PhD in Land-Use Policy, Planning Law and Property Right’s role in reaching social- & environmental sustainability goals

At the Technical Faculty of IT and Design, Department of Sustainability and Planning, a PhD student position in ‘Land-Use Policy, Planning Law and Property Right’s role in reaching social- & environmental sustainability goals’ is open for appointment from 1 September 2025, or soon hereafter with workplace in Copenhagen.

The department was established in 1975. Today, we are located in two beautiful harbour-front locations in both Aalborg and Copenhagen. We have more than 250 employees and approximately 1,200 students across the two cities. Our research and study programs are rooted in sustainability and the green transition. This means we conduct research in areas such as the circular economy, technology, urban, energy, and environmental planning, as well as sustainable transition and design. Sustainability is central to our work in environmental assessment and marine management. In surveying and land use, sustainability is reflected in our efforts in nature restoration and climate adaptation.

As society continues to develop digitally, we also focus on responsible technology development, addressing real-life challenges. Our problem-oriented approach and close collaboration with businesses and public organizations form the foundation of all our study programs. Additionally, our engineering programs are among the best in Europe.

Job description

The position is available for a period of 36 months. The primary workplace will be on the Copenhagen campus but frequent trips to Aalborg and close collaboration with Aalborg-based colleagues are required.

Research areas for this position will be within the scope of the Land Management and Governance Research Group at the Department of Sustainability and Planning. A core goal is to strengthen research underpinning spatial planning- and land legislation and areas surrounding the topic of public- and private property rights. These components are all central to the education of Chartered Surveyors https://www.en.aau.dk/education/master/surveying-planning-and-land-management-aal and we strive to ensure that teaching in this program is solidly grounded in research. While we are open to broad interpretations of the position’s focus within the overall topic (‘Land-Use Policy, Planning Law and Property Right’s role in reaching social- & environmental sustainability goals’), we ask applicants to define a research topic that builds on their training and core strengths, addresses a societal issue of high relevance and has ties to developing research-based high-quality teaching. Regulatory spatial planning is of central importance to reaching sustainability targets in Denmark, the EU and globally, and to contribute to the group’s capacity in a meaningful way, it is important that the applicant has core strengths in planning as a regulatory discipline and the applicant must have research and teaching capacity with clear links to legislative and regulatory subjects. The position will center on developing an area of research that has strong potential for external funding and international collaboration. The ideal candidate has interests in developing a deep understanding of Danish legal frameworks, both to develop appropriate teaching and to engage in research using the Danish context as a case in collaborative international research.

This position provides opportunities for:

•    A high degree of influence on the specifics of the research conducted
•    Balanced work of teaching and research
•    Teaching using the Problem Based Learning approach providing opportunity for strong links between research and teaching
•    Interdisciplinary working environment 
•    Participation in national and international conferences 
•    Flexible working hours 
•    Potential for promotion to assistant professor 

You may obtain further professional information from associate professor and head of section Janni Sørensen, jannis@plan.aau.dk  

You can read more on TECH as a workplace here.

You can read more on Department of Sustainability and Planning here.

Qualification requirements: 

The applicant must hold a master’s degree in a relevant discipline, such as Chartered Surveyor, Public Policy, Public Law, Environmental Policy and Law, Urban and Regional Planning, Geography or related fields.

• Strong background and interest in the legal aspects of planning, land-use regulation and property rights
• Strong team player who wishes to collaborate with others in the research group in both Aalborg and Copenhagen
• Demonstrated ability to disseminate results in peer reviewed journals and at international conferences
• Good English skills (oral and written) required. Danish language skills important for data collection and therefor required as well.

The potential for impactful research of each applicant will be emphasized in the overall assessment.

It is a prerequisite for allocation of the stipend that the candidate will be enrolled as a PhD student at the Technical Doctoral School of IT and Design in accordance with the regulations of Ministerial Order No. 1039 of August 27, 2013 on the PhD Programme at the Universities and Certain Higher Artistic Educational Institutions. According to the Ministerial Order, the progress of the PhD student shall be assessed at regular points in time.

The application must contain the following:

Motivation letter (max 1 page) outlining your qualifications and motivation for this position Project idea (max 2 pages) describing a research topic within the broad scope outlined above, discussing relevance and target audience, reflection on methodological approach, as well as thoughts about possible external funding to apply for to continue work past the exploratory phase. CV Copies of relevant diplomas (Master of Science). On request you could be asked for an official English translation. You may attach up to 5 publications. Dissemination qualifications, including participation on committees or boards, participation in organizations and similar. Personal data.

The applications are only to be submitted online by using the "Apply online" button below. An assessment committee will assess all candidates.

AAU wishes to reflect the diversity of society and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background or belief.

For further information concerning the application procedure please contact Helen Kjerstein Kristensen by mail hek@adm.aau.dk or phone (+45) 9940 7373. Information regarding guidelines, ministerial circular in force and procedures can be seen here. 

Workplace

Aalborg University (AAU) provides outstanding research and education. At AAU, we believe that knowledge can and should change the world. This belief drives our high ambitions. We seek knowledge through interaction with the world around us, focusing on real problems and missions that we aim to solve with sustainable solutions. Our research and educational programs are multidisciplinary and built on close collaborations with business and industry. This approach is further strengthened by our world-renowned Problem-Based Learning (PBL) teaching model, which is grounded in solving real-world problems. These collaborations, along with our recognized research, contribute new insights, solutions to societal challenges, and knowledge that is changing the world.

In 2024, AAU has moved from the world Top-10 to the world Top-5 on sustainability! On the internationally acclaimed Times Higher Education Impact ranking list, AAU takes fourth place among close to 1.600 universities worldwide. The ranking list evaluates the contributions of universities in terms of fulfilling the UN's sustainable development goals. In recent years, Aalborg University has risen in the international lists of university rankings. More than 20,000 students are enrolled at Aalborg University, of which over 10% are international students from various countries worldwide. To support them, we have 3500 employees.

Aalborg University wants to reflect the surrounding society and has diversity as a core value. Therefore, everyone, regardless of personal background and orientation, is encouraged to apply for the position.

Do you have any questions?     
If you have any questions about the position, you are more than welcome to contact us. You will find contact persons at the bottom of the jobpost.

Further information  
We recommend that you save a copy of the job posting, as it will be removed once the application deadline has passed.  

The assessment of candidates for the position will be carried out by qualified experts.
Shortlisting will be applied. This means that after the application deadline, the head of the department, with the assistance of the hiring committee, will select the applicants to be assessed. All applicants will be informed whether they have been shortlisted for assessment or not.

The hiring process at Aalborg University may include a risk assessment as a tool to identify potential risks associated with new hires, ensuring the safety, compliance, and integrity of the workplace.

Read more about The Technical Doctoral School of IT and Design

Salary and terms of employment
The employment is in accordance with the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities (the Appointment Order) and the Ministerial Order on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities (in Danish) and protocol on certain terms of employment of academic staff at universities (in Danish). 

Salary and terms of employment are in accordance with the collective agreement between the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations and the state (AC collective agreement) (in Danish) and protocol on certain terms of employment of academic staff at universities (in Danish).