We are looking for a driven, motivated and outstanding PhD researcher interested in sustainability transitions and resilience in general and in the relationship between urban water systems, urban design and ecology in particular with a passion in linking scientific understanding and insights to spatial and ecological design, planning and practice.

Delta Urbanism Interdisciplinary Research Group, part of TU Delft Department of Urbanism, is seeking to expand its team with a new driven, motivated and outstanding PhD researcher interested in sustainability transitions and resilience in general and in urban water systems, urban design and ecology in particular with a passion in linking scientific understanding and insights to spatial and ecological design, planning and practice. The doctoral researcher will be part of the Water4Change research project and as thus connected to an international research consortium on fit-for-purpose water sensitive design for fast growing liveable cities in India. As part of the Delta Urbanism team, the researcher will also engage in other activities in the field of research and education.

The Water4Change project

The Water4Change research programme addresses the complex challenges to urban water systems faced by fast-growing cities in India. India is a country which is rapidly growing into urban agglomerations showing infrastructure deficits and adaptation gaps in relation to current and future climatic, societal and economic change. The programme embraces water as a basic necessity for life that is both an agent and catalyst of positive transformative changes that are needed to pro-actively deal with and respond to these challenges. To facilitate long-term sustainability and resilience of urban water systems, the programme will co-create and mainstream an integrative, fit-for-purpose and adaptive water sensitive design framework in close collaboration with stakeholders in three Indian cities. The framework will be developed by synergistically connecting four realms – governance, built and natural environment, technology and infrastructure design and societal behaviours – for the delivery of transformative change. The project is co-funded by the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO) and the Indian Government Department of Science and Technology (DST) under the Cooperation India – the Netherlands programme.

The focal aim of this doctoral research position is to develop a conceptual and methodological framework for the implementation of a spatial-ecological water sensitive planning and design in cities. Shifting to and maintaining water sensitive urban systems places multiple new demands on spatial and ecological planning and design. It requires to proactively adapt to and cope with multiple uncertainties and shocks in the short- and long-term, to take interrelations and dynamics across the full water cycle as well as other socio-economic and ecological conditions into account, and to ensure inclusive and innovative spatial plans. Next to developing a novel framework for spatial-ecological water sensitive planning and design in the Indian case study cities, your research will develop an integrated process-based design methodology for the mainstreaming of water sensitive, climate responsive, and nature based urban design and land-use planning. Your research will respond to relevant research gaps in sustainability transitions, resilience and adaptive design literatures, addressing the following research questions: What is the potential (limiting and/or enabling) role of the built and natural environment towards planning and design for water sensitive cities? How can an integrated process-based design methodology be applied as an operational framework to support water security and ecosystem health in Indian cities?

The main objectives of the PhD research position are:

• Developing a conceptual and methodological framework for planning and design of water sensitive, climate responsive and nature based urban environments
• Analysing the influence of the built and natural environment (land-use/land-cover patterns) in sustaining water security and ecosystem health in Indian cities in the short- and long-term
• Conducting field research and workshops in India and collaborating with other PhD researchers from India
• Publishing research findings in scientific journals, presenting the project at international conferences, cross-fertilizing the results with local and international scholars and practitioners

The successful applicant will have an excellent academic track record, a completed M.Sc., M.A. or equivalent university degree, and demonstrated capacity for interdisciplinary science research. We encourage candidates with a multi-disciplinary background in Architecture, Urband Planning and Design, Landscape Architecture, Environmental Design and Water Management to apply.

An affinity with sustainability transitions, the concepts of urban water systems, landscape urbanism, nature-based solutions and transdisciplinary research are highly desirable. Ideally, the candidate has first-hand experiences with theories of urban design and land-use planning, landscape ecology, water management and/or adaptive design.

The project requires frequent traveling to Indian case study cities. The candidate should be proficient in English (both writing and speaking) on a C1 CEFR level (or equivalent), and willing to collaborate and travel internationally.

Fixed-term contract: 4 years.

The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, a discount for health insurance and sport memberships, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged. Coming to Delft Service organizes diverse events for new international employees and their accompanying partners, like Partner Career Workshops and Dutch Culture Workshops. Located on campus are the International Children’s Centre and an international primary school which are subject to availability as well as several bilingual schools in the nearby surrounding. Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment; an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor; and a Doctoral Education Programme aimed at developing your transferable, disciplinerelated and research skills. Please visit www.tudelft.nl/phd for more information.

Technische Universiteit Delft

Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) is a multifaceted institution offering education and carrying out research in the technical sciences at an internationally recognised level. Education, research and design are strongly oriented towards applicability. TU Delft develops technologies for future generations, focusing on sustainability, safety and economic vitality. At TU Delft you will work in an environment where technical sciences and society converge. TU Delft comprises eight faculties, unique laboratories, research institutes and schools.

Faculty Architecture & the Built Environment

Department of Urbanism, Delta Urbanism Interdisciplinary Research Group  

Since its foundation 110 years ago, the Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment has built up a solid international reputation for training architects, urban planners and designers, as well as for its research portfolio and coaching of PhD candidates. With around 2600 students and 500 staff members, with around 230 FTEs devoted to academic positions, our faculty is one of the largest of Delft University of Technology and one of the most prestigious architecture and the built environment faculties globally. Traditionally, the faculty has prioritised high-quality training in design and research in the field of the built environment. Over 40 chairs cover a wide range of academic areas in design, process and technology, which together cover the entire field of the built environment. The Department of Urbanism in the Faculty of Architecture at Delft University of Technology was established in 1948 and since then has contributed to academic knowledge of the urban environment and design and planning interventions.

The Department of Urbanism in the Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment encompasses and combines urban design, spatial planning, landscape architecture and environmental modelling. These areas are represented in the four sections of the department. The Department has a global reputation for excellence in research and education, and is particularly well known for the ‘Dutch approach’ to urbanism that brings together the creativity of design with academic research methods. This ‘integral’ urbanism enjoys high international esteem in professional practice, research and education.

The Delta Urbanism Interdisciplinary Research Group at the Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) is hosted by the Section of Urban Design, Chair of Urban Design Theory & Methods within the Department of Urbanism. The group investigates the possibilities to combine flood protection, soil and water management strategies with urban design, landscape design and spatial planning, aiming to improve spatial forms and structures and innovate urban systems in urban and metropolitan delta regions. Founded on an interdisciplinary approach, in which designing and engineering disciplines activate innovation in design, technology and governance, the ambition is to have international impact as a specific interdisciplinairy field of work.