Researcher in sustainable travel behaviour

People are more and more aware of their (individual) impact on the environment when travelling. As a result, a growing number of people have the intention to adopt more sustainable travel options, such as international trains instead of flying. In the European research project TULIPS, our multi-disciplinary project team is studying the ‘Green Passenger Journey’, aiming to encourage people to travel more sustainably and emit less CO2. We will develop, test and demonstrate an integrated digital platform, where travellers can view, plan and book their international trips and choose the most sustainable travel journey. We are looking for a researcher with a background in marketing and consumer behaviour to complement our team and who can help to optimize and test our inter-modal travel platform. Candidates with a background in design with affinity with consumer behaviour are also invited to apply. You will design and conduct experiments with (potential) travellers and collaborate with partners from academia and industry. We want to gain new knowledge and insights about how to design and nudge travellers towards more sustainable mobility behaviour across Europe.

Your tasks will include: 

- Designing and testing different interventions to be implemented in consumer behaviour experiments (online and in a lab setting);

- Gaining insights on how to guide people towards more sustainable travel behaviour;

- Conducting rigorous scientific research in the domain of consumer behaviour, sustainability and design, including literature review, data collection (qualitative and quantitative), analysis, interpretation, and writing scientific publications;

- Assisting our project partners to improve the platform, by informing them on the results of the user-testing and by constantly communicating with them;

Next to research, you may be involved in teaching and thesis supervision, that will be part of your research (max 10% of your time).

You have a Master’s degree (MSc) in a relevant area, preferably in Marketing and Consumer behaviour. If you have a design background and proven affinity with consumer behaviour, you are also invited to apply. A PhD degree is preferred.

You have demonstrable experience with both qualitative and quantitative research methods (e.g., interviews, surveys and consumer behaviour experiments), as well as consumer behaviour and design (e.g., consumer responses to interventions and user-testing).

You have excellent English communication and collaboration skills, and a demonstrated ability to communicate and take initiatives in discussions with multiple stakeholders involved. Having a pro-active attitude and being able to develop ideas independently is important.  

Having a background and experience in sustainability and/or mobility is considered a plus. Preferably you have experience with working in a multi-disciplinary environment (consortium), as you will collaborate with different European partners. This will also provide you a solid network across Europe in the context of sustainable mobility.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. 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 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!

Matching the evolution of people with the speed of the revolution of technology. This is the focus of the Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering (IDE). Delft designers act as a bridge between advances in technology and the needs of people, organisations and society to create products, services and systems with purpose.

IDE is a leader in design research across the application areas of mobility, sustainability and health, as well as its development of design tools and methods. A 350-strong research team and over 2,000 students work together in our inspiring hall, labs and studios.

In close cooperation with industry, the public sector and NGOs we rehearse possible futures in research and education to design for a complex future.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering.