PhD onderzoek

The Urbanism Research Programme provides a lively stimulating environment for PhD research. Candidates also participate in the TU Delft Graduate School which provides doctoral education in research skills and personal and career development.

PhD work forms a major part of Urbanism research. The research programme is organised in research themes, and all proposals must demonstrate how they will contribute to the themes. The overall Urbanism Research Programme can be viewed here. PhD candidates participate in a four-year programme. In the first year, the candidate prepares a comprehensive research proposal and a long paper, which is assessed by a professorial panel following a public presentation.

PhD opportunities may arise for specific projects funded by the Dutch National Research Organisation (NWO) or other funding bodies. In these cases the PhD candidate will be employed by the TU Delft to undertake a specific project. These opportunities will be advertised at ‘Working at TU Delft’. However, most PhD candidates find their own funding. In this case TU Delft offers supervision and an academic environment and the candidate performs research in the university on a daily basis based on hospitality to enable him/her to write a thesis within four years. The PhD candidate may be granted time or financing by a) a foreign university; b) personal grant-issuing organisations such as national research councils, or c) his/her employer.

If the Urbanism Programme decides to accept an applicant on a preliminary basis who has not already secured funding, supervisors are able to assist with the preparation of applications for grant funding, but the responsibility for finding funding rests with the applicant. Applicants will need to explain on their application where they expect to gain funding. We do not accept applicants who are self-financed from personal funds.

Process of consideration of applications

1. Applications must be made through the Graduate School AB+E. See the application & selection process on the Graduate School website .
   
   
2. Please state clearly at the top of your proposal which topic your proposal addresses.
   
   
3. A panel will assess the applications and create a shortlist. The criteria are:
   
   a) the scientific quality of the research proposal;
   b) the societal relevance of the research proposal;
   c) the quality of the curriculum vitae including academic qualifications;
   d) other considerations like evidence of writing skills, funding and English language competence.
   
   
4. The panel will pay particular attention to the ability of the candidate to develop knowledge in the relevant topic.
   
   
5. Shortlisted applicants may be interviewed, if necessary by video link or telephone.
   
   
6. Subject to funding, the successful applicants will be given hospitality for 4 years, during which they will undertake a formal progress review (a go,no-go). Following a successful review the candidate will register with the University for the PhD.