Delft University of Technology is hiring a doctoral candidate on the subject of social licence to operate smart charging of electric vehicles (EVs). The position is established within the faculty of Technology Policy and Management (TPM), department Engineering Systems and Services (ESS), more specifically in the Energy and Industry (E&I) section, where the research on energy system integration, industry and energy transitions and circular economy takes place.

The distributed fleet of parked and plugged-in EVs, including Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) compatible EVs, would be able to provide services to the grid in exchange for which EV drivers would be rewarded and/or financially compensated. The services provided by smart charging (demand response) and V2G would enable the integration of higher shares of variable renewable power plants and lower total cost of ownership of EVs.

However, besides technical feasibility of smart charging/V2G solutions, attention should be given to social acceptance by diverse user groups to increase acceptance and scalability. Therefore, social acceptance of smart/V2G charging remains a necessary prerequisite for further adoption and commercialisation of this technology. This PhD research project is aimed at investigating social acceptance and usage of smart charging and V2G technology as well as providing recommendations on how to increase the acceptance by diverse user groups. The Theory of Planned Behaviour will provide the first direction to build an agent-based model (ABM) for social licence to operate smart/vehicle-to-grid charging.     

We are looking for candidates who:

- Have a background in an engineering or in a science domain demonstrated by a MSc degree in, for example, Complex Systems Engineering and Management, Sustainable Energy Technology, or a MSc in a relevant interdisciplinary programme;

- Have a fascination with electric mobility and its role in future energy systems

- Have experience on (ABM) system modelling  and analysis;

- Have the affinity with energy transition problems;

- Are open minded, independent, self-motivated and eager to 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.

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, TU Delft has the Coming to Delft Service. This service provides information for new international employees to help you prepare the relocation and to settle in the Netherlands. The Coming to Delft Service offers a Dual Career Programme for partners and they organise events to expand your (social) network.

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!

Faculty Technology, Policy and Management

The Faculty of TPM provides an important contribution to solving complex technical-social issues, such as energy transition, mobility, digitalisation, water management and (cyber) security. TPM does this with its excellent education and research at the intersection of technology, society and policy. We combine insights from both engineering and social sciences as well as the humanities. TPM develops robust models and designs, is internationally oriented and has an extensive network of knowledge institutions, companies, social organisations and governments.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Technology, Policy and Management.