Help shape better decisions for adaptive reuse of buildings across Europe. Develop strategies that balance environmental impact, costs, technical performance and circularity.
Job description
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.
Job requirements
- 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.
TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)
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.
Challenge. Change. Impact!
Faculty Architecture & the Built Environment
The Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment has a leading role in education and research worldwide. The driving force behind the faculty’s success is its robust research profile combined with the energy and creativity of its student body and academic community. It is buzzing with energy, with four thousand people enthusiastically studying, working, designing, conducting research and acquiring and disseminating knowledge. Our faculty has a strong focus on 'design-oriented research’, which has given it a top position in world rankings.
Staff and students are working to improve the built environment with the help of a broad set of disciplines, including architectural design, urban planning, building technology, social sciences, process management, and geo-information science. The faculty works closely with other faculties, universities, private parties, and the public sector, and has an extensive network in the Netherlands as well as internationally.
Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment.
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 more information about this vacancy, please contact Prof. Vincent Gruis, via e-mail: v.h.gruis@tudelft.nl.
For more information about the application procedure, please contact Sofie Hennekens, HR Advisor,e-mail: recruitment-bk@tudelft.nl.
#EUfunded This is an EU funded project, named ReEnsemble, with project number 101326326, within program H2020 / Horizon Europe.
Application procedure
Please apply no later than October 11, 2026 (local Dutch time + 2 hrs) via the application button and upload the following five items:
- Cover letter, maximum one page and 400 words, explaining your motivation for the position and your fit with the research topic.
- CV, including education, relevant work experience, research experience, and relevant skills.
- Academic transcripts of both your BSc and MSc degrees.
- A digital copy of your MSc thesis (if applicable).
- The contact information for two references (letters not required at this stage).
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.
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Working at TU Delft
Join the oldest and largest technical university in the Netherlands. Work on clever solutions for worldwide challenges, to change the world and make an impact. Ready to bring your energy to our research? Challenge, change, impact!