PhD scholarship in Technology-Enabled Urban Logistics, Curbside Management and Sustainable Urban Planning - DTU Engineering Technology

DTU - Technical University of Denmark; Ballerup; On-site; DKK 314,000 - 404,000; Full time

Job summary

DTU - Technical University of Denmark invites applications for a full-time PhD position in urban logistics as part of an international Alliance PhD with TUM. The project examines how new logistics technologies and curbside management can support cleaner, quieter, and more efficient cities in Copenhagen and Munich.

You will join the DTU Engineering Technology section Production, Transportation and Planning, contributing to the DTU Logistics Research Center and the DTU–TUM collaboration.

Qualifications

• Strong analytical and research skills, including qualitative and/or quantitative methods.
• Interest in tech/logistics, urban planning, and public policy interactions.
• Proficient in English, written and spoken.
• Collaborative, proactive, and capable of engaging with academic, public-sector, and industry partners.

Responsibilities

• Investigate how emerging logistics technologies support sustainable urban mobility.
• Analyze cargo bikes, drones, micro-hubs, AMRs, and electric vans in Copenhagen and Munich.
• Study curbside management and street-space allocation for sustainable logistics.
• Develop cross-city analyses of policies, planning approaches, and governance frameworks.
• Publish results in international journals and present at conferences.
• Coordinate and exchange knowledge with international partners.

Skills

Analytical skills

Research methods

English communication

Interdisciplinary teamwork

Education

Master's degree in Urban Planning/Engineering/Transport Planning/Logistics/Geography

Job description

Job Description

Are you passionate about urban logistics, sustainable urban mobility, and smart city planning? Do you want to work at the forefront of research investigating how new logistics technologies and curbside management strategies can support cleaner, quieter, and more efficient cities?

We invite applications for a full-time PhD position at DTU as part of an international Alliance PhD collaboration between DTU Engineering Technology, DTU Management, and the Technical University of Munich (TUM). The project, "Integrating Technology-Enabled Logistics and Sustainable Urban Planning: A Comparative Study Between Copenhagen and Munich," explores how emerging logistics technologies can be better integrated into urban planning to support sustainable urban mobility, more efficient logistics systems, and more liveable cities.

The project focuses on Copenhagen and Munich as living laboratories for understanding how cities can accommodate growing delivery demand while improving sustainability, accessibility, and urban quality of life.

The objective of the PhD is to advance knowledge on the integration of innovative last-mile logistics solutions into sustainable urban planning and policy. The project will investigate how technologies such as cargo bikes, drones, micro-hubs, autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), and electric delivery vans are transforming urban freight systems. Particular attention will be given to the role of curbside management, allocation of urban space, and the governance mechanisms needed to balance logistics efficiency with broader sustainability and mobility goals. The project will develop a comparative framework that supports cities in achieving a more effective integration of logistics flows, street-space management, and urban planning objectives.

The PhD project will contribute directly to the development of the newly established DTU Logistics Research Center, strengthening collaboration between DTU Engineering Technology, DTU Management, and leading European research institutions. Through the collaboration with TUM, the successful candidate will become part of an extensive international network of researchers working on urban mobility, logistics, accessibility, and transport planning.

You will join our section Production, Transportation and Planning at DTU Engineering Technology, where you will work alongside researchers with a strong mix of academic and industry experience. Our section is diverse in culture, gender, nationalities, personality types, and career paths. We enjoy collegial idea generation, feedback, and collaboration in an informal, safe, and inspiring working environment. We are united by our ambition to contribute to more sustainable and livable societies through research and innovation. If you share this ambition, you will fit perfectly into our team.

Responsibilities And Qualifications

As a PhD student, you will:

• Investigate how emerging logistics technologies can support sustainable urban mobility and freight transport systems.


• Analyze the implementation and impacts of cargo bikes, drones, micro-hubs, autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), and electric delivery vans in Copenhagen and Munich.


• Study the role of curbside management and street-space allocation in supporting sustainable urban logistics.


• Develop comparative analyses of urban logistics policies, planning approaches, and governance frameworks across the two cities.


• Design and apply qualitative and quantitative research methods, including stakeholder interviews, policy analysis, and urban logistics assessments.


• Collaborate with municipalities, logistics operators, mobility providers, and other relevant stakeholders in Denmark and Germany.


• Contribute to the activities of the DTU Logistics Research Center and the broader DTU–TUM collaboration.


• Publish research results in leading international journals and present findings at international conferences.


• Support project coordination and knowledge exchange among international research partners.

We are looking for a candidate who:

• Holds a master’s degree in Urban Planning, Engineering, Transport Planning, Logistics, Geography, or a related field. It must be a two-year master's degree (120 ECTS points) or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a two-year master's degree.


• Demonstrates strong analytical and research skills, including experience with qualitative and/or quantitative research methods.


• Has an interest in the interaction between technology, logistics, urban planning, and public policy.


• Possesses strong communication skills in spoken and written English and enjoys working in international and interdisciplinary environments.


• Is proactive, collaborative, and motivated to engage with academic, public-sector, and industry partners.

Approval and Enrolment

The scholarship for the PhD degree is subject to academic approval, and the candidate will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes at DTU. For information about our enrolment requirements and the general planning of the PhD study programme, please see DTU's rules for the PhD education.

Assessment

The assessment of candidates will be made by Associate Professor Victor Andrade.

We offer

DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.

Salary and appointment terms

The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. Please see DTU’s salary structure for scientific staff: www.inside.dtu.dk/en/human-resources/during-employment/salary/salary-structures

The period of employment is 3 years.

The starting date is February 1, 2027 (or as mutually agreed). The position is a full-time position.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here.

Further information

For further information about the PhD position, please contact Victor Andrade ([e-mail]).

You can read more about the Department of Engineering Tehcnology at https://engtech.dtu.dk/.

If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark. Furthermore, you have the option of joining our monthly free seminar “ PhD relocation to Denmark and startup “Zoom” seminar ” for all questions regarding the practical matters of moving to Denmark and working as a PhD at DTU.

About DTU Engineering Technology

We work at the forefront of university-industry collaboration and develop tools and methods for technology implementation. We are organized in nine research groups all focused on technology implementation and engineering technology.

DTU – For the benefit of society since 1829

DTU is one of Europe's leading elite technical universities. Through research and education at an international top level, we create solutions to the major societal challenges of our time and help secure Europe's global leadership in sustainable technological development. Since Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU almost 200 years ago, our mission has remained the same: We develop and create value through the natural and technical sciences for the benefit of society. DTU has 13,800 students, 1,600 PhD students, and 6,500 employees. We work in an international environment and have an inclusive, stimulating, and informal work culture. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland and collaborates with the best universities around the world.