PhD Transformative Law and Policy to Accelerate Sustainability Transitions

Are you keen to contribute to accelerating sustainability transitions through regulatory and policy innovation and learning? Enjoying transdisciplinary action research?
 

Job Description

The PhD position is part of an interdisciplinary team of 3 PhD researchers, one post doc and two senior researchers in the NWO EXTRA-project. Your role will be to synthesize existing research on regulatory and policy innovations that contribute to sustainability transitions in the area of renewable energy, circularity and biodiversity. You will also analyze and co-design regulatory and policy innovations together with societal partners that they are trying out in their experimental environments. You wil particularly aim to gain isnights on the ways in which polic and regulatory innovations are and can be anchored in current policy and regulations.

The project ‘From EXperiment to sustainable change: TRAnsformative methodologies for Innovation and learning’  (EXTRA) seeks to overcome a persistent “pilot paradox”. In this paradox, much experimentation takes place but long-term systemic impact remains difficult. Researchers together with all sorts of change makers will synthesise existing knowledge on how to mainstream, upscale, spread, broaden and deepen developed innovations. In this PhD position you will be employed at the Multi Actor Systems Department and co-supervised by the Rotterdam School of Law. 

Job Requirements

• Masters degree in public administration, law, political science or related fields
• Innovative thinker with a problem-solving mindset.
• Strong communication and teamwork abilities.
• Reliable, independent, and organized, with a commitment to meeting deadlines.
• Language Proficiency: Fluency in Dutch and English (both C1 level). Please see https://www.tudelft.nl/onderwijs/opleidingen/phd/admission for more information about the admission requirements.

TU Delft

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 and 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 

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 vacancy, please contact prof.dr. Tamara Metze via T.A.P.Metze@tudelft.nl. For more information about the application procedure, please contact recruitment-tbm@tudelft.nl.

Application procedure

Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 11 May 2025 via the application button and upload the following documents:

•  Curriculum Vitae (CV).
• Motivation letter indicating your research interests and experience.
• One-page proposal with a rough description how you will approach the presented problem.
• Diplomas/degrees including a grade transcript of previous education at Bachelor and Master level (or preliminary grade transcript if still finishing up your MSc). 

Save the date for job interviews: May 21st 9:00-13:00hs.

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.
• A knowledge security check will be part of the selection procedure (for details page 45: national knowledge security guidelines).
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.