PhD Position on wellbeing and input-output analysis

Vacancy number: 16276
Job type: PhD positions
Contract hours min: 38
Contract hours max: 38
Location: Leiden
Applying is possible until: 25 januari 2026

The Institute of Environmental Sciences (CML) at Leiden University is looking for a PhD candidate to work on a systems perspective on wellbeing to move beyond GDP using input‑output analysis under the supervision of Lena Kilian and Rutger Hoekstra.

Existing research on socio‑ecological transitions integrates ecological and social impacts of environmental degradation and mitigation to operate within planetary boundaries. However, from a wellbeing‑perspective, this research typically centres how basic needs and wellbeing indicators can be met through consumption. This includes a focus on meeting basic needs, such as food, housing and mobility requirements, as well as linking energy consumption to indicators like subjective wellbeing and life expectancy.

While considering consumption‑side needs satisfaction is essential, aspects of wellbeing which are linked to production, including working hours and labour conditions, are overlooked. In addition, factors not directly inside of the production‑consumption sphere, like leisure time, social relationships, and unpaid work, are also typically not included in these analyses.

To bridge this gap, this research takes a systems perspective of wellbeing, looking at wellbeing indicators throughout the whole of society. The successful candidate will work with the new global MARIO input‑output database to link economic activity to production‑side wellbeing indicators (e.g., work hours, labour conditions, gender equality, income equality, early mortality) and consumption‑side wellbeing indicators (e.g., needs satisfaction, essential energy use, life expectancy). Moreover, survey data can be used to analyse wellbeing indicators beyond the formal production‑consumption sphere, including leisure time, unpaid work and social relationships. This allows for a whole systems overview of wellbeing. Thereby, this work can identify wellbeing gaps in existing socio‑ecological transition frameworks and explore pathways which consider wellbeing throughout society.

This work can provide important insight into beyond GDP indicators for a post‑growth economy, which are necessary for achieving socially just climate policy.

In addition, this project will link the national totals to the European household consumption and other sub‑national data in order to analyse between as well as within‑country differences. This will enable an analysis of demographic and regional variations in wellbeing. As a result, this project will provide insight into how wellbeing can be achieved throughout and beyond the production‑consumption sphere, considering necessary socio‑ecological transitions to stay within planetary boundaries.

Leiden University is situated between Amsterdam (36 km) and The Hague (15 km) and was founded in 1575, making it the oldest university in the Netherlands. It houses around 35,000 students from 112 nationalities, facilitated by approximately 8,000 staff.

The Institute of Environmental Science (CML) at Leiden University offers a vibrant and supportive community of scientists committed to the challenges of sustainability. CML distinguishes itself for its attention to professional development in coordination with the interests of its scientists. As such, there are plenty of opportunities to learn new skills, expand your knowledge, collaborate across disciplines, and experiment in a friendly environment fully embodying academic freedom across all career levels.

The core focus of CML is to perform research and education in the interdisciplinary field of Environmental Sciences. CML focuses on the sustainable use of natural resources and preservation of natural capital and biodiversity. CML has a culture of mutual support and collaboration between researchers. CML has two Departments: Industrial Ecology (CML‑IE) and Environmental Biology (CML‑EB). Presently, about 150 fte (including postdocs