Postdoc 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.

This post-doc researcher position will involve the two following main tasks:

• Developing a multi-modal and mult-layer network assignment model for long-distance passenger transport accounting for its uniqe characteristics.
• Setting up an integrated data and simulation platform to support provide a solid software foundation for the research team to develop tools to analyse, design and evaluate, long-distance passenger transport services and policies.

This position is embedded in the 3MARS project and will be performed in collboration with several PhD projects, team members and stakeholders.

The outcomes of this project 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 PhD 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.
• Advanced 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 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 

• Duration of contract is 21 months.
• A job of 38-40 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. 

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.

Apply via the application button and submit the following

1. single-page motivation letter;
2. a detailed CV;
3. contact information of two or three referees;
4. two slides pitching your view on the research topic.

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.

You can address your application to Prof. Oded Cats.

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.