Terug naar de lijst

Vacaturebeschrijving

PhD Position Optimizing Multi-actor Transport and Logistics Systems in Delft, Nederland

Delft University of Technology (TU Delft)

  • VoltijdStandaard wekelijkse uren
  • ContractBepaalde tijd of freelance

€ 3.204 - € 4.051 per maand

Delft, Nederland

Would you like to develop new theory and algorithms for problems with multiple interacting actors? Are you interested in working at the intersection of game theory and mixed-integer optimisation?

Job description
Transport and logistics systems consist of many players with potentially conflicting objectives that continuously strive to maximize their performance. The competition and collaboration between these players can influence their decision-making, which is something that traditional Mixed Integer Linear Programming (MILP) formulations with a single decision-maker cannot capture. The goal of this PhD is to develop novel methodologies at the intersection of operations research and game theory to address these problems. Applications can go beyond the transport and logistics domain.

Your research will focus on mathematical modelling and algorithm development for planning and operating multi-actor systems, taking into account that the actions of one actor influence the opportunities and performance of others. A central methodological component of the position is the development of scalable optimisation algorithms for large and computationally challenging problem instances. You will formulate mathematical programming models and design solution approaches based on techniques such as column generation, branch-and-price, and Benders decomposition.

You will be expected to:
  • develop new game-theoretic/optimization models for multi-actor decision problems;
  • design scalable solution methods for large-scale optimisation problems;
  • contribute to scientific publications in leading journals in operations research, transportation, and logistics;
  • communicate research findings to an interdisciplinary audience.
You will join the Transport and Logistics section of the Department of Engineering Systems and Services

Job requirements
  • We are looking for a candidate who meets the following requirements:
  • An MSc degree in operations research, econometrics, applied mathematics, computer science, industrial engineering, systems and control, or a closely related discipline.
  • A strong background and demonstrated experience in mathematical optimisation, in particular mixed-integer programming.
  • Excellent programming skills (e.g., Python, Julia, Java, or C++) and experience with optimization solvers.
  • Very good academic writing and communication skills in English.
  • An open and collaborative attitude and the ability to work effectively in an interdisciplinary and international research environment.
  • Knowledge of game theory, bi-level optimization and decomposition-based solution algorithms are a plus.
TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)
Working at TU Delft means contributing to solutions that really make a difference.

For over 180 years, we have been training engineers who make an impact worldwide in companies, government bodies, or as entrepreneurs. Our alumni turn knowledge into concrete solutions for the challenges of today and tomorrow. These challenges are changing rapidly. That is why we focus on themes such as energy, climate, digitalisation, artificial intelligence (AI), and smart mobility every day. Our education and research are directly aligned with what society needs now and in the future.

At TU Delft, our people make the difference. With their knowledge and curiosity, our staff provide a high-quality education and conduct pioneering research that extends beyond the campus. You will have the opportunity to take the initiative, work with others, and grow as a professional. Working at TU Delft means join an international community of professionals and students. Together, we create knowledge, innovations, and solutions that help move the world forward.

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 €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.

Additional information
If you would like more information about this vacancy or the selection procedure, please contact Patrick Stokkink via [email protected] .

Application procedure
Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 22 November 2026 via the application button and upload the following documents:
  • CV
  • Motivational letter
You can address your application to Patrick Stokkink.

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.

Vergelijkbare vacatures

Meer zoals deze functie

  • Voltijd
  • Contract

€ 3.204 - € 4.051 per maand

Shape the future of nanoparticle safety and design. Join TU Delft as a PhD researcher using Bayesian and counterfactual modelling to predict nanoparticle transport in human tissue. Job description We are looking for a PhD candidate to build the computational model at the center of a European project on nanoparticle transport ...

Delft, Nederland

  • Op afstand
  • Voltijd
  • Contract

€ 3.204 - € 4.051 per maand

... requirement for survival and reproduction. Freshwater availability is a key determinant of life on earth, yet climate change is rapidly altering hydrological systems worldwide. Migratory waterbirds are particularly sensitive to these changes because they depend on water bodies at multiple sites along their flyway. While ...

Nijmegen, Nederland

Delft University of Technology (TU Delft)

PhD Position in AI for Software Reuse and Agentic Development

  • Voltijd
  • Contract

€ 3.204 - € 4.051 per maand

... written academic works (theses, papers, …), please include them or link to them in your application package. You can address your application to Andy Zaidman. The PhD position will be fully at TU Delft, with strong collaboration with ING. Please include a brief statement in your application indicating whether and, if so, how ...

Delft, Nederland

  • Voltijd
  • Contract

€ 3.204 - € 4.051 per maand

... research. We educate innovative engineers and have excellent labs and facilities that underline our strong international position. In total, more than 1000 employees and 4,000 students work and study in this innovative environment. Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer ...

Delft, Nederland

Delft University of Technology (TU Delft)

PhD Position Sensing Viscosity with Ultrasound

  • Voltijd
  • Contract

€ 3.204 - € 4.051 per maand

... your PhD thesis. - Contributing to education, for example by supervising MSc students. Your work environment You’ll be part of the Dynamics of Micro and Nanosystems (DMN) section within department of Precision and Microsystems Engineering (PME) of the faculty of Mechanical Engineering . The section studies and develops ...

Delft, Nederland

Delft University of Technology (TU Delft)

PhD Position Flexibility in Nuclear Power

  • Voltijd
  • Contract

€ 3.204 - € 4.051 per maand

... with thermodynamics and transport equations. 4) A keen interest in the nuclear industry and its future roles in society. 5) Keen interest in transient modelling and analysis. 6) Good communication skills and the ability to be a team player in a highly multidisciplinary setting. For this vacancy, a knowledge embargo exemption ...

Delft, Nederland

  • Voltijd
  • Contract

€ 3.059 - € 3.881 per maand

... water and sanitation issues - Familiarity with living lab methodology - Affiliation with local institution where the candidate can return after completing the PhD Contract terms The position is a Sandwich PhD, meaning you will be based at the Environmental Technology (ETE) group at Wageningen University & Research and at ...

Wageningen, Nederland

  • Voltijd
  • Deeltijd
  • Contract
  • Research

€ 3.204 - € 4.051 per maand

... next-generation of data centers will be based on Solid-State Transformer, which enables energy distribution with higher efficiency, grid-friendly data center operation and etc. This PhD position offers a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of power electronics, control systems, and grid integration, with direct collaboration ...

Eindhoven, Nederland

  • Op afstand
  • Voltijd
  • Contract

€ 3.204 - € 4.051 per maand

... available wood samples with a mass spectrometer - Develop and test multivariate geostatistical models of forensic data to verify timber origin - Lead analyses and writing of multi-authored scientific publications, culminating in a PhD thesis - Collaborate with international partners and members of the user committee - Provide ...

Wageningen, Nederland

  • Voltijd

€ 3.115 per maand

... courses are offered, specially developed for PhD-students. - AMOLF assists any new foreign PhD-student with housing and visa applications and compensates their transport costs and furnishing expenses. More information? For further information about the position, please contact Albert Polman: [email protected] and Jorik van ...

Aemstelredamme, Nederland