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Delft University of Technology

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Two PhD positions in User-centred Design of Public Transport at TU Delft Delft University of Technology in Netherlands

Degree Level

PhD

Field of study

Participatory Action Research

Funding

Both PhD positions are fully funded for four years. Employment is offered initially for 1.5 years, followed by a 2.5-year contract if progress and performance are satisfactory. Salary and benefits follow the Dutch Universities collective labour agreement, with gross monthly salary increasing from €3059 to €3881, plus 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% end-of-year bonus. TU Delft also mentions health insurance discounts and a monthly work costs contribution.

Deadline

Expired

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Country

Netherlands

University

Delft University of Technology

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Keywords

Participatory Action Research
Psychology
Urban Planning
Civil Engineering
Industrial Engineering
Management
User-centered Design
Travel Behavior
Human Mobility
Public Transportation

About this position

Two fully funded PhD positions are open at Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) in the project Effortless public transport, a trans-disciplinary collaboration with Dutch public transport authorities (DOVA) and three TU Delft faculties: Industrial Design Engineering, Civil Engineering and Geosciences, and Technology, Policy and Management.

The research focuses on user-centred design for public transport, mobility, traveller behaviour, and the design of technical, service, and organisational solutions that make public transport easier to use and more attractive. The project aims to reduce barriers to public transport use and support more sustainable travel choices.

Position A (IDE + TPM) examines the transition towards public mobility and the governance system around it. Position B (IDE + CEG) designs and tests interventions to persuade “not-yet-travellers” to use public transport, especially around life events such as changing jobs, moving house, or expecting a first child.

PhD researchers will conduct user studies, analyse barriers and their links to technical and organisational characteristics, develop and test user-centred solutions, run pilot experiments with operators, and collaborate with academic, governmental, and industry partners. The work is based at the Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering, with membership in the Seamless Personal Mobility Lab and Smart Public Transport Lab, and includes 1–2 days per week at the OV Campus in Utrecht.

Applicants should have a relevant Master’s degree and a strong interest in mobility, traveller behaviour, and user-centred design. Experience with participatory research, co-creation/co-design, and strong qualitative and quantitative methods is expected. Dutch and English proficiency are required for fieldwork and pilots in the Netherlands.

The positions are fully funded for four years. Salary follows the Dutch university collective agreement, with gross monthly pay from €3059 to €3881, plus holiday allowance and an end-of-year bonus. Application deadline: 17 August 2026.

Funding details

Both PhD positions are fully funded for four years. Employment is offered initially for 1.5 years, followed by a 2.5-year contract if progress and performance are satisfactory. Salary and benefits follow the Dutch Universities collective labour agreement, with gross monthly salary increasing from €3059 to €3881, plus 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% end-of-year bonus. TU Delft also mentions health insurance discounts and a monthly work costs contribution.

What's required

Applicants need a relevant Master's degree, such as industrial design engineering, business or innovation studies, transportation, mobility or a related field. They should have a strong interest in mobility, traveller behaviour, and user-centred design, with affinity for design for policy (Position A) or design for behaviour change (Position B). Experience with participatory research methods, co-creation or co-design approaches is expected, along with strong qualitative and quantitative research skills, scientific writing skills, excellent communication skills, and strong written and spoken Dutch and English.

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