PhD Researcher Decision Processes and Strategies for Adaptive Reuse of Buildings

PhD Researcher Decision Processes and Strategies for Adaptive Reuse of Buildings Help shape better decisions for adaptive reuse of buildings across Europe. Develop strategies that balance environmental impact, costs, technical performance and circularity.

Adaptive reuse of buildings is becoming increasingly important to meet Europe’s housing needs while reducing environmental impact and making better use of existing buildings. Yet deciding whether and how to reuse a building is complex. Multiple stakeholders and criteria need to be considered, while existing buildings and locations impose technical and spatial constraints. At the same time, there is increasing pressure to minimise global warming impacts over the building’s new life cycle. As a PhD researcher within the Horizon Europe project ReEnsemble, you will investigate how decisions about adaptive reuse are currently made across different European contexts. You will map and analyse existing decision-making processes and strategies using qualitative research methods. Based on your findings, you will develop improved approaches that strengthen the role of Whole Life Cycle Global Warming Potential, Life Cycle Costing, technical performance and circularity in decision-making. You will test, refine and validate your decision framework together with asset owners and industry stakeholders. Working closely with academic and industry partners across Europe, you will bridge research and practice and help develop approaches that support more informed and sustainable decisions about existing buildings. You will disseminate your findings through scientific publications, conferences, workshops and engagement with practitioners. This PhD research offers an excellent opportunity to advance both the theory and practice of adaptive reuse while contributing to more sustainable and efficient use of buildings across Europe.

You hold an MSc in Architecture, Real Estate or a related discipline, or will graduate within three months. You have excellent written and spoken English and strong academic writing skills. You have an interest in decision-making, adaptive reuse and sustainable building practices. You are curious, critical and motivated to conduct research with practical application. You are able to organise your research independently and work in a structured way. You communicate effectively and enjoy working with stakeholders from different backgrounds. You are keen to collaborate in an interdisciplinary and international research team. Knowledge of Dutch is an advantage because the research includes case studies and interviews with Dutch practitioners.

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 €3204 - €4051 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.

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