PhD Position on the Dynamics of Long-distance Passenger Transport Systems

Understand. Intervene, Improve. Making sense of long-distance passenger transport in Europe. We should be able to do better than the current patchwork.

Job description
In the past century, long-distance passenger travel has become increasingly common. While bringing many advantages by means of enhanced mobility and connectivity, it also comes at a cost due to the externalities generated, such as the depletion of finite natural resources, noise pollution and its contribution to climate change. There is however a striking discrepancy between the relevance of long-distance travel for emission reduction goals and the lack of knowledge to support its design, planning and policy making.

In this ERC Consolidator Grant project, called Multi-layer, Multi-modal and Multi-class Air and Rail Systems (3MARS), the research team will develop and test models to capture the market relations and dynamics between supply and demand and amongst (air, rail and bus) service providers in response to policy interventions.

Each of the four PhD projects will work on one of the following topics, all of which in relation to long-distance passenger transport systems:

(1) multi-class traveller preferences and behavioural dynamics.

(2) multi-modal and multi-layer network assignment.

(3) (co-)evolutionary network and service design.

(4) market dynamics, pricing and alliances.

(5) supply and demand-management policy interventions.

The outcomes of this research will enable to design, assess and forecast the implications of alternative network developments and policy measures while taking into account how service users as well as service providers adapt and evolve in response to such changes.

Job requirements
We are looking for candidates who are passionate about improving international passenger transport in Europe and have a proven track record in modelling complex systems. This position requires outstanding skills in modeling and working with big datasets. In particular, we look for highly talented and driven candidates.

The successful candidate has:

• An MSc degree in an engineering, computer science, applied mathematics, economics or any other related field.
• Demonstrated competence in optimization, (agent-based) simulation, network science, behavioral modeling, econometrics, game theory, computer science or similar, preferably with experience in transport modeling.
• Programming skills, hands-on experience with one or more languages such as Python.
• Excellent command of written and spoken English.
• The ability and interest in working as part of a research team in a multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural environment, as well as with external stakeholders and in supervising master students.

TU Delft (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 of Civil Engineering and Geosciences
The Faculty of Civil Engineering & Geosciences (CEG) is committed to outstanding international research and education in the field of civil engineering, applied earth sciences, traffic and transport, water technology, and delta technology. Our research feeds into our educational programmes and covers societal challenges such as climate change, energy transition, resource availability, urbanisation and clean water. Our research projects are conducted in close cooperation with a wide range of research institutions. CEG is convinced of the importance of open science and supports its scientists in integrating open science in their research practice. The Faculty of CEG comprises 28 research groups in the following seven departments: Materials Mechanics Management & Design, Engineering Structures, Geoscience and Engineering, Geoscience and Remote Sensing, Transport & Planning, Hydraulic Engineering and Water Management.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Civil Engineering & Geosciences.

Conditions of employment
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 € 2872 per month in the first year to € 3670 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.

Additional information
For more information about this project, see the announcement on this webpage: https://www.tudelft.nl/en/2024/tu-delft/four-erc-consolidator-grants-for-tu-delft-researchers. For more information about this vacancy you can contact Prof. Oded Cats at o.cats@tudelft.nl.

Application procedure
Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 27 January 2025 via the application button and upload the following documents:

• Single-page motivation letter.
• A detailed CV.
• MSc thesis abstract.
• Contact information of two or three referees.
• Two slides pitching your view on one of the PhD project topics described in the ad.

Please highlight in your motivation letter and/or CV examples of projects in which you demonstrate your (transport) network and/or operations research modelling and/or behavioral modelling and/or analytical 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.

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.
• For the final candidates, a knowledge security check will be part of the application procedure. For more information on this check, please consult Chapter 8 of the National Knowledge Security Guidelines. We carry out this check on the basis of legitimate interest.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.

36 - 40 hours per week

Mekelweg 5