Postdoctoral research on behaviour-aware optimisation for urban cycling logistics.
Job description
Platform-mediated cycling logistics has become a structural component of urban freight in the Netherlands, yet the coordination between platform operations and municipal safety planning remains underdeveloped. The PROSPER project, funded under TKI Dinalog, develops decision-support methods to inform this coordination, in collaboration with platform, municipal, and academic partners. The postdoctoral position offered here constitutes the methodological core of the project.
The work combines empirical analysis of courier movement data, spatial modelling of urban risk exposure, and simulation-based evaluation of routing and policy strategies. The successful candidate will lead the technical research, contribute to publications in leading journals in transportation and operations research, and help shape the translation of the resulting methods into outputs developed with the project's industrial and municipal partners.
The position is hosted by the ORBIT Lab (Operations Research and Behavioural Informatics in Transportation) at the Faculty of Technology, Policy and Management, under the supervision of Dr. Yousef Maknoon.
Job requirements
- A PhD in operations research, transportation, applied mathematics, computer science, or a closely related quantitative field.
- Strong research background in mathematical optimisation, simulation, or behavioural modelling for mobility or logistics.
- Fluent in Python, comfortable with geospatial data and large movement datasets.
- First-author publications in international peer-reviewed journals.
- Able to communicate technical results clearly to industrial and municipal partners.
Valued:
- Prior work on routing, dispatch, or last-mile logistics.
- Experience with discrete choice or stated-preference modelling.
- Familiarity with cycling safety or platform-mediated work.
- Track record of turning research into working tools.
TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)
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. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.
Challenge. Change. Impact!
Faculty Technology, Policy and 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.
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Conditions of employment
- Duration of contract is 10 months Temporary
- A job of 36-40 hours per week.
- Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch
- 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.
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 position, please contact Dr. Yousef Maknoon [email protected].
Application procedure
Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 17 June 2026 upload the following documents:
- Detailed CV.
- Motivational letter (1-2 pages)
- Two relevant publications or the PhD thesis (if in English).
You can address your application to Yousef Maknoon.
We will begin reviewing applications immediately and continue until the position is filled. Early applications are encouraged, as interviews may be scheduled on a rolling basis.
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.
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