PhD Position Advancing Multimodal and Automated Urban Logistics through Data Science and Optimization

Advance urban logistics! Investigate inland waterway transport's potential using data science and optimization in this pivotal role for our PhD position.

This position is related to the Horizon Europe-funded project called metaCCAZE that accelerates the user-centered deployment of smart systems and services that combine electric automated and connected mobility and related infrastructure across European cities.

The city of Amsterdam supports the cocreation activities in addition to implementing significant interventions to reduce private cars and heavy-duty vehicles accessibility in designated areas by closing specific roads like the IJtunnel, roads next to the canals, or peri- and semi-urban streets.

In this PhD project, we focus on optimizing, piloting, and assessing, logistical innovations that support radical policies/measures (e.g., infrastructural interventions, design of novel services, and emerging technologies in the current urban transport landscape) aimed at meeting climate objectives in Amsterdam. Through careful analysis of pilot impacts in a digital twin environment, we aim to develop methods to scale up these interventions and policies that can be transferred to the follower cities of the project. The focus of this PhD project is to efficiently design and operationalize multi-modal urban logistics including in-land waterways and micro-delivery services. In such integrated systems, we need to tackle uncertainties associated with electrification and automation of the fleet which provides exciting research opportunities.

The methodological tools that will be used to conduct the above research objectives include: operations research (robust and stochastic optimization) combined with AI methods, behavioral models (choice-based optimization), and simulation.

The Department of Transport & Planning (T&P) of Delft University of Technology is coordinating this project. T&P is composed of 11 research labs addressing various transport challenges. The researcher will be associated with the SUM Lab (SUM Lab (tudelft.nl)) and the hEAT Lab (hEAT lab (tudelft.nl)).

• A Master's degree in a relevant field, i.e. Operations research, Transportation, Mathematics, Applied mathematics or Computer science.
• Solid knowledge of data science and combinatorial optimization (mathematical modelling, algorithms, heuristics, metaheuristics).
• Strong programming skills.
• Ability to work both in a project team, but also independently and take leadership and responsibility for research tasks.
• Willingness and ability to communicate with other scientific partners, companies, and cities.
• Willingness to contribute to a stimulating research environment and interactions with project partners and stakeholders
• A passion for scientific research in close cooperation with practice.
• Excellent communication skills in English, both written and oral.

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 .

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 € 2770 per month in the first year to € 3539 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.

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!

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.

For more information about this vacancy, please contact Dr. Shadi Sharif Azadeh, email: [email protected] .

Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 3 March 2024 via the application button and upload your motivation and CV.

• 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.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.