Fully Funded PhD Position on Greenhouse Horticulture Energy Hubs at Leiden University & TU Delft, Netherlands (2026)
This interdisciplinary PhD opportunity is ideal for candidates interested in energy transitions, sustainability, environmental systems, complex system modelling, and climate-neutral infrastructure development.
Applications are open until 25 June 2026.
About the PhD Project
Greenhouse horticulture currently plays an important role in the Dutch energy system, especially through combined heat and power systems. However, these systems largely depend on natural gas, while the sector aims to become carbon-neutral by 2040.
This PhD project is part of the SPROUT project, funded by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO), and focuses on scaling technical and system-level solutions into viable real-world implementation models for the horticulture sector.
The project explores how greenhouse energy hubs can:
- Generate energy
- Convert and store energy
- Reduce pressure on electricity grids
- Support regional energy infrastructure
- Improve sustainability and energy resilience
Research Objectives
The selected PhD candidate will work on several important research tasks, including:
1. Developing Viable Business Models
The project will identify and evaluate business models that support system-positive greenhouse energy hubs and enable large-scale implementation.
2. Studying Technical, Governance, and Social Barriers
The research will examine challenges related to technology adoption, governance systems, and stakeholder engagement.
3. Optimizing Energy Hub Archetypes
The PhD candidate will help improve the scalability and feasibility of greenhouse energy hub models for practical deployment.
4. Evaluating Regional Synergies
The project also investigates interactions between neighboring hubs and regional energy systems to strengthen implementation strategies.
Research Environment
The position is hosted at the Institute of Environmental Sciences (CML) at Leiden University, one of the Netherlands’ leading environmental science institutes.
CML focuses on:
- Sustainability science
- Environmental systems
- Industrial ecology
- Biodiversity conservation
- Natural resource management
The institute collaborates closely with:
- TU Delft
- Erasmus University
- Leiden-Delft-Erasmus Centre for Sustainability
- Naturalis Biodiversity Center
The university is located within the Leiden Bio Science Park, one of Europe’s largest science parks.
Candidate Requirements
Applicants should have:
- A Master’s degree relevant to the project topic
- Proven interest in energy transitions
- Experience with modelling complex systems
- Proficiency in Python or similar programming languages
- Analytical thinking and scientific writing skills
- Interest in interdisciplinary and participatory research approaches
Candidates with backgrounds in:
- Environmental Science
- Energy Systems
- Industrial Ecology
- Sustainability Science
- Systems Engineering
- Computational Modelling
- Climate Policy
will be particularly well aligned with the project.
Salary and Benefits
Leiden University offers a highly competitive PhD salary package under Dutch university employment conditions.
Salary
- €3,059 to €3,881 gross per month
Additional benefits include:
- 8% holiday allowance
- 8.3% end-of-year bonus
- Pension scheme with ABP
- Hybrid working options
- Home office support
- Flexible working hours
- 30.5 vacation days annually
- Paid parental leave and childcare support
- Professional training through the Graduate School of Science
The position starts with a one-year contract, extendable up to four years based on performance.
Why This PhD Is Important
This project sits at the intersection of:
- Energy transition
- Sustainability
- Environmental systems
- Climate-neutral infrastructure
- Complex systems modelling
- Policy and governance
Unlike many traditional energy PhD projects focused only on technical optimization, this position combines:
- Technical modelling
- Business strategy
- Governance analysis
- Social implementation challenges
This makes it highly relevant for future careers in:
- Sustainable energy systems
- Environmental consulting
- Climate policy
- Industrial ecology
- Smart infrastructure
- Academic research
Application Documents
Applicants must submit:
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Cover letter (maximum 2 pages)
- Contact details of at least two referees
Official Application link
Important Dates
- Application Deadline: 25 June 2026
- Location: Leiden, Netherlands
- Contract Type: Full-time PhD Position
Contact Information
For enquiries, applicants may contact:
- Prof. Peter van Bodegom: p.m.van.bodegom@cml.leidenuniv.nl
- Dr. Francesco Lombardi : f.lomabardi@tudelft.nl
Email contacts are provided in the official announcement.
About Leiden University
Founded in 1575, Leiden University is the oldest university in the Netherlands and one of Europe’s leading research institutions. The university hosts researchers and students from more than 100 nationalities and is internationally recognized for excellence in environmental science, sustainability, and interdisciplinary research.
Final Thoughts
This PhD position offers an exceptional opportunity to work on one of the most pressing sustainability challenges in Europe: integrating renewable energy systems into climate-neutral infrastructure.
With strong collaboration between Leiden University and TU Delft, advanced interdisciplinary research, and direct relevance to real-world energy transitions, the project provides excellent training for researchers interested in sustainable systems and future energy solutions.
Candidates passionate about sustainability, climate innovation, and complex systems modelling should strongly consider applying.
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