PhD Position on Understanding the Dynamics of Interdependent Infrastructure Systems

20 Jan 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

Delft University of Technology (TU Delft)

Research Field

Technology

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

Netherlands

Application Deadline

28 Feb 2024 - 22:59 (UTC)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Not Applicable

Hours Per Week

40.0

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

Infrastructure systems (such as the distribution and transmission grids for electricity, transport systems, and water distribution networks) are the backbone of societies, playing an essential role in supporting our daily activities. These infrastructure systems are highly complex, large-scale socio-technical systems, spanning many temporal, spatial, and organizational scales. They are embedded in, intertwined with and co-dependent on many different social systems.

Due to systemic challenges facing the infrastructure systems, for example by the energy transition, climate change or demographic and technological changes, there is an increased focus on understanding the dynamics of coupled infrastructure systems. With the rising complexity of infrastructure systems, their vulnerability to hazards, including those stemming from climate change and energy transitions, increases.

Decision-makers responsible for the long-term planning and improving the resilience of integrated infrastructure systems rely on the existing and increasingly outdated approaches, which are unable to deal with the deep uncertainty these systems face.

Therefore, we need new innovative (AI/ML-based) planning and development methods to evaluate and improve the resilience of our infrastructure so that we can effectively respond to the continuously changing (physical and social) environment. A deep understanding of integrated infrastructure systems dynamics is essential for the development of these innovative methods, which is a significant scientific challenge.

This PhD position focuses on the conceptualization and modeling of integrated infrastructure systems. We seek to answer questions such as: What are the unique properties and traits of infrastructure systems that contribute to their interdependence? How can we characterize the interactions between infrastructure systems? What are suitable (multi-)modeling approaches to model this interaction and what is the most relevant resolution and scale to capture these dynamics?

This PhD position in what can be termed “Complex Systems Analysis and Modelling” provides a unique opportunity to contribute to a critical and transformative field that emphasizes the resilience of our communities and vital infrastructure systems. As a part of our highly multidisciplinary team, your research will be instrumental in advancing our understanding of complex infrastructure systems dynamics and help develop new conceptual and modeling foundations for further impactful research.

Requirements
Specific Requirements

The position is open to candidates with a master’s degree in fields relevant to the focus of the research. These may include but are not limited to Modelling and Simulation, Computer/Data Science (including machine learning and artificial intelligence), Mathematics, Complex Systems, Systems Engineering, and Operations Research. We explicitly encourage candidates with another background who have an affinity with the topic to apply.

• Prior programming and modelling experience (preferably in Python) is highly desirable for this position, as is familiarity with (modeling of) concepts such as resilience, interdependence, adaptability, and recovery within infrastructure systems.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing across disciplines is an important asset.
• We are looking for an open-minded team player who can balance independence and self-drive with being a part of a closely-knit team effort.

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 .

Additional Information
Benefits

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.

Selection process

Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 28 February 2024 via the application button and upload:

• Motivation letter.
• Academic CV.
• Your MSc thesis or a paper you wrote based on your MSc research. If neither are available in English, include a 1-page abstract of your MSc thesis written in English.
• Transcripts from your BSc and MSc studies.

Notes:

• A pre-employment screening can be part of the selection procedure.

• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.

• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.

For information about the application procedure, please send an e-mail to [email protected] .

Additional comments

For more information about this vacancy, please contact dr. Omar Kammouh via [email protected] .

Website for additional job details

https://www.academictransfer.com/336832/

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Delft University of Technology

Country

Netherlands

City

Delft

Postal Code

2628 CD

Street

Mekelweg 2

Geofield

Where to apply

Website

https://www.academictransfer.com/en/336832/phd-position-on-understanding-the-dy…

Contact

City

Delft

Website

http://www.tudelft.nl/

Street

Mekelweg 2

Postal Code

2628 CD

STATUS: EXPIRED