PhD fellowship in Landscape Architecture and Planning

PhD Project in Outdoor Recreation and Green Space Planning

Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management
Faculty of Science

University of Copenhagen

The section of Landscape Architecture, Planning and Society invites applicants for the PhD fellowship: Restorative Outdoor Recreation in a One Health Perspective: Linking Nature, Health and Sustainability. The project is part of research projects financed by the Danish Outdoor Council, Horizon Europe and ministry service in relation to the agreement between University of Copenhagen and the Ministry of Environment.

Start date is (expected to be) 1. January 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.

The project
The project titled “Restorative Outdoor Recreation in a One Health Perspective: Linking Nature, Health and Sustainability” takes departure in the polycrisis of poor mental health, biodiversity decline, and climate change. The project seeks to explore, understand and analyse synergies between calm recreational nature visits, restorative benefits, minimum ecological impacts, possible formations of climate change literacy, and pro-biodiversity awareness and attitudes. The project is case-based and include sites in national parks in Denmark as well as coastal sites faced with climate change impacts in Denmark.

Who are we looking for?
We are looking for a candidate within the field(s) of Nature Management and Landscape Architecture with experiences in place-based research approaches, GIS / PPGIS, and qualitative methods. The ideal candidate will have training in biodiversity management, recreation ecology and outdoor recreation planning, and experience in work with diverse and relational values of nature, as well as the restorative benefits of nature. In addition, it is beneficial if the candidate is Danish speaking and have experience with ministry service.

Our group and research- and what do we offer?
The PhD fellow will be enrolled in the research group Nature, Green Spaces and Outdoor Recreation in the section of Landscape Architecture, Planning and Society, Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, University of Copenhagen. The group consists of 9 researchers including PhDs, post docs and tenured senior staff. We are working cross disciplines with applied research focused on studying people and nature relationships. We are located in Copenhagen.

We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in dynamic and international research environment.

1. Principal supervisor is Professor Anton Stahl Olafsson, Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, asol@ign.ku.dk, Direct phone: +4535331808
2. Co-supervisor is Associate Professor Dorthe Varning Poulsen

The PhD programme
The PhD programme is a three year full-time study within the framework of the regular PhD programme (5+3 scheme), if you already have an education equivalent to a relevant Danish master’s degree.

Qualifications needed for the regular programme
To be eligible for the regular PhD programme, you must have completed a degree programme, equivalent to a Danish master’s degree (180 ECTS/3 FTE BSc + 120 ECTS/2 FTE MSc) related to the subject area of the project, e.g. Nature Management, Landscape Architecture, or Geography. For information of eligibility of completed programmes, see General assessments for specific countries and Assessment database.

Terms of employment in the regular programme
Employment as PhD fellow is full time and for maximum 3 years.

Employment is conditional upon your successful enrolment as a PhD student at the PhD School at the Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen. This requires submission and acceptance of an application for the specific project formulated by the applicant.

Terms of appointment and payment accord to the agreement between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State. The position is covered by the Protocol on Job Structure.

The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the surrounding community and invites all regardless of personal background to apply for the position.

Responsibilities and tasks in the PhD programme

• Carry through an independent research project under supervision 
• Complete PhD courses corresponding to approx. 30 ECTS / ½ FTE
• Participate in active research environments, including a stay at another research institution, preferably abroad
• Teaching and knowledge dissemination activities
• Write scientific papers aimed at high-impact journals
• Write and defend a PhD thesis on the basis of your project

We are looking for the following qualifications:

• Professional qualifications relevant to the PhD project
• Relevant publications
• Relevant work experience
• Other relevant professional activities
• Curious mind-set with a strong interest in people and nature
• Good language skills

Application and Assessment Procedure
Your application including all attachments must be in English and submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below.

Please include: 

1. Motivated letter of application (max. one page)
2. Your motivation for applying for the specific PhD project
3. Curriculum vitae including information about your education, experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position
4. Original diplomas for Bachelor or Master and transcript of records in the original language, including an authorized English translation if issued in another language than English or Danish. If not completed, a certified/signed copy of a recent transcript of records or a written statement from the institution or supervisor is accepted.
5. Publication list (if possible)
6. Reference letters (if available)

Application deadline
The deadline for applications is 7 November 2025, 23:59 GMT +1.  

We reserve the right not to consider material received after the deadline, and not to consider applications that do not live up to the abovementioned requirements.

The further process
After deadline, a number of applicants will be selected for academic assessment by an unbiased expert assessor. You are notified, whether you will be passed for assessment.

The assessor will assess the qualifications and experience of the shortlisted applicants with respect to the above mentioned research area, techniques, skills and other requirements. The assessor will conclude whether each applicant is qualified and, if so, for which of the two models. The assessed applicants will have the opportunity to comment on their assessment. You can read about the recruitment process at https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/.

Questions
For specific information about the PhD fellowship, please contact the principal supervisor.

General information about PhD study at the Faculty of SCIENCE is available at the PhD School’s website: https://www.science.ku.dk/phd/