PhD Position in Urban Climate Morphology

We invite applicants to join our international and interdisciplinary team of passionate and ambitious academic professionals at the Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment, TU Delft. One of the world's leading institutes in the field, ranked 3rd in the QS World University by Subject-Ranking. We are looking for a motivated person to strengthen our team at the Section Environmental Technology and Design (ETD), Department of Urbanism, in the 4 TU Project HERITAGE.

HERITAGE (HEat Robustness In relation To AGEing cities) is a research program aiming at the detection, reduction and prevention of heat-stress occurring due to the ageing of built environmental settings and buildings in Dutch cities through socio-technical solutions. This programme is a 4TU initiative connecting the four universities of technology in The Netherlands: the Delft University of Technology, Eindhoven University of Technology, University of Twente and Wageningen University and Research.

The TU Delft team of HERITAGE is seeking a highly motivated and talented candidate for an interdisciplinary PhD position focussing on the relationship between urban form and outdoor and indoor heat in the context of climate change. We specifically welcome applications from candidates with an interest and experience in conducting data-driven research and linking spatial analysis at different scales.

You will be involved in HERITAGE activities related to work package 4 which aims to i) develop clustering classification methods to identify building and context types based on key form parameters that influence outdoor and indoor temperatures; ii) assess climate performance of morphological types by using climate simulations and on-site measurements

As a PhD candidate, your key responsibilities will be to:

• In collaboration with the promotor team, develop within the first year a GO/No Go report describing the detailed PhD proposal and the strategy for completion within the foreseen 4 years.
• Conduct systematic literature reviews to gain an in-depth understanding of relevant theories, concepts, and methodologies in urban climatology;
• Collect and analyse quantitative data to examine the relationships between local climate types and microclimate patterns;
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary research teams to develop innovative climate data collection and modelling strategies.
• Publish research findings in reputable peer-reviewed journals and present results at international conferences and workshops.
• Contribute to the teaching and supervision activities of the Urbanism Department (10% in year 2 and 3).
• Follow the Doctoral Education Skills Training Programme offered by the Graduate School (45 ECTS credits)

The section of Environmental Technology and Design (ETD) contributes to inter- and transdisciplinary, context-driven and problem/solution-focused research and education for the sake of a better environment. It involves a collaborative design and engineering approach, with social- and environmental-based methods and techniques as operative instruments, as well as the development and application of advanced urban data science and geospatial information technologies to support this primary aim. Research and education blend environmental technology, urban ecology, citizen participation and environmental behaviour at different scales. There is a strong emphasis on the interaction of these fields in terms of theories, methods and techniques, as well as their application via concepts, strategies and spatial interventions, as a significant part of ETD's research portfolio concerns applied science for and often with public and private partners.

• A Master's degree in Environmental Studies, Urbanism, Geography, Climate Science or a comparable domain;
• Clear affinity with and preferably experience in interdisciplinary research;
• Strong background and/or strong interest in urban spatial morphology;
• Proficiency in quantitative statistical analytic methods, modeling, and relevant data analysis software (e.g. R, ArcGIS, QGIS)
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English;
• The ability to work in a team, take initiative, be result-oriented, organized, and creative; good people/communication skills

Doing a PhD at TU Delft requires English proficiency at a certain level to ensure that the candidate is able to communicate and interact well, participate in English-taught Doctoral Education courses, and write scientific articles and a final thesis. For more details please check the Graduate Schools Admission Requirements.

Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1,5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months. Followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2,5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from € 2770 per month in the first year to € 3539 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 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!

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

Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply before 5 November 2023 via the application button, your application should include:

• Curriculum vitae.
• Description of your scientific interests and plans (1-2 pages).

Please note:

• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
• A pre-Employment screening can be part of the selection procedure.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.