Assistant Professor in Environmental Psychology and Simulation

Climate change won’t wait—join TU Delft as Assistant Professor to advance cutting-edge research in environmental psychology and simulation.

Job description

TU Delft launched an extensive Climate Action Programme, focusing not only on additional investments in research and education but also improving the sustainability of the TU Delft campus. For the next ten years TU Delft will allocate 22 million euro to set up and further shape this extensive programme. The TU Delft vision on Climate Action is deeply founded in preceding decades of university wide climate action research. The goal of the Climate Action research programme is to build on current strengths and identify the areas where there is a need to strengthen our capacities to keep up our (inter)national reputation as climate action university.

Environmental Psychology and Simulation

Climate action demands drastic behavioural and social changes for a variety of actors. Success of technological interventions climate change mitigation and adaptation policies critically depends on our understanding of drivers of citizens’ behavior, including psychological biases, individual preferences, and social influence. We welcome an Assistant Professor with a passion to integrate and advance behavioural insights for effective climate policy design, communication and compliance concerning climate change mitigation and adaptation through (computational) modelling and empirical analysis.
Challenges in this domain require a rigorous approach and a development of novel methods, including but not limited to:

• Improvement of our understanding of psychological, cultural and social factors driving the behavior of involved actors. This involves a selection, integration and advancement of appropriate theories from environmental psychology and decision-making about climate-relevant behavior and behavioral change;
• Quantification of behavioral change implications for large systems (communities, cities, regions, countries), emerging from many interacting actions of individuals, organizations and governments. To capture behavioral patterns in logical models may require formalization and (computational) modelling of decision-making processes regarding climate change mitigation and adaptation;
• Use of behavioral insights for effective (mass) policies and technologies, taking the individual as well as the community level into consideration.

As an academic career tracker, you will inspire colleagues and students through research and education, both in courses (existing and to be developed) and project-oriented education. You are expected to acquire funding for new research projects from different national and international funding schemes and contribute to organizational tasks and valorization of your work.

Job requirements

• A PhD degree in Environmental Psychology, Computational Social Science, Decision Science, Complex Systems Engineering & Management or Industrial Ecology.
• Ability and motivation to establish own research direction and develop novel approaches for the integration of psychological theories, perspectives, and methods to modelling and simulation of climate actions.
• A track record demonstrating experience with qualitative and quantitative research methods in the context of climate action, evidenced by a strong publication list.
• Domain knowledge in the fields related to climate action, e.g. climate policy, energy transition, and/or climate adaptation is an asset.
• Proven ability to work well within a multidisciplinary team.
• Excellent networking, collaboration and communication skills.  

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 Technology, Policy & Management

The Faculty of TPM provides an important contribution to solving complex technical-social issues, such as energy transition, mobility, digitalisation, water management and (cyber) security. TPM does this with its excellent education and research at the intersection of technology, society and policy. We combine insights from both engineering and social sciences as well as the humanities. TPM develops robust models and designs, is internationally oriented and has an extensive network of knowledge institutions, companies, social organisations and governments.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Technology, Policy and Management.

Conditions of employment

This position is offered as an Academic Career Track position. During the Academic Career Track, we expect you to grow towards an Associate Professor position within a maximum of eight years, for which a position will be available. With other Academic Career Track colleagues, you will participate in the Academic Career Track Development program, where you are offered ample opportunities to develop yourself in the areas of Education, Research, Societal Impact & Innovation, and Leadership & Organisation. You will regularly discuss your development and results with senior staff based on a personalized development plan and performance criteria agreed upon at the start of your Academic Career Track.

Inspiring, excellent education is our central aim. We expect you to obtain a University Teaching Qualification (UTQ) within three years if you have less than five years of teaching experience. This is provided by the TU Delft UTQ programme.

TU Delft sets high standards for the English competency of the teaching staff. The TU Delft offers training to improve English competency. If you do not speak Dutch, we offer courses to learn the Dutch language within three years.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (salary indication for assistant professor: €4728 - €6433). The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, a discount on health insurance and sport memberships, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.

Will you need to relocate to the Netherlands for this job? TU Delft is committed to make your move as smooth as possible! The HR unit, Coming to Delft Service, provides information and personal one-on-one guidance to help you prepare your relocation, and to find housing and schools for children (if applicable). In addition, Coming to Delft Service organises events to help you settle in the Netherlands, and expand your (social) network in Delft. A Dual Career Programme is available to support your accompanying partner with their job search in the Netherlands. 

Additional information
For more information about this vacancy, please contact Dr. ir. E.J.L. (Emile) Chappin (e.j.l.chappin@tudelft.nl) .

Application procedure
Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 31 October 2025 via the application button and upload the following documents:

• CV
• Motivational letter

You can address your application to Emile Chappin.

Please note:

• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post. 
• As part of knowledge security, TU Delft conducts a risk assessment during the recruitment of personnel. We do this, among other things, to prevent the unwanted transfer of sensitive knowledge and technology. The assessment is based on information provided by the candidates themselves, such as their motivation letter and CV, and takes place at the final stages of the selection process. When the outcome of the assessment is negative, the candidate will be informed. The processing of personal data in the context of the risk assessment is carried out on the legal basis of the GDPR: performing a public task in the public interest. You can find more information about this assessment on our website about knowledge security.
•  Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.