Are you interested in working in a transdisciplinary and international research setting on creative methods for disaster risk preparedness and climate resilience of communities across Europe? Join us as a postdoctoral researcher in shaping creative approaches to disaster risk preparedness in Europe!
We are seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher to contribute to AMPLIFY, a Horizon Europe project that aims to strengthen disaster preparedness and climate resilience through creative and participatory approaches to risk communication. As a postdoc, you will have the rare opportunity to work at the intersection of science, governance, society, and the arts. Through your research, you will help critically analyse, co-produce knowledge, and build the tools needed to support inclusive, whole‑of‑society preparedness.
AMPLIFY brings together a transdisciplinary consortium of researchers, artists, governmental authorities, first-responders, and social welfare organisations from the Netherlands, Ireland, Italy, Greece, and Hungary. The project uses creative methods to engage communities in disaster preparedness and to improve how risks are communicated and understood. Through Creative Hubs in the Netherlands, Ireland, Italy, and a pan-European Youth Camp Hub, the project reaches groups that are often underrepresented in preparedness initiatives, including people with low literacy levels and people with lower incomes.
As part of the AMPLIFY team, you will work at the interface of academic research and creative practices. You will contribute to activities in the Creative Hub in the Enschede region, where you will build relationships with local stakeholders and support co-creation processes for improved risk communication and preparedness. In this role, you will contribute to strengthening local disaster risk governance and empowering vulnerable, at-risk, and underserved communities.
A key responsibility will be the development of the Preparedness Pathways model through theoretical and empirical research. This model will provide local and regional authorities with a structured approach to improving disaster preparedness. It will support more effective collaboration between authorities and communities in preparing for risks such as flooding, storm surges, and wildfires. Experience with qualitative research methods is essential, as the Preparedness Pathways model combines participatory action research, creative experimentation, futuring methods, creative policy dialogues, and systems thinking. Moreover, it includes iterative processes of problem analysis, identifying leverage points, embedding outcomes in governance practices and reflection. Your research will draw lessons from the different Creative Hubs and translate these into insights that support disaster preparedness policy and risk governance at the European level.
This position offers you opportunities for academic growth by further developing your research skills and academic profile within a supportive, transdisciplinary working environment. You will collaborate with senior researchers on academic publications and contribute to management of the research project. The postdoctoral phase is an important time to combine research activities with building your career path and reinforcing your academic skills. Therefore, you will have the possibility to enroll at the Wageningen School of Social Sciences (WASS). You can find more information on the WUR postdoc webpage. In addition, this position gives you the opportunity to participate in international research networks. Together, these elements will enable you to develop your own research ideas within the AMPLIFY framework and contribute to shaping innovative, creative approaches to disaster preparedness in Europe.
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Explore and critically analyse artistic, creative, and cultural approaches to disaster preparedness.
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Organise and facilitate stakeholder interviews, learning workshops, and validation sessions, e.g. to identify good practices and transferable insights.
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Act as an embedded researcher, ensuring continuous dialogue between scientific work and creative experimentation.
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Coordinate Creative Hub activities in the region of Enschede and maintain regular contact with local partners.
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Publish high‑quality research outputs in peer‑reviewed journals and present findings at conferences and project meetings.
You will be supervised by dr. Karin Snel and collaborate closely with the AMPLIFY team, coordinated by dr. Lydia Cumiskey (University College Cork, IE).
You will be appointed at the Landscape Architecture and Spatial Planning (LSP) group at Wageningen University, as part of the Land Use Planning chair group. The Land Use Planning chair group investigates how we deal with scarcity of space. An increasing number of actors claim space for a wide range of activities: energy production, climate adaptation, recreation, housing, etc. What does this mean for the current ‘owners’ of the countryside, being farmers and nature organizations? Which functions can be combined, and which should be separated? How should this be organized? We aim for inclusive solutions and actively engage with stakeholders in all phases of our research. Accordingly, we educate and train a growing numbers of Bachelor, Master and PhD students to become knowledgeable, reflective, and creative planners. LSP group hosts an interdisciplinary team of professors, lecturers, postdocs and PhD students, who all work on challenges such as climate mitigation and adaptation, safeguarding biodiversity and keeping our countryside vital. Do you want to know more about our work at the Landscape Architecture and Spatial Planning (LSP) group? Check out our page with news, recent publications and projects.
You have a strong affinity with disaster risk governance, preparedness, and climate resilience, along with strong analytical skills and a PhD in risk governance, spatial planning, or related environmental or social sciences. Candidates who are close to completing their PhD are also welcome to apply.
Moreover, you are able to operate independently while actively contributing to collaborative, transdisciplinary teams. An eagerness to explore creative and experimental approaches to risk communication and preparedness will be highly valued.
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Experience with qualitative research methods (e.g. interviews, ethnography, workshops, action research).
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Experience with participatory, transdisciplinary, and/or co‑creation processes.
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Capacity to work with diverse stakeholders, including authorities, communities, and artists.
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Dutch proficiency and strong English writing skills for academic and applied outputs.
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Strong organisational skills to coordinate research activities across multiple partners.
You have an excellent command of Dutch (CEFR level B2 or higher) and can adapt your communication style to different audiences, ranging from citizens with low literacy levels to policymakers, academics, and other local stakeholders. Additionally, you are also proficient in English at a minimum level of B2. As part of our international working environment, you are comfortable communicating in both spoken and written English.
Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment. A few highlights from our Collective Labour Agreement include:
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sabbatical leave, study leave, and partially paid parental leave;
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working hours that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow for the best possible work-life balance;
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there is a strong focus on vitality and you can make use of the sports facilities available on campus for a small fee;
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a fixed year-end bonus of 8.3%;
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excellent pension scheme.
In addition to these first-rate employee benefits, you will of course receive a good salary. Depending on your experience, we offer a competitive gross salary of between € 3.546,- and € 5.538,- for a full-time working week of 38 hours, in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU) (scale 10). Additionally, a contract for 0,8 FTE can be discussed. We initially offer a one-year contract that can be extended with 20 months on good performance.
If you are an internal employee, your current contract is the starting point. Ask your HR Business Partner about your situation specifically. 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.
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 Karin Snel, Assistant Professor, via +316-11120194 or email: [email protected].
Questions about the procedure? Get in touch with Jessa Rozema Corporate Recruiter, via [email protected]
Ready to apply?
Click on the application button next to the vacancy on our website. Only applications submitted through our website will be considered.
You can apply up to and including 17 July 2026. The first interviews are scheduled on the 21st and 23rd July 2026. Internal candidates are preferred to apply before 26 June 2026.
Applications are reviewed regularly. Therefore, the position may be filled before the stated closing date. So don't wait to apply!
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.
