Are you interested in envisioning the cities of the future through architectural innovation and typological hybridation? Join the "Food in the City" project!
Job description
The Group of Public Building at TU Delft - Faculty of Architecture and The Built Environment - is pleased to invite applicants for a fully-funded doctoral position within the framework of the research project "Food in the City. (Public) Architectures of Circulation." The project aims to explore the diverse range of spatial products thanks to which food is produced, distributed and delivered into urban areas of the Netherlands.
The production and distribution of all sorts of goods is in fact becoming a key factor in the organization of both urban and suburban areas. Complex infrastructural systems, constituted by buildings scattered over the territory, enable the circulation of commodities. These buildings can be warehouses, distribution centers, packaging, handling and storage areas. Generally considered as conventional and merely utilitarian structures, such spaces are extremely relevant for the role they play within local and global networks.
This research project focuses attention on those networks and their buildings by investigating food supply chains within the context of the Netherlands. It will analyze the supply chains of conventional food items which are commonly found in large numbers and at low prices in supermarkets as well as the spaces and architectures that permit the functioning of this chain. Among them, emphasis will be placed on the role, the design and the functioning of the so-called agroparks - spatial ensembles in which different aspects of the food chain come together: indoor and outdoor cultivating centers with cutting, packing, cooling and storage facilities. Agroparks and other significant examples will be analyzed to ideate design solutions that can rethink the whole food supply chain, by questioning the rigid antinomy between rural areas (where food is produced) and cities (where food is consumed); by intervening in the sequence of spaces and buildings within the food chain with facilities open to the collectivity; by scaling the physical and environmental impact of these facilities down; by optimizing their energy efficiency; by foreseeing for those spaces a more active and integrated role in Dutch urban fabrics; by envisioning new typological articulations for some of the architectures involved in the chain.
This research project will take place under the supervision of dr. Stefano Corbo (principal investigator) and Prof. Nathalie de Vries.
The PhD candidate selected for the position will:
- Combine qualitative and quantitative research with research-by-design methods.
- Foster interdisciplinarity, drawing from the fields of urbanism, environmental studies, ecology.
- Contribute to academic publications and presentations related to the project.
- Participate in outreach activities.
- Join the teaching and research agenda of the Public Building Group.
Job requirements
The candidate is expected to have:
- A master's degree (or equivalent) in architecture.
- Interest in investigating the relationship between research and architectural design.
- Strong analytical and visualization skills.
- Excellent written and oral English. Fluency in Dutch is an asset.
- Excellent collaboration skills.
The starting date is September 1, 2025 (at the latest).
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 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 from early in the morning until late at night, with four thousand people 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.
to go to the website of the Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment.
About the group of Public Building
The Public Building Group investigates the future of public buildings and their role in the built environment, by developing new spatial formulas, programmatic articulations, structural and material components. In facing the intertwined relationship between economic, cultural and formal aspects, the Public Building Group questions existing typologies as well as explores their evolution in new architectural manifestations via hybridity, density and multiplicity. The Group adopts research-by-design methods to investigate contemporary contexts and societal issues.
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 € 2872 per month in the first year to € 3670 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.
Dual Career Programme is available, to support your accompanying partner with their job search in the Netherlands.
Additional information
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Application procedure
13 April 2025 via the application button and upload the following documents:
- Motivation letter (maximum 1 page) addressing your interests and describing how your experience and plans fit with the position.
- Detailed CV.
- A research project (5 pages maximum) related to the general theme of the call, placing emphasis on the relationship between food infrastructures, architectural design and urban development.
- Undergraduate and graduate transcripts.
- Contact information for two academic references. (letters not required at this stage).
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.
Het salaris bedraagt €2872 - €3670