PhD Identifying Collective Values Amongst Collectives Sustainability Transitions

Join TU Delft as a PhD researcher within the ECCO project to explore how housing collectives embody values such as solidarity, care, sustainability, and cooperation.

This position is part of the NWO-funded ECCO (Empowering Citizen COllectives in societal transitions) project, a groundbreaking collaboration between five leading Dutch universities. ECCO investigates how citizen collectives—grassroots organizations formed by citizens working together on shared goals—can become powerful drivers of societal change in areas such as housing, work, income, and sustainability. The project examines how these collectives can partner effectively with governments to address pressing challenges, from climate change to social inequality.

Within ECCO, 11 PhD researchers will form a cohort working collaboratively across disciplines and institutions. This particular position will be hosted at the Department of Management in the Built Environment (MBE), Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment, TU Delft.

As PhD researcher, you will investigate how housing collectives identify societal shortcomings and embody alternative values such as solidarity, collectivity, sustainability, and care. Your research will focus on understanding participants’ motivations and values, and on how diverse groups can develop a unified identity that strengthens their voice in governance. You will employ methods including the Means-End Chains method, collaborative ethnography, and data analysis.

Working closely with societal partners such as Cooplink, Ecodorpen, and the Knarrenhof Foundation, you will map collective values and design pathways for housing collectives to influence housing policy and sustainability transitions.

• Conduct research through qualitative and quantitative methods, including interviews, surveys, and workshops.
• Develop the Collective Values Navigator, a digital co‑creation tool.
• Create a roadmap to enhance housing collectives’ performance and impact.
• Facilitate sense‑making sessions with diverse stakeholders.
• Collaborate with fellow PhD researchers within the ECCO consortium.

• Academic background in social sciences (e.g. sociology, anthropology), management sciences, organisational studies, or human geography, with experience or affinity for housing studies.
• Strong methodological skills in both qualitative and quantitative research, including:
• Survey and interview methods.
• Focus groups and workshop facilitation.
• Experience with qualitative analysis software e.g., Atlas.ti, NVivo.
• Proficiency in Excel, SPSS, and other statistical tools.
• Full fluency in English; proficiency in Dutch is highly desirable.
• Ability to communicate complex findings to diverse audiences.
• Excellent organisational and teamwork skills.

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. 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 full‑time 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.

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…