Following the success of Campus NL research in 2016, TU Delft's Campus Research Team led by Alexandra den Heijer and Monique Arkesteijn will start a 4-year Campus NL research process from 2023. Science and practice will work closely together in this knowledge-sharing process. Campus NL aims to pool the knowledge and experience of the 14 Dutch universities in order to tackle today's campus challenges - innovative, sustainable, affordable, inspiring, effective and healthy - together and to organize campus management within each of the universities (even) more effectively and efficiently.

Caption: Campus NL research aims to support decision makers and designers in balancing organisational, financial, functional and physical requirements [illustration: Mark van Huystee].

With a new PhD student, research manager, project leader and a network of new campus contacts at each of the 14 universities, data will be collected for, among other things, (part A) a campus dashboard and project database/timeline, (part B) annual publications with insights from collective campus practice and scholarship, (part C) lessons from foreign universities, similar organizations and alternative models for organizing knowledge exchange, and (part D) a knowledge platform and exchange network on Campus NL. The focus of the PhD student is on part C of the research, with substantive connections to the other parts. Current challenges such as the hybrid campus after corona, the energy transition and climate proofing of the campus are just some of the topics that require knowledge exchange and about which universities are already sharing information.

For this research, both the theory and practice of knowledge sharing will be explored. How do other countries organize the exchange of campus knowledge between their universities? Interesting cases in comparison with Campus NL are the situations in Germany (HIS.de), United Kingdom (AUDE), Sweden (Akademiska Hus) and Finland (Sykoy). In addition, the question is what we can learn from other (public) organizations, such as hospitals and government real estate. Combined with insights from theory, this research aims to analyze alternative models for knowledge exchange and as an intended result to contribute to the improvement of information provision and organization of campus management.

Vision and scope of the chair
Do you want to develop scientifically with an eye for social themes and impact on society? The Public Real Estate chair works with large public organizations and studies the question of how their property can optimally contribute to their public (organizational) goals. As a PhD student, you will be part of the Campus Research Team that supports decision-makers of public organizations - including a large number of universities, the police and the Central Government Real Estate Agency - with (public) real estate strategies, innovative concepts, management methods, dashboards and (smart) tools.

As a scientist, you will work for TU Delft, but will also have contact with other Dutch universities or networks of universities abroad. Universities are large employers and are among the largest property managers in a country. However, managing their stock of buildings - including monuments - is never their primary task. Themes such as innovation and sustainability, health and safety, as well as flexibility and identity, are relevant to their campus strategies. At the same time, public resources and campus budgets are under pressure. In this regard, public organizations want to learn from each other and from science. The PhD student will play a key role in this.

We are looking for an enthusiastic, motivated and results-oriented graduate (MSc), with as many of the traits listed below as possible, the first of which is a must-have:

• You have an academic background (BSc + MSc degree).
• You have an affinity with - and preferably a background in - both the built environment and knowledge development/knowledge exchange in organizations.
• You have a broad academic interest and can easily switch between disciplines.
• You have a good enough command of Dutch and English to be able to write academically and present your results.
• You can present your results in words, images and figures, depending on the target group.
• You are a team player and enjoy exchanging knowledge in order to learn and let others learn.

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.

Fixed-term contract: 4 jaar.

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 € 2541 per month in the first year to € 3247 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 as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.

Challenge. Change. Impact!

Faculteit

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.