level considerations. This will help us understand their involvement in urban sustainability from a knowledge standpoint and how they can develop capacities to contribute more effectively to these processes.
Planned secondments: University of Tartu, Estonia (Fall 2026): Visiting fellowship at the Institute of Social Sciences.

Profile

  • You have completed a Master’s degree in public governance, public policies, political science, sociology, economics, human geography, or a related social science field, preferably acquired recently, or possess corresponding qualifications that could provide a basis for successfully completing a doctorate.
  • You have obtained at least a distinction (equivalent of ‘cum laude’ in the Belgian system) during your studies or have distinguished yourself with high-quality scientific publications or design-oriented achievements.
  • You have a keen interest in urban studies, public governance, public policies and urban innovation ecosystems.
  • You have solid and documented abilities for conducting qualitative and quantitative research in social sciences.
  • You are ambitious, well organized, a team player, and have excellent communication skills.
  • You are proficient in English, both written and verbal.
  • You did not reside or carry out your main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Belgium 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 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.

Offer

A full-time position as PhD researcher (doctoral scholarship) for one year, which, upon positive evaluation, will be extended with two additional years.The EU Researcher Allowances will be used to cover both the employee's as the employer's mandatory charges.

The selected candidate will be part of the SUNSET Doctoral Network built around a community of leading scholars and 10 Doctoral Candidates (DCs) 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 consists of 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 DCs.

www.sunsetproject.eu

More information on scholarship and benefits for KU Leuven PhD students can be found under the rubric ‘doctoral scholarship holder’ at: https://www.kuleuven.be/personeel/jobsite/en/phd/phd-information .

Starting date: April-May 2026.

Interested?

For more information please contact Prof. dr. Trui Steen, mail: or Mr. Gert-Jan Put, tel.: +32 16 37 20 90, mail: [emailprotected].

KU Leuven strives for an inclusive, respectful and socially safe environment. We embrace diversity among individuals and groups as an asset. Open dialogue and differences in perspective are essential for an ambitious research and educational environment. In our commitment to equal opportunity, we recognize the consequences of historical inequalities. We do not accept any form of discrimination based on, but not limited to, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, ethnic or national background, skin colour, religious and philosophical diversity, neurodivergence, employment disability, health, or socioeconomic status. For questions about accessibility or support offered, we are happy to assist you at this email address.

Research Areas & Fields of Study involved in the position

Position Start Date

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