PhD position on evaluating the costs and benefits of European railway infrastructure & operation innovations

The Challenge

In the coming decades, the European railway sector is implementing several innovations to make railway systems more sustainable, reliable, interoperable, cost-effective and attractive for their users. Technologies such as fully autonomous, unattended train operation rely on the development and gradual implementation of several state-of-the-art sensing, signaling and safety technologies in several European countries. One of the major challenges is to gain the support of multiple stakeholders for innovations given the technical complexity and scale of their implementation. Smooth and effective deployment of these technologies therefore relies on smart implementation strategies that take into account the (societal) costs and benefits, as well as the timing and locations where these systems are deployed. To meet this challenge, a socio-technical approach needs to be developed that takes into account these challenging goals and requirements.

The PhD project focuses on (1) The development of methods and tools to evaluate the costs and benefits of technological innovations such as Automated Train Operations (ATO) for European railway stakeholders, and (2) The development and evaluation of migration strategies for the transition to more autonomous forms of railway operations. The research is supported by the European Joint Rail Undertaking of the European Union (Click for the website)https: // rail-research.europa.eu, which allows an international knowledge exchange with international railway partners.

Job description

As a PhD candidate, you will be responsible for carrying out an independent, full-time, 4-year research project that requires the integration of several research areas at the interface between engineering and management. As part of the research project, you will have the opportunity to evaluate your developed methods and tools in practice, together with several partners in the European railway sector. You will be assigned to the Asset Management & Maintenance Engineering (AMME) group, which is part of the Department of Design, Production and Management (DPM) of the Faculty of Engineering Technology (ET). Together with our (inter)national partners and contacts, our group strives to develop state-of-the-art solutions to fundamental and practical challenges in the field of Asset Management and Maintenance Engineering.

Your profile

You have (or will shortly acquire) a master's degree in a relevant field such as Industrial Engineering and Management, Industrial Design Engineering, or other multidisciplinary fields.

You have a broad knowledge base and research interests that include engineering, design, and technological, environmental, organizational, and asset life cycle management domains.

You are able to do independent research and are willing to build on your writing and publication skills.

You have excellent communication skills and are proficient in written and oral English; The ability to understand spoken and written Dutch is appreciated.

You are willing to travel internationally to perform and disseminate research.

Our offer

An inspiring multidisciplinary and challenging international and academic environment. The university offers a fun and dynamic environment with enthusiastic colleagues where cooperation with other researchers is stimulated.

Opportunity for (frequent) international research exchange.

Full-time employment for 4 years with a starting salary of €2.541,- gross per month in the first year and increasing to €3.247,- gross per month in the fourth year.

Tailor-made educational/development program of at least 6 months (30EC), including visits to conferences.

An annual holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary, and an annual year-end bonus of 8.3%.

A solid pension scheme.

A minimum of 29 holidays per year in case of full-time employment.

Excellent working conditions, an exciting scientific environment, and a lively green campus.

A professional and personal development program within Graduate School Twente.

Information and application

If you are interested in this position, please send your application by April 30, 2023 via the ‘Apply Now' button. In your application, please include:

An application letter explaining your motivation to apply for this position (max. 1 page A4)

An up-to-date CV (resume)

Official transcripts of BSc and MSc education

A publication list (if applicable)

A short motivational video (optional)

For more information on this position please contact dr.ir. W. Haanstra (email: [email protected]) or dr. A.J.J Braaksma (email: [email protected]).

The first interviews are planned for May 11th and 12th, 2023.

About the organisation

The Faculty of Engineering Technology (ET) engages in education and research of Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering and Industrial Design Engineering. We enable society and industry to innovate and create value using efficient, solid and sustainable technology. We are part of a ‘people-first' university of technology, taking our place as an internationally leading center for smart production, processes and devices in five domains: Health Technology, Maintenance, Smart Regions, Smart Industry and Sustainable Resources. Our faculty is home to about 2,900 Bachelor's and Master's students, 550 employees and 150 PhD candidates. Our educational and research programmes are closely connected with UT research institutes Mesa+ Institute, TechMed Center and Digital Society Institute.

Want to know more Braaksma, A.J.J. (Jan)

Associate Professor

Braaksma, A.J.J. (Jan)

Associate Professor

Do you have questions about this vacancy? Then you can contact Jan for all substantive questions about this position and the application procedure. For general questions about working for the UT, please refer to the chatbot.

Contact

Phone:+31534894007

Email:[email protected]

How to apply Step 1

Apply. When you see a vacancy that appeals to you, you can apply online. We ask you to upload a CV and motivation letter and/or list of publications. You will receive a confirmation of receipt by e-mail.

Step 2

Selection. The selection committee will review your application and you will receive a response within 2 weeks after the vacancy has been closed.

Step 3

1st interview. The 1st (online or in person) meeting serves as an introduction where we introduce ourselves to you and you to us. You may be asked to give a short presentation. This will be further explained in the invitation.

Step 4

2nd interview. In the second interview, we will further discuss the job content, your skills and your talents.

Step 5

The offer. If the conversations are positive, you will be made a suitable offer.

Your Colleagues

Haanstra, W. (Willem)

Personal page

Kuipers, M.R. (Marleen)

Personal page LinkedIn

Our mission Human Touch

At the UT it's all about people, in line with our university's High Tech Human Touch philosophy. In everything we do, the well-being and future of our students and staff are paramount. From research and teaching to personnel management, campus management and the use of new technologies.

Our mission We are a university of technology

Our university is a public institution that serves society. We are accountable to society for the ways in which we use our academic freedom. We are responsible for ensuring that the power of science and technology is harnessed to achieve the best possible impact in a changing world. We cherish our rich tradition of combining technical and social sciences in our five profiling themes: Improving healthcare by personalized technologies; Creating intelligent manufacturing systems; Shaping our world with smart materials; Engineering our digital society; and Engineering for a resilient world.

Our mission We help to strengthen society

We help society meet the challenges of today and tomorrow. But we are also transparent about what science and technology can and cannot do in finding sustainable solutions. And help translate these solutions into everyday life.

Our mission We are sustainable

We want our communities to flourish and show resilience, so we seize opportunities for innovation. We are knowledgeable and have an eye for what society needs. Our students and staff receive all the guidance they need in their quest for ecological, social and economic sustainability. “The University of Twente is all about people. Our sustainable technologies help to strengthen society.”

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