PhD Urban Health & Equity in Public Spaces (CHESS project)

Job description

As a PhD candidate within the European CHESS project, you will study how everyday public spaces, such as pocket parks, alleys, and linear greenways, contribute to health, inclusion, safety, social interaction, and community life. These relatively small and often underdeveloped spaces remain understudied, while they can play an important role in the daily lives of urban residents.

Within this consortium your role is to strengthen the public health and equity perspective. You will contribute to the development and application of an integrated research and indicator framework to systematically analyse and evaluate such spaces. You will build on existing frameworks and translate them into a coherent set of research questions, indicators, and methods applicable across different European cities.

A substantial part of your work will focus on analysing data from multiple European case studies and pilot interventions. You will work with data collected within the consortium and examine how design, use, management, and participatory processes are associated with outcomes such as health, well-being, social interaction, and sense of belonging.

Your key tasks include:

• Developing and applying a research and indicator framework to analyse public spaces across different European contexts.
• Contributing to a consistent approach to measurement and analysis within the international consortium.
• Harmonising and analysing data from European case studies using quantitative and qualitative methods.
• Identifying what works, for whom, and under which conditions across different urban contexts.
• Translating findings into scientific publications and practical recommendations for policy, design, and practice.

This position offers a unique opportunity to develop as an interdisciplinary researcher, with direct societal impact and close collaboration within an international European consortium.

Work environment

A healthy population and high quality healthcare through research and education. That is what Erasmus MC stands for. Conducting groundbreaking work, pushing boundaries and leading the way. In research, education, and healthcare. We are practical people with a high level of expertise, working hard to improve and renew the healthcare of today and the public health of tomorrow.

The Erasmus MC Department of Public Health strives for health and well-being for all. Through responsible research and education, we contribute to equitable and sustainable population health at local, national, and global levels. Our work is highly multidisciplinary and driven by the core values of relevance, responsibility, and courage.

You will be embedded in the European CHESS project (Common Spaces for Health, Equity, Sustainability & Social Cohesion). Within this interdisciplinary consortium, you will collaborate with researchers, cities, designers and policymakers across Europe. The project focuses on small and often underdeveloped public spaces, such as pocket parks, alleys and green routes, and studies how these can contribute to health, inclusion and community life.

Qualifications and skills

We welcome applicants with a Master’s degree (MSc) in public health, health sciences, epidemiology, social sciences, human geography, urban studies, or a related field.

• A genuine interest in how urban environments and public spaces influence health, well-being and equity.
• Experience with quantitative research and willingness to further develop mixed-methods skills.
• Curiosity, motivation, and a collaborative attitude.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Openness to interdisciplinary collaboration and engagement with policy and practice partners. 

Before you apply please check our conditions for employment.

Terms of employment

• You will receive a temporary position for 46 months with the aim to obtain a PhD.
• The gross monthly salary is € 3.108,- in the 1st year and it gradually increases to € 3.939,- in the 4th year (scale OIO) based on a full-time workweek of 36 hours.
• A salary increase of 3,5% from July 2026, according to the collective labor agreement (CLA)
• Partial working from home is possible, as is working 4 x 9 hours.
• Excellent fringe benefits, such as a 13th month that is already paid out in November and a individual travel expense package.
• An International Office which aids you in preparing for your arrival and stay.
• Pension insurance with ABP. We take care of approximately 2/3 of the monthly contribution.
• Special benefits, such as an incompany physiotherapist and bicycle repairer. And there is also a gym where you can work on your fitness after work. 

More information

Make this vacancy your new job and apply via the application button. It starts with taking action. 

For more information about this position, please contact Dr. Mariëlle Beenackers, Assistant Professor, via m.beenackers@erasmusmc.nl or +31 10 704 2366. 

No agencies please.