Are Dutch agricultural technologies the new Superdutch? Automated indoor environments conceived in The Netherlands diffuse globally as the mirror to what the future of food production could look like. History has shown that technological innovations in agriculture have fundamentally changed the structure of the built environment. It can therefore be assumed that the application of automation and AI technologies in this sector will also transform cities and landscapes. This project aims to investigate how the digitization of these processes impact the spatial organization of landscapes and the lives of many, and the dilemmas and opportunities for design and sustainable urbanization that arise.

You will systematically investigate the spatial implications of automation and AI technologies used in agriculture across scales and interfaces between human and machine, from the territory to the buildings and people within. Following a historical study of technologically-driven transformations of the Dutch agricultural landscape, and the analysis of selected automated environments and closed systems—from plantation models to space research experiments—you will develop three case studies of contemporary data-driven agriculture in The Netherlands. The case studies will focus on the spatial and cultural interplay of architecture, landscape, and digital infrastructure. For that, you will originally integrate architectural, media and environmental history research, with open-source intelligence methodologies, fieldwork, and analytical drawing and mapping. The contribution of this research will be threefold: 1) anticipate the implications for sustainable urbanization of the digital transition in productive environments; 2) develop transdisciplinary methods to investigate the cultural and ecological significance of the digitization of the environment; and 3) make a fundamental step towards the still unwritten architectural history of artificial intelligence.

You will be part of the Section of Urban Design in the department of Urbanism at the Faculty of Architecture and the Built environment. The Section follows a multidisciplinary approach in research and design, with a focus on challenges of urbanisation in the context of larger transformative processes such as climate change, demography and technological change. In particular, your PhD project will be embedded in a cooperation between the research on work landscapes of Assistant Professor Dr. Víctor Muñoz Sanz at the Section of Urban Design, with that of Prof. Dr. Georg Vrachliotis at the Theory of Architecture and Digital Culture Group, in the Department of Architecture. They will be your supervisory team. At TU Delft, you will be part of community that fosters cross-fertilization between talents with different expertise and disciplines. You will be encouraged to connect to the TU Delft Robotics Institute, TU Delft AI Labs, and the Health and Technology cluster of the Delft-Erasmus Convergence.

• An MSc degree in architecture, urbanism, landscape architecture, or another relevant spatially aware discipline (e.g. architecture history, urban studies, geography, science and technology studies;
• A demonstrable affinity and strong interest in architecture and urbanism at the intersection of technology and ecology;
• A promising track record as a researcher, demonstrable by publications, conference presentations, or other type of relevant work;
• Experience in conducting fieldwork and mixed methods research;
• Excellent analytical drawing and visualization skills, including proficient use of 3D and GIS software;
• The ability to work in a team, take initiative, be result oriented, organized and creative;
• Excellent command of verbal and written English. Some knowledge of Dutch language, or willingness to learn it is a plus.

Fixed-term contract: 4 years.

TU Delft offers PhD-candidates a 4-year contract, with an official go/no go progress assessment after one year. Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from € 2395 per month in the first year to € 3061 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 and aim to be as inclusive as possible (see our Code of Conduct). Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale.

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.