Want to explore how citizen collectives can drive societal change? Join us as a PhD in using AI-powered agent-based modeling to design adaptive governance for climate and societal challenges.
Job description
This PhD position focuses on using agent-based modeling (ABM) to explore the lifecycle of community intiatives, as part of the ECCO project ((Empowering Citizen COllectives in societal transitions).
ECCO investigates how citizen collectives—grassroots organizations formed by citizens working together on shared goals—can become powerful drivers of societal change in areas like housing, work, income, and sustainability. You'll explore how these collectives can partner effectively with governments to address today's most pressing challenges, from climate change to social inequality.
This PhD research will develop adaptive institutional design principles for citizen collectives (CCs) throughout their lifecycle. You'll use cutting-edge AI-powered agent-based modeling combined with Large Language Models to create context-sensitive governance frameworks that address different developmental stages of CCs.
Your role: You'll conduct three in-depth case studies, develop sophisticated simulation models, and co-create practical tools with CCs through interactive workshops. Your research will transform theoretical governance principles into actionable, evidence-based recommendations that CCs can immediately apply.
What we expect:
- Conduct collaborative research with citizen collectives through participatory methods.
- Develop and validate agent-based models using real-world data.
- Present findings at interactive research days and stakeholder events.
- Produce at least 3 high-level journal articles, policy briefs, and infographics.
Job requirements
A candidate should ideally have:
- A master's degree in policy, environmental sciences, sustainable development or another field that provides domain knowledge in the field of coupled social-environmental systems.
- Previous experience with agent-based modelling or other simulation approaches is required.
- Completed a well-written master's thesis which demonstrates comfort with conceptual abstraction as well as practical application of scientific knowledge.
- Experience with quantitative research methods and data analysis is required.
- Experience with using LLMs is a plus.
- Excellent written and spoken command of English (C2 or above). For more details please check the Graduate Schools Admission Requirements: https://www.tudelft.nl/onderwijs/opleidingen/phd/admission.
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 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
For additional information about this project feel free to contact dr. Amineh Ghorbani (a.ghorbani@tudelft.nl). For information about the application procedure, contact the HR Advisor Martine van de Vorst, email: recruitment-tbm@tudelft.nl.
Application procedure
Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 13 February 2026 via the application button and upload the following documents:
- CV.
- Motivational letter also mentioning whether there are other positions within ECCO that you might be interested in as second option.
- Your MSc transcript with grades.
- 2 names of potential referees via the TU Delft online vacancy application system.
- A copy of your master's thesis or another piece of writing which you are most proud of. If you are shortlisted for the interview stage, you will also be asked to prepare a written piece according to prompt that will be sent to you.
You can address your application to Dr. Amineh Ghorbani.
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.
- 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
