2 PhD Positions in Spatial Modeling of Segregation and Future Mobility Needs

The Division of Geography and Tourism in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at KU Leuven (geo.kuleuven.be) and VITO (Flemish Institute for Technological Research, vito.be) are seeking 2 PhD researchers to conduct innovative and foundational research as part of a joint project on Flemish land systems. The supervisors for these positions are Prof. Ate Poorthuis, Prof. Anton Van Rompaey, Dr. Lien Poelmans, Dr. Karolien Vermeiren, and Dr. Tomas Crols.

The project's main goal is to contribute to a more sustainable spatial organization of the Flemish territory, a densely populated region where multiple functions need to coexist. Demographic and economic projections indicate that the pressure on the Flemish land system will increase significantly, necessitating intelligent and integrated planning to address various land use demands. To address these challenges and support policymakers and land managers, VITO has developed and implemented ‘RuimteModel Vlaanderen’, a spatial land-use model used for analyzing land-use scenarios for the Flemish government. Recent advances in land system sciences have led to the development of agent-based models that not only track expected future land cover changes at the pixel level but also simulate the characteristics and behaviors of the corresponding agents.

Project

The proposed project aims to enhance the ‘RuimteModel Vlaanderen’ with 'agency' by simulating the migration, demographic and socio-economic characteristics, and mobility behaviors of households. One PhD position will focus more on the socio-economic characteristics of the agents, while the other will focus more specifically on daily mobility. Together, the projects will enable more detailed and precise predictions of future socio-economic segregation and corresponding mobility needs and constraints in Flanders.

Project tasks include:

- Conduct data sampling campaigns in neighborhoods along a rural-urban gradient to collect high-resolution data on living standards and mobility behavior and needs.

- Assess the state-of-the-art and identify potential new, innovative data sources and methodologies that could be used to expand the RuimteModel Vlaanderen

- Develop a socio-economic typology of Flemish households by merging census data with field-collected data.

- Analyze theoretical and actual mobility of households in contrasting settings.

- Integrate 'agency' into the RuimteModel Vlaanderen.

- Apply the upgraded model to a set of policy scenarios.

- Validate results using hindcasting techniques.

- Disseminate results through scientific publications and workshops with Flemish stakeholders.

Profile

- Candidates should hold a Master's degree in geography, sustainable development, spatial planning, or a related discipline, or possess equivalent qualifications that could provide a foundation for successfully completing a doctorate.

- Candidates should have obtained at least a distinction (equivalent of 'cum laude' in the Belgian system) during their studies or have distinguished themselves with high-quality scientific publications or other achievements. If candidates expect to finish their master's degree by September 2024, they are also welcome to apply.

- A strong interest in spatial modeling, land systems, human mobility, and sustainable development is essential.

- The ideal candidate will have a strong foundation in quantitative (spatial) methodology, experience with using GIS and programming languages (Python or R) for analysis, and the ability to apply these methodologies to research questions around land systems and mobility. They should also be able to effectively communicate complex issues in both written and oral form.

- Candidates should be ambitious, well-organized, team-oriented, and possess excellent communication skills.

- Proficiency in English, both written and verbal, is required. A working knowledge of Dutch is considered a plus.

- Candidates should be able to work independently and possess a critical mindset.

Offer

We offer two funded full-time PhD scholarships for four years. The primary workplace will be KU Leuven (campus Arenberg – Heverlee), with a minimum of one day a week spent at VITO (located in Mol). More information  on scholarships and benefits for KU Leuven PhD students can be found at https://www.kuleuven.be/personeel/jobsite/en/phd/phd-information and the VITO PhD page at https://visioneers.vito.be/en/phd-postdocs.

Interested?

For more information or questions about these positions and potential fit, please contact Prof. Ate Poorthuis (ate.poorthuis@kuleuven.be) or Karolien Vermeiren (karolien.vermeiren@vito.be).

Apply for these positions no later than May 27, 2024, using the KU Leuven online tool. Please submit a cover letter (max. 1 page), a CV (max. 2 pages), and the name and contact details of one reference. In your cover letter discuss specifically which sub-project you are most interested in, how you would approach the project and how your profile fits the project needs. The selection process will take place in two phases: first, a shortlist of candidates will be created based on submitted documents; second, candidates will be ranked based on online interviews with those shortlisted. The interviews will cover the candidates' motivation, background knowledge, skills, and research vision.

The selected candidates for these positions will work with the supervisory committee to complete a PhD project proposal to be completed before 3 September 2024 and presented to the VITO PhD Jury on 25 September 2024. Only after a positive evaluation by the VITO PhD Jury will the candidate be able to start. The anticipated start date of the position is 1 November 2024.

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