PhD Researcher Decision Processes and Strategies for Adaptive Reuse of Buildings

Help shape better decisions for adaptive reuse of buildings across Europe. Develop strategies that balance environmental impact, costs, technical performance and circularity.

PhD Researcher Decision Processes and Strategies for Adaptive Reuse of Buildings

Job description

Adaptive reuse of buildings is becoming increasingly important to meet Europe’s housing needs while reducing environmental impact and making better use of existing buildings. Yet deciding whether and how to reuse a building is complex. Multiple stakeholders and criteria need to be considered, while existing buildings and locations impose technical and spatial constraints. At the same time, there is increasing pressure to minimise global warming impacts over the building’s new life cycle.

As a PhD researcher within the Horizon Europe project ReEnsemble, you will investigate how decisions about adaptive reuse are currently made across different European contexts. You will map and analyse existing decision-making processes and strategies using qualitative research methods. Based on your findings, you will develop improved approaches that strengthen the role of Whole Life Cycle Global Warming Potential, Life Cycle Costing, technical performance and circularity in decision-making.

You will test, refine and validate your decision framework together with asset owners and industry stakeholders. Working closely with academic and industry partners across Europe, you will bridge research and practice and help develop approaches that support more informed and sustainable decisions about existing buildings.

You will disseminate your findings through scientific publications, conferences, workshops and engagement with practitioners. This PhD research offers an excellent opportunity to advance both the theory and practice of adaptive reuse while contributing to more sustainable and efficient use of buildings across Europe.

Job requirements

• You hold an MSc in Architecture, Real Estate or a related discipline, or will graduate within three months.
• You have excellent written and spoken English and strong academic writing skills.
• You have an interest in decision-making, adaptive reuse and sustainable building practices.
• You are curious, critical and motivated to conduct research with practical application.
• You are able to organise your research independently and work in a structured way.
• You communicate effectively and enjoy working with stakeholders from different backgrounds.
• You are keen to collaborate in an interdisciplinary and international research team.
• Knowledge of Dutch is an advantage because the research includes case studies and interviews with Dutch practitioners.

TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)

At TU Delft, our people make the difference. With their knowledge and curiosity, our staff provide a high-quality education and conduct pioneering research that extends beyond the campus. You will have the opportunity to take the initiative, work with others, and grow as a professional.

Working at TU Delft means join an international community of professionals and students. Together, we create knowledge, innovations, and solutions that help move the world forward.

Faculty Architecture & the Built Environment

The Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment has a leading role in education and research worldwide. The driving force behind the faculty’s success is its robust research profile combined with the energy and creativity of its student body and academic community. It is buzzing with energy, with four thousand people enthusiastically studying, working, designing, conducting research and acquiring and disseminating knowledge. Our faculty has a strong focus on 'design-oriented research’, which has given it a top position in world rankings.

Staff and students are working to improve the built environment with the help of a broad set of disciplines, including architectural design, urban planning, building technology, social sciences, process management, and geo-information science. The faculty works closely with other faculties, universities, private parties, and the public sector, and has an extensive network in the Netherlands as well as internationally.

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 €3059 - €3881 gross per month, from the first year to the fourth year based on a fulltime contract (38 hours), plus 8% holiday allowance and an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%.

• Hours per week: 36–40.
• FTE: 1.

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.

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.

As part of knowledge security, TU Delft conducts a risk assessment during the recruitment of personnel. The assessment is based on information provided by the candidates themselves, such as their motivation letter and CV, and takes place at the final stages of the selection process. When the outcome of the assessment is negative, the candidate will be informed.