This project is funded by NWO (Principal Investigator: Dr. Daan Schraven), and is a collaboration between the Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment (ABE), Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences (CITG), Faculty of Technology, Policy and Management (TBM) in TU Delft, as well the Erasmus Initiative on the Dynamics of Inclusive Prosperity at Erasmus University Rotterdam. This PhD position will be supervised by Dr. Daan Schraven (CITG), Dr. Martijn Leijten (TBM) and Prof. dr. Paul W Chan (ABE, Main Promotor).

Infrastructure development is a multi-actor endeavour prone to investment lock-ins. Agencies often wait for others to innovate, leading to and reinforcing conservatism. Policies have also recognised the need to connect multiple agencies across different sectors (e.g. energy, transport, water) to build responsive infrastructures for sustainability and sociotechnical transitions. To address these challenges, ADEPT aims to analyse and redesign ways in which multiple infrastructure agencies can come together to explore and exploit interdependencies through cross-agency information exchanges. ADEPT takes a system-of-systems approach to answer the question of how multiple infrastructure agencies can connect their long-term visions to address infrastructures-in-transitions while adapting to everyday needs of and short-term pressures on the infrastructural system. ADEPT will be delivered through three work packages that (1) understand and redesign activity systems for multiple agencies to work together towards building responsive infrastructures; (2) develop a framework of implicit communication exchanges so that stigmergic cues between multiple agencies can happen without explicit effort from parties, and; (3) propose institutional arrangements and capacities that facilitate new activity systems for cross-agency communication.

In this collaborative research project, one PhD researcher and one postdoc researcher (both based at TU Delft) will be appointed. The PhD researcher will address Work Packages 1 and 2. We are looking for candidates with a strong affinity with transdisciplinary research, who can combine theoretical innovation and scientific rigour with an interest in driving societal change.

Key responsibilities

• Conduct transdisciplinary research that contributes to the project deliverables and the writing of a PhD thesis;
• Engage effectively with key stakeholders on the project and support their work;
• Be an active member of the network of infra partners, including Alliander, Rijswaterstaat, Prorail and Vitens;
• Undertake relevant coursework and other training;
• Contribute to the writing of high-quality, high-impact publications;
• Participate in the general intellectual life of the Design and Construction Management Section in the Department of Management in the Built Environment, and the community of the Construction Management and Engineering programme.

• A Master’s degree in a relevant cognate discipline (e.g. organisational and management studies, public administration, decision sciences, communication sciences) with an evident interest in infrastructure planning and design;
• Familiarity with quantitative and qualitative research methods and a strong desire to develop advanced research methods that support engaged scholarship;
• Some background or interest in information theory and systems engineering is a plus;
• A substantive interest in working with stakeholders to drive behavioural change in the context of infrastructure planning for sustainability transitions;
• An excellent command of the English language and preferably also in the Dutch language;
• Excellent study results and academic skills, visible in the Bachelors and Masters course transcripts;
• Strong critical thinking and writing skills, visible in the writing sample;
• The ability to work independently, and as part of a team.

Doing a PhD at TU Delft requires English proficiency at a certain level to ensure that the candidate is able to communicate and interact well, participate in English-taught Doctoral Education courses, and write scientific articles and a final thesis. For more details please check the Graduate Schools Admission Requirements.

The position starts on 1st May 2022, or as soon as possible thereafter.
Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1,5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months. Followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2,5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from € 2443 per month in the first year to € 3122 in the fourth year. As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills.

The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance and sport memberships, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged. For international applicants we offer the Coming to Delft Service and Partner Career Advice to assist you with your relocation.

Delft University of Technology

Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context. At TU Delft we embrace diversity and aim to be as inclusive as possible (see our Code of Conduct). Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale.

Challenge. Change. Impact! 

Faculty Architecture & the Built Environment

The Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment has a leading role in education and research worldwide. The driving force behind the faculty’s success is its robust research profile combined with the energy and creativity of its student body and academic community. It is buzzing with energy from early in the morning until late at night, with four thousand people studying, working, designing, conducting research and acquiring and disseminating knowledge. Our faculty has a strong focus on 'design-oriented research’, which has given it a top position in world rankings.

Staff and students are working to improve the built environment with the help of a broad set of disciplines, including architectural design, urban planning, building technology, social sciences, process management, and geo-information science. The faculty works closely with other faculties, universities, private parties, and the public sector, and has an extensive network in the Netherlands as well as internationally.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment.