项目介绍

2025年5月15日

Come join our team as PhD candidate to engage in multi-disciplinary research on cutting-edge technologies for port sustainability.

Job description

Ships burn enormous amounts of fuel to reach their destination as quickly as possible, only to then wait for permission to enter the port. This practice contributes to global emissions equivalent to the annual CO2 output of the entire Netherlands. To address this challenge, the PortCall.Zero program (a €4 million NWO-funded initiative) aims to make port operations more efficient and sustainable through smart, coordinated decision-making across the entire port call process: from arrival and (un)loading to maintenance, refueling, and departure.

This PhD position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research in digital port management, optimization, and AI-driven decision-making. In this project you will work on developing a virtual port call environment by leveraging digital technologies to manage, update, and streamline vessel arrival, departure, and berthing. Your work will contribute to zero-emission goals by optimizing port operations and reducing vessel waiting times. This project brings together 16 collaborative partners, including Erasmus University Rotterdam, Leiden University, the Port of Rotterdam, SmartPort, and Maersk- offering rich opportunities to expand your academic and industrial networks.

You will join the department of Transport and Planning in the Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences. We offer an international research environment with access to state-of-the-art facilities and industry collaborations. You will work closely with project partners, including academic institutions, industry stakeholders, and policymakers, to ensure the research has practical applications and contributes to a broader picture to achieve resilient and sustainable port ecosystem. Fostering an open, friendly and collaborative atmosphere, we share knowledge and help each other. You will get all the support and training you need to evolve and grow as a researcher.
 

Job requirements

As a successful applicant, you hold a MSc degree in a relevant field (Operations Research, Transportation, Mathematics, Computer Science, or related disciplines). Ideally, you are already familiar with maritime or port operations or have experience in simulating environments. Furthermore, a sound knowledge of data science, optimization, AI methodologies, and programming experience (i.e. Python or Matlab) is highly desirable. 

Due to the highly interdisciplinary, international, and collaborative nature of the project excellent communication and interpersonal skills, as well as the desire to work in a very diverse and interdisciplinary environment, are an essential requirement.

Are you passionate about scientific research and real-world applications in transportation and logistics? Do you have a strong background in operations research, transportation, mathematics, or computer science, and feel that you are a good match for the position but cannot yet tick all the boxes? Then please still get in touch with us as we would like to hear more about your vision for this project and how your skills could contribute to the planned research.     
 

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 of Civil Engineering and Geosciences

The Faculty of Civil Engineering & Geosciences (CEG) is committed to outstanding international research and education in the field of civil engineering, applied earth sciences, traffic and transport, water technology, and delta technology. Our research feeds into our educational programmes and covers societal challenges such as climate change, energy transition, resource availability, urbanisation and clean water. Our research projects are conducted in close cooperation with a wide range of research institutions. CEG is convinced of the importance of open science and supports its scientists in integrating open science in their research practice. The Faculty of CEG comprises 28 research groups in the following seven departments: Materials Mechanics Management & Design, Engineering Structures, Geoscience and Engineering, Geoscience and Remote Sensing, Transport & Planning, Hydraulic Engineering and Water Management. 

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Civil Engineering & Geosciences. 

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 € 2901per month in the first year to € 3707 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.  

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 would like more information about this vacancy or the selection procedure, please contact Mahnam Saeednia, via m.saeednia@tudelft.nl.

Application procedure

Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 15 June 2025 via the application button and upload the following documents:

• (1) single-page motivation letter;
• (2) a detailed CV;
• (3) MSc thesis abstract
• (4) contact information of two or three referees;
• (5) two slides or one page pitching your view on one of the PhD project topics described in the ad.
• Please highlight in your motivation letter and/or CV examples of projects in which you demonstrate your related analytical skills required by the project.

You can address your application to Mahnam Saeednia.

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. 

Please note:

• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post. 
• A pre-employment screening can be part of the selection procedure.
• For the final candidates, a knowledge security check will be part of the application procedure. For more information on this check, please consult Chapter 8 of the National Knowledge Security Guidelines. We carry out this check on the basis of legitimate interest.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.