PhD Position on Assessing Private Climate Change Adaptation Effectiveness and Limits

Join our TU Delft team to contribute to policy-relevant research on climate change adaptation in a vibrant European-wide team   

Job description 

Background:

Job description:

Over the 4-year trajectory, the successful candidate will conduct impact-focused research bridging empirical survey data with advanced computational modeling. Your main responsibilities will be shared between two main research activities (approximately 70%-30%):

1. Large-Scale Survey Development & Data Analysis for Ex-Post Assessment: Develop and deploy a structured household survey to evaluate the (perceived) effectiveness of past and ongoing private adaptation across 3 European countries. Depending on the case, we will focus on adaptation to key climate-induced hazards: heatwaves, wildfires, droughts, floods, and sea level rise. Relying on the existing expertise in our team and state-of-the art surveys, the PhD student will lead the development of the household survey and analyze data to assess the conditions for "soft limits" (behavioral, economic, social, institutional) that hinder private adaptation. The goal is to elicit empirical evidence on the adaptation constraints such as income differentials, risk awareness, self-efficacy, social norms, and self-perceived vulnerability. Potential collaboration: you will get an opportunity to work closely with a sister institution in Italy, exchanging insights and questions with their team developing parallel surveys for firms.

Job requirements 

We are looking for a motivated and collaborative researcher. The ideal candidate possesses:

• A Master’s degree in Environmental Economics, Psychology, Complex Systems, Engineering & Policy Analysis, or a related field;
• Experience with data analysis and statistical methods;
• A strong interest in developing, conducting, and analyzing surveys;
• Experience with Agent-Based Modeling (ABM) or at least programming skills in a scientific language (Python, Julia, etc.);
• Domain interest in climate change impacts, climate adaptation or in general in coupled social–environmental systems is an advantage;
• Teamwork and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively in an international, multidisciplinary research project;
• Fluent written and spoken English.

TU Delft (Delft University of Technology) 

Working at TU Delft means contributing to solutions that really make a difference. 

For over 180 years, we have been training engineers who make an impact worldwide in companies, government bodies, or as entrepreneurs. Our alumni turn knowledge into concrete solutions for the challenges of today and tomorrow. These challenges are changing rapidly. That is why we focus on themes such as energy, climate, digitalisation, artificial intelligence (AI), and smart mobility every day. Our education and research are directly aligned with what society needs now and in the future. 

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 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. 

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Technology, Policy and Management. 

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%.  

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.  

Additional information

If you have specific content questions about this PhD project, please email Prof. Dr. T. Filatova (t.filatova@tudelft.nl). Do NOT send your applications by email. Please do not email to ask if your profile is a good match; this is up to the candidates to decide.

Application procedure
Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 31 August 2026 via the application button and upload the following documents:

Please only use the online system to apply; applications sent by email will not be considered. Please write you motivation letter yourself; documents generated with ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude or other LLMs will not be considered. 

You can address your application to Tatiana Filatova.

We will contact shortlisted candidates for a two-stage interview process. First round interviews will be held in September. 

If applicants are selected for an interview, they will be asked to provide the contact details of at least two referees, with their consent.

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. 

#EUfunded This is an EU funded project, named ADELE, with project number 10126683, within the Horizon program.

Please note:

• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
• As part of knowledge security, TU Delft conducts a risk assessment during the recruitment of personnel. We do this, among other things, to prevent the unwanted transfer of sensitive knowledge and technology. 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. The processing of personal data in the context of the risk assessment is carried out on the legal basis of the GDPR: performing a public task in the public interest. You can find more information about this assessment on our website about knowledge security.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.

Faculty/Department:  Faculty of Technology, Policy & Management

Salary range:  €3059 - €3881

Hours per week:  32-40

FTE:  1,0

Submission is possible until:  31 Aug 2026

ID job:  3624

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