JUST ART Project:

This PhD project is part of the NWO funded Consortium JUST ART. Creating Common Grounds for Climate Justice Through Artistic Research, a six-year project on climate justice and artistic research in the Caribbean and European parts of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The project is funded by the Dutch Research Council (NWO). The University of Aruba is one of the partners in this project, led by the University of Groningen. It offers 10 PhD positions at six universities in collaboration with the Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (TNO) and four universities of applied sciences. JUST ART PhD candidates will generate new knowledge and critically assess approaches that integrate scientific insights with artistic research to address climate justice. JUST ART PhDs will study and develop concrete cases to learn how art and artistic research can be embedded in ongoing and emerging work on climate justice. They will enhance expertise and skills to take artistic and art-based transformative action on climate justice and will contribute to theoretical frameworks, common methods, educational toolkits and knowledge sharing platforms in co-creation with project partners. For more, see www.justart.info.

For “JUST TRANSITIONS. Climate Justice and the Value of Water in Small Island States: A Creative Data Visualisation Perspective”, the University of Aruba, in collaboration with University of Groningen, invites applications for a fully funded PhD position for four years. The position is embedded in the SISSTEM (Sustainable Island Solutions through Science, Technology, and Engineering) research program and focuses on the role of water in small island states from a climate justice and interdisciplinary perspective. Part of the contract will be the agreement on a Joint-PhD contract with both Universities.

PhD Project Description:

Small island states are disproportionately affected by climate change, with water scarcity, quality, and access posing critical challenges to socio-ecological resilience and equity. This PhD project, “The Function and Value of Water on Small Island States,” investigates how water systems intersect with ecological processes, social structures, and justice concerns in small island contexts.

Aligned with the wider JUST ART project, the PhD integrates scientific analysis with artistic and data-driven communication to generate new knowledge while developing, evaluating, and refining innovative modes of engagement. It not only emphasizes creative expression but also its equity and reach. Examining how data visualization and storytelling can diversify audiences, expand access, and advance climate justice in water-related contexts.

Research Focus:

1. The PhD research is structured around three interconnected themes:
2. Socio-Ecological Systems and Water Dynamics
3. Analysis of water availability, quality, management, and resilience in small island states, including climate change impacts and ecosystem services.
4. Data Visualization and Art-Based Communication
5. Development of visual and artistic tools to communicate the value and function of water, bridging science, art, and public engagement.
6. Climate Justice and Water Equity
7. Examination of inequalities in water access and governance, and the implications of climate change for vulnerable communities in small island contexts.

You will:

• Present findings in academic, artistic, and societal context (e.g. conferences, exhibitions, workshops, community gatherings);
• Publish at least one peer-reviewed article or book chapter and contribute to other writing projects as required (including JUST ART website);
• Produce a PhD thesis that combines publications with artistic formats;
• Closely collaborate with the other project members of the Just Art Theme “Just Transitions: Hydro-Social Relations in Islands, Coast, and Peatlands”, located at the Universities of Aruba and Groningen, and Art Academy Minerva/Hanze University of Applied Science;
• Teach during the 2nd, 3rd and 4th year;
• Actively contribute to the JUST ART Consortium community through participation in and organization of workshops with project partners, and participate in the JUST ART School’s writing retreats and other activities;
• Actively engage with societal partners, e.g. organize collaborative knowledge exchange as well as educational and dissemination activities.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to the collaborative nature of the project, regular physical presence is expected.

Who are you?

• Holds a Master’s degree in data/information science, environmental science, socio-ecological systems or a related field;
• Demonstrates excellent research skills;
• Demonstrates academic excellence and integrity;
• Demonstrates strong interest in small island states, water systems, and climate justice;
• Has affinity with data analysis, visualization, or creative research methods;
• Is motivated to work in an interdisciplinary, international research environment;
• Has excellent written and spoken English;
• Experience with participatory research, visualization, or art–science collaboration is an asset;
• Experience communicating research to academic and non-academic audiences.

We Offer:

• A fully funded PhD position within an NWO-granted JUST ART project;
• An interdisciplinary and internationally connected research environment;
• Integration within the research and outreach programs at the partner Universities;
• Interdisciplinary supervisory teams;
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary researchers and with relevant stakeholders;
• Working with and shaping the Creating Common Grounds Methods.   

Interested? Submit the following documents a motivation letter (max 2 pages, A4), CV, academic transcripts, a research proposal of no more than 500 words explaining how you would approach the interconnected themes, a writing sample of 1500 to 5000 words (e.g. published article or master thesis chapter) and the names and contact details of two referees who may be approached by the selection committee (reference letters are not required) before Friday, March 13, 2026, through our career portal: https://careers.portal.ua.aw. The selection interviews will take place during the second week of April 2026; this position will start no later than September 1, 2026. One (or more) job interviews, a medical exam, an assessment test and a certificate of good conduct are in accordance with our rules of application and a standard part of our recruitment and selection procedure.

For further information, please contact Dr. Salys Sultan (salys.sultan@ua.aw) or Dr. Eric Mijts (eric.mijts@ua.aw). One (or more) job interviews, a medical assessment test, and a certificate of good conduct are in accordance with our rules of application and a standard part of our recruitment and selection procedure.