PhD: Spatial Optimization of Land Use in Brazil

ph3PhD: Spatial Optimization of Land Use in Brazil /h3 pFaculty: Faculty of Geosciences Department: Department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning Hours per week: 36 to 40 Application deadline: 13 October 2026 /p pDo you care about the impacts of land use in ecologically sensitive regions of the world? Are motivated to explore how rearranging land use can minimize negative impacts and maximize the positive ones for different stakeholder groups, as a basis for policy making? Are you interested in spatial optimization algorithms and uncertainty assessment? Then this PhD position at the Department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning of Utrecht University may be for you! /p pThe MATOPIBA region in the Brazilian Cerrado is of major national and global importance: it is one of South America’s most agriculturally productive landscapes, a biodiversity hotspot, and home to Indigenous people, Quilombola, smallholder farmers, and large agribusinesses among others. Therefore, future land use strategies in MATOPIBA require balancing agricultural production with biodiversity conservation and social justice, while also accounting for effects of climate change. In this position, you will contribute to such land use strategies by quantifying the synergies and trade-offs between agricultural production and biodiversity conservation for different land use configurations and stakeholder preferences. Hereto, you will compute Pareto frontiers with spatial optimization algorithms. /p pMore specifically, you will: /p ul liTravel to Brazil to interact with various stakeholders in land use in MATOPIBA; /li liTranslate stakeholders’ preferences in terms of ‘productive agriculture’ and ‘healthy biodiversity’ into quantifiable impact indicators; /li liDevelop a spatial optimization algorithm that finds land use configurations that optimize these indicators; /li liCompute Pareto frontiers under different climate and socio-economic scenarios to evaluation the robustness of land use solutions for all stakeholder groups; and /li liWrite academic articles and policy documents that summarize the above to generate and disseminate knowledge on the possible pathways to sustainable land use futures in MATOPIBA. /li /ul pThis PhD position is part of the project “Frontiers of MATOPIBA landscapes”, which examines how agricultural production and biodiversity conservation can be balanced in Brazil’s MATOPIBA region under future climate and socio-economic conditions. It has the aim to support evidence-based decisions to form sustainable, just, climate-resilient land use strategies that protect biodiversity, food security, and local livelihoods.The project isfully funded through the Dutch Research Agenda and the Brazilian research council CNPq . Within the project, you will closely collaborate with another PhD candidate at Utrecht University on stakeholder perspectives, several consortium members in Brazil, and the Department of Sustainable Development at Utrecht University. /p pWe are looking for candidates with: /p ul liAn MSc degree in (or nearing completion of)an MSc program in Geoinformatics, Computer Science, (Quantitative) Geography, (Spatial / Geographic) Data Science, Environmental Science, or a related discipline; /li liAn interest in the impacts of land use; /li liExperience in handling spatial data; /li liProgramming experience in Python, and/or R; /li liProficiency in English; and /li liThe ability to work as part of an interdisciplinary research team. /li /ul pThe following qualifications are desirable but not required: /p ul liExperience with (spatial) optimization; /li liExperience with land use (change) impact assessment; or /li liProficiency in Portuguese. /li /ul h3Our offer /h3 pWe offer: /p ul lia position (1.0 FTE) for 1 year, with an extension to a total of four years upon a successful assessment in the first year, and with the specific intent that it results in a doctorate within this period; /li lia working week of 36 - 40 hours and a gross monthly salary between € 3.204 and €4.051 in the case of full-time employment (salary scale P under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU)); /li li8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus; /li lia pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU. /li /ul pIn addition to the terms of employment laid down in the CAO NU, Utrecht University also offers a range of its own schemes for employees. This includes arrangements for professional development , various types of leave, and options for sports and cultural activities . You can also tailor your employment conditions through our Terms of Employment Options Model. In this way, we encourage you to keep investing in your personal and professional development. For more information, please visit Working at Utrecht University . /p h3About us /h3 pA better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. AtUtrecht University , the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards majorstrategic themes . Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Pathways to Sustainability.Sharing science, shaping tomorrow . /p pUtrecht University’s Faculty of Geosciences studies the Earth: from the Earth’s core to its surface, including man’s spatial and material utilisation of the Earth – always with a focus on sustainability and innovation. With 3,400 students (BSc and MSc) and 720 staff, the faculty is a strong and challenging organisation. The Faculty of Geosciences is organised in four Departments: Earth Sciences, Human Geography Spatial Planning, Physical Geography, and Sustainable Development. /p pCandidates for this vacancy will be recruited by Utrecht University. /p pAt Utrecht University, we strive to be a place where everyone feels at home. We value colleagues with different backgrounds, perspectives and identities, including differences in culture, religion or ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, neurodiversity, disability and age. We are committed to creating a safe and inclusive environment where everyone can thrive and contribute. Read more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion. /p pVening Meineszgebouw A external link , the application process or your work, please contact us via our /p pKnowledge security screening can be part of the selection procedures of academic staff. We do this, among other things, to prevent the unwanted transfer of sensitive knowledge and technology. /p pThe first round of interviews for this position will take place on October 27th. The aimed starting date is January 1st 2027. /p pThe application deadline is 14 October 2026. /p /p #J-18808-Ljbffr