PhD Position Decarbonization Dynamics of SME

PhD Position Decarbonization Dynamics of SME in the Netherlands

Contribute to the decarbonization of the Dutch economy, engage with SME entrepreneurs, and develop model-based policy recommendations to support SMEs to become climate-positive.

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 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.

The leading question is:
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. 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.

The project is highly interdisciplinary, connecting sustainability accounting, organizational behaviour and socio-technical transition dynamics. Methods include 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 (daily supervisor) and Prof. Dr. Laurens de Vries (promotor). As a PhD candidate, you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The Doctoral Education Programme develops transferable, discipline-related and research skills and provides a platform for experience exchanges with other PhD candidates.

You will be part of the Policy Analysis section of the Department Multi-Actor Systems (MAS) and maintain close connections to the Energy & Industry section of the Department Engineering Systems and Services within TU Delft. MAS brings together expertise from policy analysis, systems engineering & simulation and organisation & governance, tackling complex socio-technical challenges such as climate change and the energy transition.

As the successful candidate, you will contribute to the intellectual environment at the Faculty of Technology, Policy and Management at TU Delft and support its teaching and knowledge transfer activities. You will have access to state-of-the-art facilities and a collaborative working environment with mentorship and tailored training for professional growth.

The candidate…

• holds a Master’s degree in 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 will complete 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 Netherlands.

Additionally, we seek a combination of some or all of the following qualities:

• knowledge of the Dutch economy and business sector, especially SMEs, or willingness to develop this knowledge in the early phase of the PhD.
• e…