PhD on Operations Research for Climate-Adaptive Management of Dutch Transportation Systems

Introduction

Are you motivated by the challenge of enhancing the resilience of vital Dutch transportation systems to climate change? Do you have a passion for mathematical modelling and decision-making in the face of uncertainty? In close collaboration with Rijkswaterstaat, we are offering a PhD position in (Stochastic) Operations Research. This position focuses on developing robust, climate-adaptive management strategies for the Dutch transportation networks, ensuring reliable and resilient operations well into the next century.

Job Description

The Dutch transportation infrastructure—comprising waterways, highways, and railways—is vital for our economy and society. However, climate change poses increasing risks, from extreme weather events to long-term shifts in environmental conditions. What is the challenge? Developing robust, data-driven strategies to ensure the resilience of our transportation networks while making optimal investment decisions in the face of uncertainty.

As a PhD candidate, you will be engaged in a cutting-edge research project focused on stochastic modelling, network optimization, and decision-making under uncertainty to quantify and mitigate climate-related vulnerabilities in our transportation systems, closely collaborating with the government agency Rijkswaterstaat. You will work on:

• Developing a stochastic disruption model to assess system-wide vulnerabilities.
• Creating a multi-modal network flow model to understand how failures in one system (e.g., water) affect others (e.g., road or rail).
• Designing adaptive investment strategies for infrastructure resilience, considering long-term climate scenarios.

This position is in the Statistics, Probability and Operations Research (SPOR) cluster in the Mathematics and Computer Science (M&CS) Department at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e). The SPOR cluster has a vibrant research environment, accommodating strong scientists with diverse backgrounds from Applied Probability, to Discrete Optimization, to Statistics. You will primarily be embedded in the Stochastic Operations Research group, which focuses on evaluating and optimizing the performance and reliability of large-scale systems that operate in the presence of randomness and uncertainty. We develop mathematical models and methods for the design, analysis, optimization and control of such systems with techniques at the intersection of Applied Probability and Operations Research. Yet, to tackle this challenge, you will also work closely with members of the Statistics and Optimization groups. At the heart of the SPOR cluster is the workshop institute EURANDOM, offering major opportunities for you to learn through various international workshops and even co-organize workshops.

Job Requirements

We are looking for a highly motivated PhD candidate who ideally possesses the following qualities:

• A MSc degree in mathematics, econometrics or industrial engineering, with specialization in (Applied) Probability, (Stochastic) Operations Research, Optimization, and/or Statistics.
• Eager for the opportunity to closely interact with multiple stakeholders, and create a real impact on climate adaptation strategies.
• Strong independency in analytical thinking, and intrinsic drive to deep thinking and complex problem solving.
• Great communication skills, excellent team-working capabilities, strong academic writing competences, fluency in English (CEFR level C1 or above), and a keen ability to analyze and extract key information from Dutch documents.

Conditions of Employment

• A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university, in an interdisciplinary setting and within an international network. You will work on a beautiful, green campus within walking distance of the central train station. In addition, we offer you:
• Full-time employment for four years, with an intermediate assessment after nine months. You will spend a minimum of 10% of your four-year employment on teaching tasks, with a maximum of 15% per year of your employment.
• Salary and benefits (such as a pension scheme, paid pregnancy and maternity leave, partially paid parental leave) in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, scale P (min. € 2,901 max. € 3,707).
• A year-end bonus of 8.3% and annual vacation pay of 8%.
• High-quality training programs and other support to grow into a self-aware, autonomous scientific researcher. At TU/e we challenge you to take charge of your own learning process.
• An excellent technical infrastructure, on-campus children's day care and sports facilities.
• An allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs.
• A Staff Immigration Team and a tax compensation scheme (the 30% facility) for international candidates.

Information

Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more? Please contact the hiring manager Dr. Fiona Sloothaak, f.sloothaak@tue.nl, or Prof. Sem Borst, s.c.borst@tue.nl.

Visit our website for more information about the application process or the conditions of employment. You can also contact our personnel officers Jonelleke Kamperman or Gaby Jansen, HRServices.MCS@tue.nl.

Are you inspired and would like to know more about working at TU/e? Please visit our career page.

Application

If you are interested, we invite you to apply as soon as possible by using the ‘apply now’ button. We will start considering applications and interviewing immediately upon receiving an application. The application should include a:

• Cover letter (1 page max), which includes a motivation of your interest in the vacancy and an explanation of why you would fit well for the project;
• An extensive curriculum vitae (including a list of possible publications and awards);
• Your MSc thesis and BSc thesis (if applicable);
• A course list of your BSc and MSc programs (including grades);
• Names and contact information of two references;
• Any further information that might be relevant.