Interested in building bridges between human geography and sustainable water management to make an impact around a planetary health challenge? We are inviting applications for a PhD position on the physical and social implications of living and raising children in areas with known PFAS water contamination.
Your job
This project explores parents’ everyday experiences and future visions of raising children in an environment impacted by PFAS contamination of soils and groundwater. PFAS contamination in the environment is often studied in disciplinary siloes: it is understood from either a natural sciences or social science perspective. As a result, previous research has overlooked how PFAS function simultaneously physically and socially as well as how they leave physical and social long-term traces in parents’ lives and environments.
Current scholarship in human geography centers on toxic geographies, in which scholars have argued that the gradual exposure that residents endure is a form of structural and slow violence. They posit that toxic living environments are not necessarily invisible, but that powerful actors do not recognise the experiences of the residents who inhabit toxic spaces, especially those who are most vulnerable, such as children. In contrast, quantitative research on PFAS-contaminated areas generally focuses on mapping the status quo by measuring PFAS concentrations in soil and groundwater and comparing them to current limit values. There is little attention for the legacy effects of PFAS contamination, even though these determine the safety of drinking water resources in future and thus the precautions needed to provide and consume drinking water with safe PFAS levels in the long-term.
This PhD project will empirically connect these bodies of literature by showing how a planetary health issue (PFAS as a ‘forever chemical’ circulating through water systems and bodies) is lived and negotiated in specific households and places. We will apply a planetary health lens to disentangle the links between human and non-human interactions in polluted environments. The PhD candidate will innovatively combine qualitative social science methods with soil and water measurements and PFAS modelling, with the aim of understanding parents’ experiences and future visions, support them in dealing with PFAS water contamination, and stimulate exchange between authorities, affected communities and the general public on the topic.
The PhD candidate will conduct independent research under supervision in the Human Geography Department (Dr. Sara Brouwer at Geography & Education and Prof. Ajay Bailey at International Development Studies Section) and Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development (Dr. Stefanie Lutz at Environmental Sciences Section). This project will address the following research questions and methods:
- Stakeholder mapping: how do key stakeholders at different levels approach PFAS water contamination?
- Water quality modelling: what is the extent and time horizon of future PFAS contamination of soils and groundwater?
- Qualitative social science methods: how do parents (and caregivers) living in or near a PFAS contaminated area understand, experience, act upon and anticipate PFAS water contamination?
- Impact: how can the social and natural science results be used to effectively inform and engage key stakeholders to best support parents in dealing with PFAS water contamination and advocate for their reproductive right to raise children in healthy environments?
The case studies of PFAS water contamination are preferably in Europe or Southern Africa and will be determined in consultation with the PhD candidate. Besides societal relevance, the choice will be based on the expertise, affinity, experience and networks of the candidate and the supervisory team.
The PhD candidate will be embedded in a network of PhD candidates working on Planetary Health topics at the Faculty of Geosciences and across Utrecht University’s strategic theme on Life Sciences.
Your qualities
This project combines theoretical perspectives and methods from human geography (toxic geographies, political ecology, geographies of children, youth and families, health geography, environmental justice and creative and participatory methods) and sustainable water management (contaminant fate and transport, soil and water sampling, and water quality modelling). The project adopts a planetary health approach and has, therefore, a strong impact component.
We are looking for an enthusiastic PhD-candidate with a strong academic training who develops their own vision on how to contribute to the project. Specifically, we are looking for a candidate that has:
- a Master’s degree in Human Geography, Sustainable Development, Environmental Social Sciences or a related discipline;
- methodological training in qualitative empirical methods;
- affinity with planetary health, geographies of children, youth and families and diffuse pollution;
- knowledge of soil and water processes and numerical modelling skills, or strong interest and motivation to acquire these;
- strong interest in, and motivation for, interdisciplinary research combining social and natural sciences;
- independent thinking and critical analytical skills;
- demonstrable organisational skills, flexibility, communication skills, and a collaborative and proactive attitude.
Our offer
We offer:
- a position 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;
- a working week of 36 – 40 hours and a gross monthly salary between € 3.059 and €3.881 in the case of full-time employment (salary scale P under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU));
- 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus;
- a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU.
In 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.
About us
A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University, the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major strategic themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Pathways to Sustainability. Sharing science, shaping tomorrow.
Utrecht 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.
More information
For more information about this position, please contact Sara Brouwer at s.f.brouwer@uu.nl
Candidates for this vacancy will be recruited by Utrecht University.
Apply now
As Utrecht University, we want to be a home for everyone. We value staff with diverse backgrounds, perspectives and identities, including cultural, religious or ethnic background, gender, sexual orientation, disability or age. We strive to create a safe and inclusive environment in which everyone can flourish and contribute.
Knowledge 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.
To apply, please send your curriculum vitae, including two names and contact details of references (who may be contacted after the first or second round of interviews), and a motivation letter via the ‘apply now’ button.
The first round of interviews will take place on June 19, 2026.
If you have an international (non-Dutch) Master’s diploma, you will be requested to provide your Bachelor’s and Master’s diplomas as well as the corresponding grade lists (in English) if you are selected for this position.
Note that international candidates that need a visa/work permit for the Netherlands require at least four months processing time after selection and acceptance. This will be arranged with help of the International Service Desk (ISD) of our university. Finding appropriate housing in or near Utrecht is your own responsibility, but the ISD may be able to advise you therewith. Unfortunately, we must warn that it is a tight market at the moment. In case of general questions about working and living in The Netherlands, please consult the Dutch Mobility Portal.
The application deadline is 10 June 2026.
