For a public and privately funded partner program called The Circular Road, we are looking for a Postdoc with 0,6 and 0,8 FTE appointment for a maximum duration of 3 years (of which first a 1,5 year contract and a possible extension upon good performance).

The construction sector is transitioning to circular practices, in which it uses raw materials as efficiently and circularly as possible in projects. To make this feasible and self-reliant, the sector is actively seeking the potential of new circular business models. The Circular Road partner program has been a frontrunner in this endeavour in the Netherlands. Since 2020, the first partner program developed the As a Service concept based on the practical needs and scientific input. In this stage, various practical products have been delivered by public and private partners (such as practical manuals, calculation models and advisory reports) as a toolkit to the implementation of As a service models in infrastructure works. As a partner, the TU Delft has helped to develop these As a Service models and tested the added value on concrete infrastructure cases. This proved that these models achieved some promising results both on the environmental and behavioral sides of circularity.

In 2024, the time has come to look at the circularity and scale-up potential of these models with a renewed set of partners and pilots. The main question for this phase of the research will be “With which choices in Infra As a Service models do parties achieve more circularity and scaling potential for infrastructure projects?” A few particular challenges will have to be overcome in this project. First, there is the challenge of measuring circularity amidst an infant circular data structure. Second, the level of accessible knowledge to the workings of the as a service model, need to be improved.

In pushing for solutions to these challenges, the research will also address a number of sub-questions using the existing and new pilot cases, like:

• Which as a service request, design and financial model result in which sustainability measures?
• Which incentives in the existing As a service projects result in which sustainability and circularity measures? And which of these incentives can be specifically influenced and used by the public client?
• What is needed in the AAS model to get a positive business case for everyone involved?

In a possible extension of your contract, you will follow-up on assessing the circularity and scale-up potential of as a service models in comparison to existing mechanisms at the disposal of public agencies in the Netherlands and internationally. This involves sub-questions like:

• How effective is the as a service model on circularity and scaleable impact in comparison to other forms of public-private collaboration (e.g. two-phase contracts, program contracts, rapid circular contracts, innovation partnerships)? What considerations will play a role for public clients when it comes to choosing between these forms?
• What is the circularity and scale-up potential of implementing as a service models in other international contexts where infrastructure is publicly procured (like the other countries in the European Union)?

We are looking for:

• A Postdoc research with a background in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Management in the Built Environment, Business Administration, Public administration or transition or innovation studies.
• Strong skills in qualitative research methods
• Good communicative and entrepreneurial skills, independent attitude paired with an ability to work with practitioners and researchers
• A new team member who is able to lead the project and involve the research team and public and private partners in knowledge co-creation and sharing activities.

Fixed-term contract: 18 months, with a possible extension of 1,5 years with good performance.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (based on scale 10: € 3.226,00 - € 5.090,00). The employment contract is offered for 18 months, with a possible extension of 1,5 years with good performance. The position is open for 22-32 hours per week. The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, 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 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.