PhD on Modeling the Cool City: Microclimate Solutions for Urban Heat Resilience

Are you a highly motivated researcher passionate about urban climate and hydrometeorological modeling, urban biometeorology, and climate-sensitive urban design? Do you want to pursue a PhD study that translates advanced urban (bio)climate and hydrometeorology knowledge into real-world solutions protecting human health from extreme heat?

We are seeking a talented PhD candidate to join the Horizon Europe Innovation Action Project EUROASIS (EUROpean Adaptive, Systemic and Inclusive Solutions for heat resilience). This PhD position will focus specifically on evaluating and upscaling a portfolio of systemic heat-mitigation innovations across four major European pilot cities: Amsterdam, Athens, Zaragoza, and Reggio Emilia. 

You will assess how physical, nature-based, and digital interventions—ranging from Amsterdam's network of shaded routes and heat shelters to Zaragoza's xerophytic "climate oases"—alter the outdoor thermal conditions and directly minimize ambient heat exposure for urban populations. Collaborating with international partners (such as Imperial College of Science Technology and Medicine and Atelier Franck Boutté), you will couple advanced microclimatic and urban morphology simulations with epidemiological data to quantify heat-health benefits. As our PhD candidate, you will bridge the gap between high-resolution microscale climate/hydrometeorological simulation and empirical public health outcomes. Your work will directly culminate in international peer-reviewed journal papers and foundational project deliverables. 

You will work here

The Meteorology and Air Quality Group (MAQ) aims to contribute to the further understanding of atmospheric processes and their relevance for weather, air quality and climate. We do research on a variety of topics and horizontal scales. As a university group we are responsible for the education in subjects of Meteorology and Air Quality at the BSc and MSc level and the training of PhD candidates. Students are guided in the basics of Weather and Climate, Forecasting, Turbulence and Dispersion, Boundary-Layer Meteorology and Chemistry, Atmospheric Dynamics, Desertification and Land use, and many other subjects. You will be co-supervised by Dr. D. (Dragan) Milosevic and Dr. G.J. (Gert-Jan) Steeneveld.

• You hold (or are about to complete) a Master's degree in Urban (Bio)Climate, (Hydro)Meteorology, Climate Science, Environmental Physics, Physical Geography, Urban Design, or a related field;

• Experience in atmospheric numerical modelling (e.g., RANS, LES) and scientific programming and GIS tools — or strong motivation to learn them. 

• Affinity with biometeorology, human thermal comfort, and heat indices, with an interest in connecting environmental science to public health data;

• Solid analytical, programming, and writing skills and the ambition to publish in scientific journals. 

• Good time management and a collaborative mindset are essential for working across a diverse, multi-sector consortium of city planners, digital twin developers, and health agencies;

• Willingness to travel to pilot cities for field campaigns 

• For this position your command of the English language is expected to be at C1 level. Sometimes it is necessary to submit an internationally recognised Certificate of Proficiency in the English Language. More information can be found here.

Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment. A few highlights from our Collective Labour Agreement include:

• Partially paid parental leave;
• working hours that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow for the best possible work-life balance;
• there is a strong focus on vitality and you can make use of the sports facilities available on campus for a small fee;
• a fixed year-end bonus of 8.3%;
• excellent pension scheme.

In addition to these first-rate employee benefits, you will receive a fully funded PhD position and you will be offered a course program tailored to your needs and the research team.
The gross salary for the first year is € 3.059,- per month rising to € 3.881,-  in the fourth year in according to the Collective Labour Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU) (scale P). This is based on a full-time working week of 38 hours. We offer a temporary contract for 18 months which will be extended for the duration of the project if you perform well. The project is 4 years, with a intended starting date of 1 October 2026.

We encourage development and internal mobility within our organisation. Our recruitment and selection policy sets out the conditions that apply specifically to you as a (former) employee. If you have any questions, we are happy to help.

You will work on the greenest and most innovative campus in the Netherlands, in an international and open working environment. 

Wageningen University & Research is the university and research centre for life sciences. The themes we deal with are relevant to everyone around the world and Wageningen, therefore, has a large international community and a lot to offer to international employees. 

Because we expect you to work and live in the Netherlands our team of advisors on Dutch immigration procedures will help you with the visa application procedures for yourself and, if applicable, for your family. 

Feeling welcome also has everything to do with being well informed. Wageningen University & Research's International Community page contains practical information about what we can do to support international employees coming to Wageningen. Furthermore, our Welcome Center can assist you with any additional advice and information about for example housing, opening a bank account, dual career programs or schooling. Finally, certain categories of international staff may be eligible for a tax exemption on a part of their salary during the first five years in the Netherlands.

For more information about the position, please contact Dragan Milosevic, assistant professor of urban hydrometeorology, via +31624585024 or email: dragan.milosevic@wur.nl.
Questions about the procedure? Get in touch with Jessa Rozema Corporate Recruiter, via jessa.rozema-stol@wur.nl

Ready to apply?
You can apply directly using the apply button on the vacancy page on our website which will allow us to process your personal information with your approval. Only applications submitted through our website will be considered.

To apply, please send the following documents (max. 3 pages in total ):

• Complete and up-to-date curriculum vitae (max. 2 pages);
• Motivation letter (max. 1 page).

The maximum length of the documents must not exceed 3 pages. If it exceeds, applications will not be considered. Additional files such as grades and transcripts are not required during this stage and will not be considered.

You can apply up to and including 10 August 2026.

Additional information form
For this position, you must fill in a mandatory form which will allow us to have a comprehensive view of your qualifications and better assess your fit for it. You can access the form using the link below:

PhD positionModeling the Cool City: Microclimate Solutions for Urban Heat-Health Resilience – Fill out form

Your prompt response will ensure that your application continues to move forward in the evaluation process. We assure you that the information provided will be kept confidential and used solely for this application process.

Welcome, safe, and valued
Wageningen University & Research (WUR) highly values diversity and inclusion because we believe that different insights lead to innovative solutions. We create a work environment where everyone feels welcome, safe, and appreciated, regardless of background, identity, or experience. Together, we are building a culture where everyone's unique contribution adds to the success of our organization.

​The mission of Wageningen University & Research is “To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life”. Under the banner Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen University and the specialised research institutes of the Wageningen Research Foundation have joined forces in contributing to finding solutions to important questions in the domain of healthy food and living environment. With its roughly 30 branches, 7,600 employees (6,700 fte) and 13,100 students and over 150,000 participants to WUR’s Life Long Learning, Wageningen University & Research is one of the leading organisations in its domain. The unique Wageningen approach lies in its integrated approach to issues and the collaboration between different disciplines.

Read the 5 reasons why your future colleagues enjoy working at WUR and watch the video below to get an idea of our green campus!

We will recruit for the vacancy ourselves, so no employment agencies please. However, sharing in your network is appreciated.

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