PhD Position in VR-Retrofit-4U: Facilitating a Person-Centred Energy Transition (0.8/1.0 FTE)

Do you want to contribute to an inclusive, just person-centred energy transition using immersive narratives? Become an engaged scholar as a social scientist? Then apply for this PhD-position!

Job description
To change the energy transition from a techno-centred approach into a person-centred retrofitting process, requires professional parties to overcome their own divides between the technical, social and care domains. Furthering previous research, the emphasis is on using immersive models as boundary objects and adapting the workflow in retrofit processes, enabling collaborative participation of residents and collaboration between professionals. Immersive visualization of retrofitting measures through VR transforms abstract technical concepts into concrete, lived experiences. This enables people to engage meaningfully in decision-making processes, while fostering trust, transparency, and shared ownership.

The succesful candidate will contribute to Living Labs by conducting interviews with professionals and residents to develop immersive narratives; participate in the LLs to make observations; collect data on tenant satisfaction and will organize and analyse productive interactions between professionals in the workshops that will be organized over time. 

As part of the NWO-KIC DEGO project VR-Retrofit-4U you will join a dynamic research environment within the Design and Construction Management section and collaborate with researchers from the XR-Zone, Computer Schience at TU Delft and AVANS University of Applied sciences, and other practice partners involved in retrofitting processes. 

Job requirements

• A Master's degree in a relevant field., e.g. (Sustainability and) Environmental Psychology, Psychology, Social Sciences;
• Demonstable affinity and strong interest in digital technology, just energy transition, collaborative participation / processes;
• Excellent communication skills in Dutch and in English, both written and verbal. For more information about English requirements, please see https://www.tudelft.nl/onderwijs/opleidingen/phd/admission;
• A curiosity-driven mindset and a passion for doing research using both qualitative and quantitative research methods.

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 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.

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.  

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, offers information on their website to help you prepare your relocation. 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 additional information about the position, please contact Dr. Clarine van Oel via e-mail: c.j.vanoel@tudelft.nl or Dr.ir. Jelle Koolwijk, via j.s.j.koolwijk@tudelft.nl.

For more information about the application procedure, please contact Julia Kreuwel, HR advisor, via e-mail: recruitment-BK@tudelft.nl.  

Application procedure
Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 6 July 2025 via the application button and upload the following documents:

• Curriculum Vitae.
• Two-page motivation letter indicating your research interests and experience.
• Diplomas/degrees including a grade transcript of previous education at Bachelor and Master level (or preliminary grade transcript if still finishing up your MSc).

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.