An innovation ecosystem is currently being developed for the industrial replacement and renovation of bridges in the Netherlands. This is done with the help of a large government incentive fund, called the National Growth Fund and the Province of North Holland. In an approved programme, called Future-proof Living Environment, a large number of contractors, clients, engineering firms, suppliers and knowledge institutions unite in a joint mission to make the replacement task manageable and circular in a programmatic and industrial way. In addition, European legislation requires the infrastructure sector to keep transparent records of the sustainability and circularity of their assets.

Therefore, it is important that the government's circular goals can be achieved with the help of factual evidence. This requires a streamlined process for an industrial chain that is able to focus on high-quality reuse. Since the evidence must actually be useful in promoting reuse, it is not sufficient to rely solely on composite indices or indicators. Therefore, this research focuses on developing a new principle of "evidence-based circularity". This means that the burden of proof of specific measurements must be transparent and relatable. As a result, this evidence can be traced back to the proposed circular measures.

To achieve this, you will develop a model that can directly capture the impact of proposed circular measures. Such as, for example, extending the lifespan and reusing of elements. These measures include digital techniques (especially trading platform, materials passport, certifications, and blockchain technology), industrial techniques (especially Industrial Flexible and Demountable (IFD) design and construction, off-site production, on-site assembly, modularity) and programmatic techniques (especially joint purchasing, project bundling).

Development of such a model prerequires in-depth understanding of, on the one hand, the information needs of key stakeholders in circular construction and, on the other hand, the potentials of digital technologies to provide such information.

Within the research, standards for measuring circularity are applied in an integrated way to activities in the industrial chain. The inventory of these standards is organised as part of a living lab. The research focuses on feeding the model with this inventory and then actually carrying out the measurement and monitoring activities in the living lab.

The model should quantify inputs (materials), processes (the impact of physical activities between parties in a chain) and output in terms of Environmental Cost Indicator (ECI) and circularity. This offers, for example, opportunities to promote collaborations aimed at demonstrable circularity. This project requires a researcher who can start quickly and can make good use of and develop his/her network.

As a postdoc you will have the following main activities:

1. Map information needs and availabilities across circularity measures.
2. Development of a model-based method for data-driven assessment of reusability and circularity of assets by extending the lifespan of elements.
3. Identifying indicators of circularity, and drawing up criteria for assessing the burden of proof of the indicators.
4. Applying your model in living labs (cases where circular interventions are applied at the meso and micro level).

We look for the following competencies in the chosen candidate:

• A PhD in the field of Industrial ecology, Construction Management and Engineering, Management in the Built Environment, Environmental Engineering, Civil Engineering, or related fields.
• Good Dutch language skills are an advantage.
• Excellent English proficiency in reading and writing.
• Strong skills in mixed method approach, life cycle assessment.
• Energetic and decisive in the collaboration with partners in the field.
• Communicative and enterprising, independent critical thinker and also the ability to work in an interdisciplinary research team.
• Willing to take the lead in research and involve research and practice partners in knowledge development and dissemination.

Fixed-term contract: 2 years.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (based on scale 10: € 3.226,00 - € 5.090,00 per month gross). A two year contract is offered for a position of 38-40 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.

From 1 September next, a salary increase of 3.7% applies due to a Collective Agreement amendment, followed by an additional 1% increase on 1 January 2025. In addition, most employees employed on 1 September 2024 will receive a one-off payment of €300 gross based on full-time employment.

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.