Doctoral student in Urban Morphology and Walking for Healthy Urban Planning and Design

How can urban morphology help us understand pedestrians’ environmental exposure, identify where urban interventions have the greatest impact, and determine who would benefit most? Chalmers invites applications for a PhD on how the built environment shapes pedestrian movement and exposure to beneficial and adverse conditions (urban nature, heat, air pollution, noise) (REF 2026-0409).

About us

The Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering addresses challenges for the built and natural environment. You join the Spatial Morphology Group (SMoG) in the Urban Design and Planning division, which investigates how urban form influences urban life through spatial analysis and empirically validated models (Space Syntax, GIS, urban analytics, pedestrian modelling, Social-Ecological Urbanism), extending this to ecological conditions and health-related exposure.

About the research project

The project studies mobility-based environmental exposure for pedestrians—adverse (air pollution, noise, heat) and beneficial (urban nature)—distinguishing transport walking, leisure walking, and sojourning across population groups. It combines empirical pedestrian behaviour data with high-resolution measures of urban form and environment, further developing Pedestrian-Weighted Exposure (PWE) to identify where, how many, and which pedestrians are exposed, informing prioritisation of greening, shading, noise mitigation, and related interventions. It contributes to a larger five-year program on urban form supporting accessibility, health, and biodiversity together.

Who we are looking for

Mandatory: Master's in Architecture, Urban Design, Urban Planning, or closely related field; strong urban morphology knowledge with emphasis on Space Syntax; GIS for mapping and spatial analysis; spatial data processing, analysis and visualisation; excellent English; independent and collaborative work in interdisciplinary settings.

Strengthening: people–environment theories (urban health, human ecology, environmental psychology); empirical data collection (observational mapping, GPS, PPGIS); programming (Python, R, SQL, JavaScript); statistical analysis and/or spatial modelling.

What you will do

As PhD candidate you will conduct research on urban morphology, walking, and environmental exposure; develop methods and evidence for planning and design; and participate in the doctoral programme (courses, research communication). Contract allows teaching up to 20%.

Contract terms

• Fully funded from start
• Fixed-term four years; teaching up to 20% may extend up to five years
• Starting salary 35,725 SEK per month (valid from 1 May 2026)
• Physical presence required; valid residence permit by study start

Application procedure

Apply in English via the official Chalmers vacancy page with the required PDF documents. Deadline: 9 October 2026. Contact: Meta Berghauser Pont.

Mandatory

• Master's degree in Architecture, Urban Design, Urban Planning, or a closely related field
• Strong knowledge of theories and methods in urban morphology, with particular emphasis on Space Syntax
• Demonstrated experience using GIS for mapping and spatial analysis of urban environments
• Experience in spatial data processing, analysis and visualisation
• Excellent written and spoken English
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in an interdisciplinary research environment

Strengthening

• Knowledge of theories/methods on people–environment interactions (e.g. urban health, human ecology, environmental psychology)
• Experience with empirical data collection on behaviour or mobility (observational mapping, GPS tracking, PPGIS)
• Programming experience in Python, R, SQL, JavaScript or similar
• Experience with statistical analysis and/or spatial modelling