"Postdoc Resilient and Regulatory-Ready Solutions for Viable Supply Chains"

Job Description

We are hiring a postdoc to study how supply chains can stay resilient and meet regulatory demands, using system modeling and scenario analysis. Supply chains are increasingly exposed to complex and overlapping pressures. Climate change, geopolitical tensions, energy risks, and shifting trade patterns make disruptions more frequent and difficult to manage. At the same time, companies must comply with expanding regulatory frameworks on emissions, circularity, and responsible sourcing.

These developments do not only add risks — they fundamentally change how supply chains need to be designed and governed. The ReSolVe project (Resilient and Regulatory-Ready Solutions for Viable Supply Chains) addresses this challenge. Its goal is to move beyond reactive crisis management and provide a structured approach for building supply chains that are resilient, sustainable, and regulation-ready. The project develops methods and decision-support tools that integrate resilience and compliance directly into supply chain planning.

As a postdoctoral researcher, your work will center on building the conceptual and modeling foundations for the project. You will develop ways to measure resilience, sustainability, and regulatory readiness in supply chains, and design models that show how supply chains may respond to disruptions such as policy shifts, climate risks, or market shocks. A key part of the role is to translate regulatory requirements into elements that can be used in decision-support models, ensuring that compliance and resilience are considered together. You will collaborate closely with industrial stakeholders to link your research with ongoing modeling efforts and with the project’s broader applications.

This position offers the chance to conduct academically rigorous research while working closely with leading industry and policy partners. The collaboration ensures that your work will not only contribute to the scientific knowledge but also shape practical strategies for companies. The role provides an excellent environment to publish, expand your professional network, and develop expertise at the intersection of systems modeling, sustainability, and industrial practice.

Job Requirements

A PhD in systems engineering, industrial engineering, operations research, supply chain management, or a related field. Experience with system modeling or scenario analysis (e.g., system dynamics, agent-based modeling, MCDA, causal mapping). Understanding of or interest in regulatory environments, sustainability, or policy modeling in supply chains. Solid programming or modeling skills in tools such as Python. Strong analytical, writing, and communication skills in English. A collaborative mindset and interest in working across disciplines.

Additional valued experience (not required but welcome): Background in stakeholder modeling, policy analysis, or regulatory interpretation. Familiarity with integer programming techniques (modelling and solving). Familiarity with ESG, circularity, or compliance standards. Experience working in interdisciplinary or applied research settings with industry or public sector stakeholders.

About TU Delft

Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context.

At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale.

Conditions of Employment

Duration of contract is 1 year with possibility of extension. Temporary. A job of 36-40 hours per week. Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. An excellent pension scheme via the ABP. The possibility to compile an individual employment package every year. Discount with health insurers on supplemental packages. Flexible working week. Every year, 232 leave hours (at 38 hours). You can also sell or buy additional leave hours via the individual choice budget. Plenty of opportunities for education, training and courses. Partially paid parental leave. Attention for working healthy and energetically with the vitality program.