"PhD Position on Systemic Risk in Climate-Sensitive Housing Markets"

Job Summary

This 4-year fully funded PhD position is part of the ERC Consolidator project "Systemic physical climate risk in complex adaptive economies" (SPHINX). The role involves modeling how climate risks affect housing markets, identifying when homes become stranded assets, and shaping climate-resilient policies.

Responsibilities

• Develop agent-based housing market models to explore interactions between households and banks amid increasing climate physical risks.
• Advance models by introducing adaptive price expectations of households and climate-aware policies of the financial sector.
• Synthesize knowledge on socio-behavioral and economic mechanisms for risk propagation in housing markets.
• Utilize behavioral data from household surveys and spatial climate risk data to identify conditions for risk contagion and climate gentrification.
• Explore policy levers to prevent systemic failures.

Qualifications and Requirements

• MSc in Computational Science, Geography, Spatial Economics, Environmental Studies, or Engineering & Policy Analysis.
• Knowledge of a programming language such as Python or Julia, and training in simulation methods.
• Experience with statistical data analysis; previous experience with agent-based or spatial modeling is beneficial.
• Ability to work with spatial data and GIS is an asset.
• Domain knowledge in coupled social-environmental systems, climate change, or global environmental change is advantageous.
• Solid problem-solving skills, capacity to take initiative, and fluent written and spoken English.

What the Employer Offers

• A 4-year employment contract, starting with 1.5 years and extendable based on performance.
• Salary ranging from €3059 to €3881 per month, in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities.
• Enrollment in the TU Delft Graduate School with access to research skills development programs.
• Customizable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, monthly work costs contribution, and flexible work schedules.
• Support for relocation, including events to help settle in the Netherlands and a Dual Career Programme.