PhD Position – JUST PRODUCTION: Art & Regenerative Entrepreneurship

Institution: Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU) / Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences (HvA)
Deadline: March 15, 2026
Location: Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, in collaboration with the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences (HvA), is offering a PhD position within the JUST ART consortium on Art & Climate Justice. This position focuses on regenerative economies and explores how artistic and art-based research can address the challenges faced by entrepreneurs committed to regenerative production models.

The PhD will be one of ten positions within the JUST ART consortium and will work in close collaboration with the Network Regenerative Practices, hosted by the Centre for Economic Transformation (HvA).

Position Details

• Contract: 0.8–1.0 FTE

• Duration: 4 years (initial 1-year contract, extendable upon positive evaluation)

• Salary: €3,059 (Year 1) up to €3,881 gross per month (Year 4, full-time)

• Faculty: Social Sciences and Humanities

• Teaching duties in Years 2 and 3

• Regular on-site presence required

Benefits include:

• 232 holiday hours per year (full-time, 38-hour week)

• 8% holiday allowance

• 8.3% end-of-year bonus

• ABP pension scheme

• Commuting contribution

• Access to sports facilities

Research Focus

The PhD will explore artistic and art-based approaches to regenerative entrepreneurship, working in co-creation with entrepreneurs seeking to produce life-sustaining goods in environmentally and socially restorative ways.

Possible research areas include:

• Regenerative business models (creating economic, social, environmental, human and more-than-human value)

• Regenerative entrepreneurship (innovation, resilience, opportunity recognition)

• Fair economic ecosystems (traceability, transparency, lifecycle analysis of goods)

• The role of more-than-human agents as co-creators in regenerative economies

Candidates may propose alternative but related research directions.

The doctoral thesis must integrate an artistic or art-based research format (e.g., exhibition, workshop) alongside academic writing.

Key Responsibilities

• Participate actively in the JUST ART consortium and Graduate School activities

• Write a doctoral dissertation in accordance with VU regulations

• Publish at least one peer-reviewed article or book chapter

• Organise collaborative knowledge exchange and dissemination activities

• Present research in academic, artistic, and societal contexts

• Undertake teaching tasks in Years 2 and 3

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

• Hold a relevant MA (or equivalent) in art, design, entrepreneurship, and/or social sciences

• Ideally have an active artistic or social design research practice

• Demonstrate engagement with climate justice and/or environmental issues

• Be able to work independently and collaboratively in interdisciplinary contexts

• Have excellent written and spoken English and Dutch