Postdoc Traffic Management for Automatic Train Operation

Job description 

Digitalisation and automation provide high potential for emerging technologies to increase performance and reduce costs of railway transport, and thus enhance the strength of railways as major player in  sustainable mobility. In particular, Automatic Train Operation (ATO) is expected to contribute to increased capacity, punctuality and energy savings in mainline railways. However, ATO performance depends on the time allowances in the timetable and the interaction with a traffic management system (TMS) that may adjust the timetable considering disturbances. The TMS is responsible for keeping a real-time traffic plan at the network level that allows conflict-free route setting and train operations, while ATO regulates the trains by generating feasible and energy-efficient speed profiles over corridors within the allowances contained in the real-time traffic plan. The TMS-ATO interaction should lead to an efficient control of railway operations where route setting and train operations are well-aligned and compatible with the constraints of railway signalling.

In this project you will develop methods and algorithms to achieve efficient interaction between TMS and ATO for optimised railway operations. In particular, (1) you will develop models and algorithms to dynamically optimize a real-time traffic plan for given disturbances and feedback from ATO status reports considering multiple objectives of capacity, punctuality and energy consumption. (2) You will develop methods to optimally coordinate ATO trains over interacting corridors. (3) You will assess the performance of the TMS-ATO interaction in a closed-loop microscopic railway simulation environment.

This Postdoc research will use mathematical optimization, control and simulation in a railway context. The research is funded by the Dutch railway infrastructure manager ProRail and will be carried out in the Digital Rail Traffic Lab of the Department of Transport and Planning at Delft University of Technology under the supervision of Prof. Rob Goverde and Dr. Egidio Quaglietta in close collaboration with ProRail. 

Job requirements

You are a highly motivated and enthusiastic researcher (F/M) with the ambition to conduct high-quality research. You are highly innovative and enjoy team work. You are reliable, independent, and organized in meeting deliverable deadlines. You have excellent communication and collaboration skills. In addition,

• You have a PhD degree in Computer science, Operations Research, Control, Transport Engineering or a related field (with a strong background in optimization and mathematical modelling).
• You have strong skills in programming and optimization software.
• You are familiar with the area of railway operations research.
• You have a passion for scientific research in close cooperation with practice.
• You have an excellent command of English.
• Mastering the Dutch language is an advantage.

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 

• Duration of contract is 1,5 years.
• A job of 36-40 hours per week. 

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. 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

If you would like more information about this vacancy or the selection procedure, please contact Prof. Rob Goverde, via r.m.p.goverde@tudelft.nl.

Application procedure

Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 17 July 2025 via the application button and upload the following documents:

• CV
• Motivational letter

You can address your application to Prof. Rob Goverde.

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.