PhD Position Equity Impacts of Climate Shocks to Infrastructure

1 maand geleden

Delft, Zuid-Holland, Nederland Delft University of Technology Voltijd

Challenge: Climate shocks hit poor households hardest.

Change: Improved quantification of climate shocks to household welfare.

Impact: Develop pro-poor strategies to improve human security
Job description

The department Engineering Systems and Services (ESS) offers a 4-year PhD position on quantifying the equity impacts of climate shocks to infrastructure and transportation systems in the Global South.

It is well documented that poorer households are disproportionately affected by climate-related shocks, either directly via loss of income or indirectly via infrastructure service disruptions, limited access or higher food prices. Climate change can amplify shocks to welfare, especially in climate-vulnerable countries, making it imperative that adaptation efforts are considered pro-poor. Still, there are only few quantitative risk models that capture how climate shocks can cause impacts to household welfare. Existing models often only look at welfare impacts through reductions in income, and are spatially aggregated. Within the context of the Global South, however, welfare impacts to households can also materialise if climate shocks cause disruptions to infrastructure that provide basic human services (e.g., transport/mobility, water, sanitation, energy, education), in particular if disruptions affect the most marginalized. To capture this, a spatially granular model is required that connects households to infrastructure networks and considers the vulnerability and coping capacity of households. Such a new modelling framework will allow designing and prioritizing pro-poor climate adaptation strategies that combine hard (e.g., climate-proofing infrastructure) and soft (e.g., emergency response) interventions.

The aim of this PhD is to better quantify equity impacts of climate shocks to infrastructure systems via a spatial modelling framework. The selected candidate will lead the development of new modelling tools that capture how households rely on the provision of essential goods and infrastructure services for human development on a high spatial resolution. You will analyse how various climate shocks can affect the provision of these services, and consequently the households that depend upon them. This socio-technical modelling approach will help bridge the gap between infrastructure systems modelling and insights derived from the social sciences. The outcome of this PhD is an improved understanding how large-scale climate shocks can cause temporary or chronic impacts to households' welfare via infrastructure service disruptions. This will inform innovative solutions that can help mitigate these impacts.

We seek a candidate who is keen to learn and utilise methods, and work with data, from across disciplines, for instance socio-economic data (e.g., household surveys) and models (e.g., microsimulation models), geospatial modelling techniques, infrastructure and transport network models and climate hazard data. This new spatial modelling framework will be developed for one or more case study regions/countries, preferably in the Sahel, Sub-Saharan Africa or Asia (depending on data availability), with a focus on floods and/or droughts. This could be complemented with other types of shocks affecting households, such as pandemics, conflict, or food crisis.

This PhD position is embedded in the newly established TU Delft Climate Safety and Security (CASS) Centre in The Hague. Within CASS, we pursue an ambitious and extensive programme that considers climate change and stability in an integrative way. You will play a crucial role in the flagship Human Security & Liveable Environment that focuses on analysing the implications of disruptions to material flows and infrastructures on human security. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to work with researchers from across the TU Delft, as well as interact with various international organisations (i.e., multilateral development banks, humanitarian organisations).

Requirements

The potential PhD candidate is expected to have:

A Master's degree (or nearly finished) in Engineering, Economics, Statistics/Mathematics, Data Science, International Development, or a related field (essential).
Experience working with large datasets, models and (geospatial) programming skills (e.g. preferably Python or R) (essential).
Excellent study results and excellent command of English (essential).
Strong motivation to do scientific research into equity aspects of climate change (essential).
A willingness to work in a multidisciplinary research environment, and interest to communicate results to policymakers (essential).
A demonstratable interest in, or knowledge of, integrating economic concepts within quantitative (spatial) modelling frameworks (desirable).
Work experience in the Global South context (desirable).

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.
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 € 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.
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 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.

  • PhD Position in AI-Supported Learning Ecosystem

    2 weken geleden

    Delft, Zuid-Holland, Nederland Delft University of Technology Voltijd

    Job DescriptionTU Delft is a prestigious university known for its strong focus on Artificial Intelligence. The Management in the Built Environment (MBE) Department at TU Delft is dedicated to creating a sustainable built environment that prioritizes the needs of users and stakeholders. MBE specializes in developing and managing buildings, portfolios, and...

  • PhD Position Unraveling Cloud Patterns in the Climate System

    1 dag geleden

    Delft, Zuid-Holland, Nederland Delft University of Technology Voltijd

    Fascinated by clouds? Motivated by tackling complexity in the climate system? Enthusiastic about physics? – Consider joining the MesoClou teamJob descriptionWe invite you to apply for a PhD position on utilizing concepts from theoretical physics in the field of atmospheric cloud research.Clouds are the biggest obstacle to advances in our understanding of...

  • PhD Position in Complex Digital Twins for Infrastructure

    1 maand geleden

    Delft, Zuid-Holland, Nederland Delft University of Technology Voltijd

    Job descriptionDigital Twins are proving to be a key innovation, bringing together insights from real-time data, simulation, and predictive analytics to mirror the complexities of physical assets. The relevance of these digital counterparts is in their capacity to provide a detailed, dynamic view of infrastructure systems, enabling proactive decision-making...

  • PhD Position Coupled Sea Ice

    2 maanden geleden

    Delft, Zuid-Holland, Nederland Delft University of Technology Voltijd

    Challenge: Lack of reliable predictions for sea ice lossChange: Use of innovative models of ocean turbulence and sea ice mechanicsImpact: Better understand sea ice behavior and improve forecasts Job descriptionSea ice is an extensive layer of frozen ocean that plays a crucial role in our climate system. In the last few decades, the global extent of the sea...

  • PhD Position Distributed

    4 weken geleden

    Delft, Zuid-Holland, Nederland Delft University of Technology Voltijd

    Job descriptionWe seek a motivated PhD student to work on a 4-year NWO funded project called DARE (Distributed and Adaptive Radar for Enhanced Sensing and Classification).The goal of this project is to work towards transitioning radar from a conventional stand-alone sensor to an intelligent and spatially distributed network of cooperative nodes. The...

  • PhD Position Distributed

    4 weken geleden

    Delft, Zuid-Holland, Nederland Delft University of Technology Voltijd

    Job descriptionWe seek a motivated PhD student to work on a 4-year NWO funded project called DARE (Distributed and Adaptive Radar for Enhanced Sensing and Classification).The goal of this project is to work towards transitioning radar from a conventional stand-alone sensor to an intelligent and spatially distributed network of cooperative nodes. The...

  • PhD position Quantitative MRI

    4 weken geleden

    Delft, Zuid-Holland, Nederland Delft University of Technology Voltijd

    Job descriptionThe Magnetic Resonance Systems lab (Mars lab) at TU Delft works relentlessly on the advancement of quantitative Magnetic Resonance Imaging. We are presently recruiting a PhD student to pursue their four year doctorate in our lab funded by a prestigious ERC Starting Grant. The successful candidate will join a young and dynamic group in a...

  • PhD position

    4 dagen geleden

    Delft, Zuid-Holland, Nederland Delft University of Technology Voltijd

    BackgroundCellular Agriculture (CA) is a new concept in biotechnology that aims to produce animal protein through bioprocessing. This includes the production of muscle cells and tissue from animal stem cells (rather than from whole animals), as well as the use of precision fermentation for microbial production of animal protein, such as dairy alternatives....

  • PhD Position Airport and Airline Operations for Hydrogen-powered Aircraft

    2 maanden geleden

    Delft, Zuid-Holland, Nederland Delft University of Technology Voltijd

    Challenge: Airport and airline ecosystems are not ready yet for new hydrogen aircraft.Change: Develop mathematical and computational models for airport ground operations for hydrogen-powered aircraft.Job descriptionThe aviation sector is actively investing in the development of new disruptive technology, infrastructures, and operational concepts to achieve...

  • PhD Positions Advanced Space Propulsion Systems

    1 maand geleden

    Delft, Zuid-Holland, Nederland Delft University of Technology Voltijd

    Are you ready to contribute to the future of green, sustainable space propulsion, while working on a truly innovative and visionary project?Job descriptionFor a recently granted EU project, TU Delft will collaborate with other high-level European universities and industrial partners for the development of a bimodal propulsion system (main orbital control...

  • PhD Position Utilizing Runtime Information to Improve Development Processes

    1 maand geleden

    Delft, Zuid-Holland, Nederland Delft University of Technology Voltijd

    How can we use runtime information to improve the development process and make machine learning models better?Job descriptionContext: Runtime information such as metrics, traces, and logs is currently outside the scope of the IDE. It is possible to develop, design, and refactor a system in an IDE, but only a few plugins make it possible to consider the...

  • PhD Position Optimal Exploration of Networks

    1 week geleden

    Delft, Zuid-Holland, Nederland Delft University of Technology Voltijd

    TeaserChallenge: Enhancing the modelling of uncertainties in policing.Change: Harnessing AI to identify and prioritise uncertainties, and predict responses.Impact: Driving police effectiveness in interventions.Job descriptionWhen fighting crime, it is crucial to be able to forecast how actors are going to respond to actions. Whether the police acts on...

  • PhD Position Particle Free Contactless Wafer Handling

    4 dagen geleden

    Delft, Zuid-Holland, Nederland Delft University of Technology Voltijd

    Job descriptionThe fast and accurate handling, transportation, and positioning of thin, sensitive substrates, such as Si-wafers, solar cells, and flat panel display glass panels are all core operations in production and manufacturing systems in high-tech industry, and substrate handling systems can be found everywhere in this industry.Every mechanical...

  • PhD Position Systems and Systems Security

    1 maand geleden

    Delft, Zuid-Holland, Nederland Delft University of Technology Voltijd

    PhD Position Systems and Systems Security.Job descriptionThe Cybersecurity (CYS) group at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EEMCS) invites applications for full-time doctoral candidates in Systems and Systems Security. Successful candidates will develop novel methodologies and systems for increasing the security of...

  • PhD Position Dynamic Modelling of Criminal Power Structures

    2 weken geleden

    Delft, Zuid-Holland, Nederland Delft University of Technology Voltijd

    TeaserChallenge: Developing system dynamics models enabling robust police interventions.Change: Leveraging basic structures to accelerate model development.Impact: Driving long-term police effectiveness at strategic, tactical and operational level.Job descriptionThe complexity, covert nature and constantly changing power structures of organised crime pose a...

  • PhD Position in Quantum Networks

    1 maand geleden

    Delft, Zuid-Holland, Nederland Delft University of Technology Voltijd

    Job descriptionThe vision of a Quantum Internet is to provide fundamentally new internet technology by enabling quantum communication between any two points on earth. Such a Quantum Internet will – in synergy with the 'classical' Internet that we have today - connect quantum processors in order to achieve unparalleled capabilities that are provably...

  • PhD Position Numerical Methods for Stochastic Differential Equations

    4 weken geleden

    Delft, Zuid-Holland, Nederland Delft University of Technology Voltijd

    Job descriptionThe Analysis research group within the Delft Institute of Applied Mathematics at TU Delft is offering a full-time PhD position in the area of Numerical Methods for Stochastic Differential Equations. The PhD candidate will be supervised by Dr. Kristin Kirchner (TU Delft and KTH Royal Institute of Technology Stockholm).The focus of the project...

  • PhD Position Machine Learning on Graphs

    1 maand geleden

    Delft, Zuid-Holland, Nederland Delft University of Technology Voltijd

    We are seeking for a highly-skilled and self-motivated candidate with a strong mathematical background to do a Ph.D. on the fundamental aspects of graph machine learning with applications to renewables.Job descriptionGraphs are playing an ever increasing role in nowadays systems as a flexible tool to model complex systems. In addition, these systems generate...

  • PhD Position Theoretical Biophysics

    1 maand geleden

    Delft, Zuid-Holland, Nederland Delft University of Technology Voltijd

    Job descriptionMy group is interested in biological signal processing, especially in the context of chemical stimuli in gene regulation and development on the one, and macroscopic stimuli (light, touch) on the other hand. We use tools from statistical physics, information theory and non-linear dynamics to understand the how well a particular system responds...

  • PhD Position Scientific Machine Learning for Extreme Fluid Dynamics

    1 maand geleden

    Delft, Zuid-Holland, Nederland Delft University of Technology Voltijd

    Job descriptionClimate change and the race to decarbonize our society is making extreme events in fluids more prevalent. These are rare events where the flow suddenly takes extreme states far from its normal state. Among these, one can cite extreme atmospheric events leading to intense draught, rogue waves capable of capsizing boats, or flashback events in...