PhD Position Decarbonization Dynamics of SME in the Netherlands

From the pharmaceutical company, the logistics entrepreneur to the milk powder producer, small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) play an important role in the economy - and for the climate. SME represent the backbone of the Dutch economy. With a contribution of 63% greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (measured at the EU level), SME also play a major role in the transition to reach net-zero. The data and information on SME carbon emissions, decision processes, and long-term dynamics are, however, weak in the absence of corporate social responsibility disclosure standards for SME and the high heterogeneity of SME. This research project seeks to gain an in-depth understanding of the decision context for SME in the Netherlands to decarbonize and the long-term decarbonization dynamics within the wider transition towards net-zero. As such, the project pursues the leading question: What shapes the decarbonization dynamics of SME in the Netherlands at the company and system level?

The project pursues a research line that progresses from characterising the heterogeneity of SME and decarbonization measures, to the decision-making processes within SME, to modelling the long-term decarbonization dynamics of SME in the Netherlands. Along these lines, the project is structured in three main contributions and one complementary outreach format. As the selected PhD candidate, you will:

• conduct data analysis for an emission-weighted segmentation of SME and their decarbonization levers.
• investigate what determines SME executives’ decarbonization decisions.
• develop a System Dynamics model to simulate the long-term decarbonization dynamics of SME in the Netherlands.

As such, the project is highly interdisciplinary, connecting the fields of sustainability accounting, organizational behaviour and socio-technical transition dynamics. The methods used in this PhD project are data analysis, literature review, in-person interviews, and System Dynamics modelling. The PhD research should result in a set of policy recommendations for SME to decarbonize their businesses, and for finance institutions and governance on how to support SME’s transition to net-zero.

The supervisory team for the PhD project consists of Dr. Merla Kubli, https://www.tudelft.nl/en/staff/m.d.kubli/ (daily supervisor), and Prof. Dr. Laurens de Vries, https://www.tudelft.nl/staff/l.j.devries/ (promotor). As a PhD candidate, you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills, providing a platform for experience exchanges with other PhD candidates.

You will be part of the Policy Analysis section of the Department Multi-Actor Systems, https://www.tudelft.nl/en/tpm/our-faculty/departments/multi-actor-systems (MAS) and maintain close connections to the Energy & Industry section of the Department Engineering Systems and Services (https://www.tudelft.nl/en/tpm/our-faculty/departments/engineering-systems-and-services) within TU Delft’s Faculty of Technology, Policy and Management. The MAS department’s diverse team of approximately 120 researchers, including PhD candidates and postdocs, brings together expertise from policy analysis, systems engineering & simulation and organisation & governance. This interdisciplinary approach is essential as we tackle complex socio-technical challenges such as climate change, cybersecurity, and the energy transition.

As the successful candidate, you will contribute to the stimulating intellectual environment at the Faculty of Technology, Policy, and Management at TU Delft and to support its portfolio of teaching and knowledge transfer activities. You will have access to state-of-the-art facilities, labs and equipment to help develop your research. The working environment is open and collaborative, promoting daily interaction and knowledge exchange. With minimal hierarchical barriers, you’ll benefit from strong mentorship and tailored training. Professional growth is a priority, ensuring your success in academia., 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.

The candidate…

• holds a Master’s degree on energy transition, sustainability, management or System Dynamics, or related fields (e.g. Engineering and Policy Analysis, Complex System Engineering, Sustainable Energy Technologies, System Dynamics, Industrial Ecology or a similar degree) or completes such a degree before September 1st.
• is passionate about decarbonization, has a strong interest in climate and decentral energy solutions and their socio-technical dynamics in the context of the Netherlands.

Furthermore, we are looking for a combination of some or all of the following qualities, where a candidate…

• is knowledgeable of the Dutch economy and business sector, especially regarding small- and medium-sized enterprises, or is willing to develop this knowledge in the early phase of the PhD.
• has experience with System Dynamics simulation modelling skills (e.g. with Vensim or Stella). If not already proficient, the candidate should demonstrate a strong interest in acquiring this skill in the early phase of the PhD and ideally have prior experience with systems thinking approaches and/or simulation models.
• has a solid basis in data analysis and interviewing skills.
• is able to work independently, engages with executives from SME and the banking sector, in professional manner, and contributes to a collaborative academic environment.
• is fluent in English and has strong writing skills. Given that the PhD candidate will work on topics strongly related to the Dutch economy, interact with Dutch SME executives, and a Dutch project financer, proficiency in Dutch is a strong plus for this position.

This PhD project is grounded in company- and system-level analysis with an explicit focus on socio-technical systems thinking. It is not focused on electrical engineering or technical optimization. Candidates with an engineering background are welcome to apply if they are motivated to engage with behavioral, business, and innovation perspectives on decarbonization dynamics and can demonstrate an affinity for these perspectives.

Doing a PhD at TU Delft requires English proficiency to ensure that the candidate can 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., * Master’s diploma including the grades; or if not yet fully graduated, the master’s grade transcript (in English) and a confirmation that the master’s degree will be completed before the start of the position in September 2026.

• A writing sample (usually the master’s thesis or a seminar paper).

The application may be addressed to Dr. Merla Kubli, and Prof. Dr. Laurens de Vries.

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.

Pulled from the full job description

• Flexible schedule, 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.

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., 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.