We are looking for a PhD candidate who is interested in taking on the challenge of a PhD project at the cross-roads between science and practice which focuses on manageable, interconnected infrastructures. Based upon action-based research, the goal of the PhD research is to identify a set of guidelines that could be used by infrastructure managers in future innovative, cross-infrastructural replacement projects. For example guidelines that would support decisions of infra managers on how and when to jointly reconnoitre the feasibility of new replacement projects from an operate and maintain perspective as well as to decide when and how to engage in these collaborations. Apart from resulting in a dissertation, the PhD will provide concrete practical advice to the partner companies. To this end, the PhD will develop both scientific as well as more practical consultancy skills and competences. The TU will enable the PhD to develop both skillsets during the PhD. trajectory.

The PhD research will largely take place at the partner companies and provides unique access to (data about) interconnected infrastructural replacement projects. As a key part of the research, the PhD candidate will participate in a community-of-practice (CoP) where practitioners from partner companies meet to share and analyse ongoing cross-infrastructural replacement projects. The PhD candidate will prepare and organise these meetings and use these meetings to connect theoretical insights on cross-infrastructural replacement with empirical data and translate these in concrete advise.

The project provides the PhD the opportunity to build up a large knowledge network and develop a valuable and unique scientific and practical skillset while actively contributing to ongoing and future cross-infrastructural replacement projects.

The PhD candidate will be based in the governance group at the MAS department. This candidate preferably has an interdisciplinary profile, with a strong basis in the social sciences. A background in or proof of knowledge of the engineering sciences will be highly valued. The candidate should have an affinity for engineering and technology, provide evidence of excellent research skills and demonstrate excellent social and communication skills. Given that the majority of data will be in Dutch, proficiency in written and spoken Dutch is required.

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. 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. The 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, discipline-related and research skills. Please visit graduateschool.tudelft.nl for more information.

Faculty Technology, Policy and Management

The Faculty of Technology, Policy and Management (TPM) develops robust models and designs, to solve the complex challenges of today’s networked society. TPM combines insights from the engineering sciences with insights from the humanities and the social sciences.

The research is embedded in the Department of Multi-Actor Systems (MAS) at the Faculty of Technology, Policy and Management (TPM) of Delft University of Technology, which is conducting the research in collaboration with the Department of Structural Engineering of Delft University of Technology (who will host a linked post-doc position as part of the project). The faculty’s central aim is to achieve a unique, co-operative relationship between the social sciences and humanities and the engineering sciences.

The Organisation & Governance (OG) section is a vibrant, international, interdisciplinary group of about 20 tenured faculty members and about 20
non-tenured. We focus on the analysis and design of processes of governance and decision-making of wicked problems in technologically complex environments. In our research and education, we concentrate on the analysis and design of decision-making processes and institutions and their confrontation with real-life complexity, often in close cooperation with our direct colleagues from the TU Delft/TPM focusing on the modelling. Staff-members in our section use quantitative and/or qualitative research methods.

https://www.tudelft.nl/en/tpm/