PhD Position on Responding to Values and Value Tensions in Transitions in the Built Environment

Want to shape future transitions? Join us in supporting practitioners and policymakers as they navigate real-world, value-based change in the built environment.

PhD research position: Responding to Values and Value Tensions in Transitions in the Built Environment

Job description

This PhD position is part of the NWO-funded AMBITIONS project, a transdisciplinary consortium in the built environment. Together, we explore how value-driven tools can help practitioners and policymakers navigate value tensions that arise at the intersection of multiple transitions. One of the aims of the project is to develop a systemic view of values and map the values and value relationships (conflicts and complementarities) within and between public values articulated in the transitions relevant to the built environment, with an emphasis on the energy transition, the transition to a circular economy and the preventive public health transition.

As part of your research, you will carry out the following research activities:

• Develop a conceptual framework that helps to explicate how policymakers can respond to values and value relationships found at the regional and local level with respect to transitions in the built environment.
• Empirically apply this framework and carry out interviews with key stakeholders in and outside the consortium.
• Do a comparative analysis of policy responses to public values and value conflicts in various transitions in the built environment to identify best practices. The results will be laid down in a policy brief for policymakers.

Your research will be part of Work Package 1 of the AMBITIONS project. This WP focuses on the national, policy-making level of transitions whereas other WPs focus more on the regional and local level. WP 1 aims to understand (1) how values are systematically connected to each other, and (2) how policy makers can identify and respond to public values and value relationships. The focus of your research will be on the second objective. The first objective will be investigated by a postdoc at Utrecht University (UU). We aim for a close collaboration between TU Delft and UU in WP 1. A description of the AMBITIONS project is available on request.

You will join the section Ethics and Philosophy of Technology at the Faculty of Technology, Policy and Management. You will collaborate with researchers at the TU Delft Faculty of Industrial Engineering, Utrecht University, University of Twente, and Avans Hogeschool. Together, you will be part of an active network of leading researchers in Design for Values, the Built Environment, and Transition Studies.

Job requirements

• You have, or are about to receive, a Master's degree in (applied) philosophy, Science and Technology Studies (STS), policy sciences, transition studies or another relevant discipline.
• You have demonstrated affinity with, and expertise in, philosophy (in case you do not have a degree in philosophy).
• You have affinity with technology and values.
• You have good analytical and conceptual skills, and preferably some experience with empirical research.
• You are proficient in English.
• You are able to do independent research and have good writing and publication skills.
• You are willing to collaborate also with the non-scientific partners in the consortium and to contribute to societal impact.

You will be supervised by Prof. dr. ir. Ibo van de Poel (Technical University Delft) and dr. ir. Udo Pesch (Technical University Delft).

About the employer

TU Delft (Delft University of Technology) 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.

Faculty Technology, Policy & 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.

Contact: i.r.vandepoel@tudelft.nl