Researcher/ PhD Candidate — Agent-Based Modelling of the Circular Economy

De Haagse Hogeschool / The Hague University of Applied Sciences; Delft; On-site; EUR 40,000 - 50,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Two-contract structure

End-of-year pay 8.3%

Extensive leave arrangement

NS Business card or kilometer-based 2

Job summary

The Hague University of Applied Sciences (THUAS) is seeking a Researcher/PhD Candidate in agent-based modelling (ABM) on the circular economy. The position is 0.8 FTE and involves simultaneous enrolment as a PhD candidate at TU Delft, within CIVIC-4CE and THUAS's Centre of Expertise Digital Operations and Finance.

The role focuses on building a multi-level ABM linking micro- and macro-level dynamics, and on developing policy dashboards to explore scenarios such as repair incentives and

Qualifications

• MSc in Complex Systems Engineering and Management, Engineering and Policy Analysis, econometrics, industrial ecology, innovation management, mathematics, computer science, or an adjacent quantitative field.
• Affinity with simulation modelling or programming is required; ABM experience is a strong asset.
• The candidate should enjoy multidisciplinary settings and be able to work independently.

Responsibilities

• Develop a multi-level agent-based model linking micro-level decisions to macro-level transition dynamics.
• Uncover which individual behaviours drive system-level transitions using inverse generative methods.
• Build interactive policy dashboards to explore scenarios like repair incentives and right-to-repair regulations.

Skills

Simulation modelling

Independent work

Written English

Programming affinity

Education

MSc in Complex Systems Engineering and Management

Tools

ABM experience

Programming ability

Job description

The Hague University of Applied Sciences (THUAS) is looking for a Researcher / PhD Candidate in agent-based modelling (ABM) on the circular economy.

This is a 0.8 fte Researcher position at THUAS, with simultaneous enrolment as a PhD candidate at the Faculty of Technology, Policy and Management (TPM) of Delft University of Technology (TU Delft).

About the position

The candidate will be appointed for a 4-year period to research how to better understand and accelerate the circular economy. The focus is on developing a multi-level ABM that links micro-level consumer and organisational decisions to macro-level transition dynamics. Using inverse generative methods, the candidate will uncover which individual behaviours drive observed system-level transitions and build interactive policy dashboards to explore scenarios such as repair incentives and right-to-repair regulations. Case studies focus on e-bikes and washing machines.

The position is embedded in CIVIC-4CE, a five-year NWO-funded consortium of universities, businesses, municipalities, and NGOs, and is conducted within THUAS's Centre of Expertise Digital Operations and Finance and the Faculty of Technology, Policy and Management (TPM) at TU Delft.

What do we expect from you?

We are looking for a candidate with an MSc in Complex Systems Engineering and Management, Engineering and Policy Analysis, econometrics, industrial ecology, innovation management, mathematics, computer science, or an adjacent quantitative field. Affinity with simulation modelling or programming is required; ABM experience is a strong asset. The candidate should enjoy multidisciplinary settings, be able to work independently, and have strong written English skills. Some background in policy analysis, behaviour, or economics is beneficial, or the ability and willingness to acquire this knowledge.

This is what you can expect from us

The position is employed at THUAS under the CAO HBO; Although employed at THUAS, the candidate will be enrolled in TU Delft's Graduate School, culminating in a PhD thesis defended at TU Delft.

• Employment is structured as two contracts: an initial 1.5-year contract with a go/no-go assessment at 15 months, followed by 2.5 years upon positive assessment;
• Employment of 0.8 fte (32 uur);
• The exact salary scale will be confirmed upon appointment;
• Guaranteed end-of-year pay of 8,3%;
• An extensive leave arrangement;
• The choice between an NS Business card (2nd class) for your commutes or a kilometer based compensation;

> Read more about our attractive working conditions on terms of employment

The Hague University of Applied Sciences is an organisation that values a safe, reliable and professional environment, both internally and externally. For all contracts carried out by external parties, the rule is that a Certificate of Good Conduct (VOG) must be provided before the contract commences and the VOG screening must be appropriate for the work to be carried out at The Hague University of Applied Sciences.

About the groups

TU Delft: The position is established within the Department of Engineering Systems and Services (ESS) at TPM, specifically in the Energy and Industry section, where research on energy system integration, decarbonisation, and circular economy transitions takes place. ESS combines engineering and social science expertise, hosting scholars in energy systems, choice modelling, and decision‑making.

THUAS: The position is based in the research group Data Driven Marketing (DDM) within the Centre of Expertise Digital Operations and Finance. DDM integrates data analytics, consumer behaviour, and digital innovation to generate actionable insights for societal and market transitions. The group has strong connections to practice through its industry and public‑sector partners within CIVIC-4CE.

More about THUAS

If you work at THUAS, you work at one of the most dynamic and open organisation in the City of Peace and Justice. Together with 2,500 colleagues, you help 26,000 students from over 120 countries to prepare for a promising future in a world that changes every day. We do this by growing and evolving along with the world and the wishes of our students. We work together intensively with colleagues, with students and in the professional field. Furthermore, we look ahead, we are critical, and we stand in the middle of society.

Diversity, inclusiveness and equality are at the heart of everything we do. We strive for the composition of the student and staff population to reflect the society in which we work, and we want to offer everyone equal opportunities. We realise that this requires constant attention. We invest in this ourselves, and we would like you to help us with this.

> Read more about our story and our core values here:Our story

> THUAS as an inclusive campus: The Hague University inclusive