Assistant Professor in Environmental Psychology and Simulation

Climate change won’t wait—join TU Delft as Assistant Professor to advance cutting-edge research in environmental psychology and simulation.

Job Description

TU Delft has launched an extensive Climate Action Programme, focusing on additional investments in research and education as well as improving the sustainability of the TU Delft campus. Over the next ten years, TU Delft will allocate 22 million euros to further shape this ambitious programme, building on decades of university-wide climate action research. The goal is to strengthen our capacities and maintain our (inter)national reputation as a leading climate action university.

Environmental Psychology and Simulation

Climate action requires drastic behavioural and social changes from a variety of actors. The success of technological interventions, climate change mitigation, and adaptation policies critically depends on understanding the drivers of citizens’ behavior, including psychological biases, individual preferences, and social influence. We are seeking an Assistant Professor passionate about integrating and advancing behavioural insights for effective climate policy design, communication, and compliance regarding climate change mitigation and adaptation, using (computational) modelling and empirical analysis.

Challenges in this domain require a rigorous approach and the development of novel methods, including but not limited to:

• Improving our understanding of psychological, cultural, and social factors driving the behavior of involved actors. This involves selecting, integrating, and advancing appropriate theories from environmental psychology and decision-making about climate-relevant behavior and behavioral change.
• Quantifying behavioral change implications for large systems (communities, cities, regions, countries), emerging from the interactions of individuals, organizations, and governments. Capturing behavioral patterns in logical models may require formalization and (computational) modelling of decision-making processes regarding climate change mitigation and adaptation.
• Using behavioral insights for effective (mass) policies and technologies, considering both individual and community levels.

As an academic career tracker, you will inspire colleagues and students through research and education, both in existing and newly developed courses and project-oriented education. You are expected to acquire funding for new research projects from various national and international funding schemes and contribute to organizational tasks and the valorization of your work.

Job Requirements

• A PhD degree in Environmental Psychology, Computational Social Science, Decision Science, Complex Systems Engineering & Management, or Industrial Ecology.
• Ability and motivation to establish your own research direction and develop novel approaches for integrating psychological theories, perspectives, and methods into the modelling and simulation of climate actions.
• A track record demonstrating experience with qualitative and quantitative research methods in the context of climate action, evidenced by a strong publication list.
• Domain knowledge in fields related to climate action, such as climate policy, energy transition, and/or climate adaptation, is an asset.
• Proven ability to work well within a multidisciplinary team.
• Excellent networking, collaboration, and communication skills.

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.

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 achieves this through excellent education and research at the intersection of technology, society, and policy, combining insights from engineering, social sciences, and the humanities. TPM develops robust models and designs, is internationally oriented, and has an extensive network of knowledge institutions, companies, social organisations, and governments.

Conditions of Employment

This position is offered as an Academic Career Track position. During the Academic Career Track, you are expected to grow towards an Associate Professor position within a maximum of eight years, for which a position will be available. Alongside other Academic Career Track colleagues, you will participate in the Academic Career Track Development program, offering ample opportunities to develop yourself in Education, Research, Societal Impact & Innovation, and Leadership & Organisation. You will regularly discuss your development and results with senior staff based on a personalized development plan and performance criteria agreed upon at the start of your Academic Career Track.

Inspiring, excellent education is our central aim. We expect you to obtain a University Teaching Qualification (UTQ) within three years if you have less than five years of teaching experience, provided by the TU Delft UTQ programme.

TU Delft sets high standards for the English competency of the teaching staff and offers training to improve English competency. If you do not speak Dutch, we offer courses to learn the Dutch language within three years.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (salary indication for assistant professor: €4728 - €6433). TU Delft offers a customizable compensation package, a discount on health insurance and sport memberships, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.

If you need to relocate to the Netherlands for this job, TU Delft is committed to making your move as smooth as possible. The HR unit, Coming to Delft Service, provides information and personal one-on-one guidance to help you prepare your relocation, and to find housing and schools for children (if applicable). Coming to Delft Service also organizes 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.

Additional information
For more information about this vacancy, please contact Dr. ir. E.J.L. (Emile) Chappin (e.j.l.chappin@tudelft.nl).