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PhD position on Digital Twin for Sustainable construction sites and logistics

Are you passionate about creating a greener future? Are you ready to apply your expertise to solve real-world sustainability challenges in the construction sector and are eager to develop a Carbon Digital Twin? Do you have a background in computer science, business & IT, or electrical engineering? If so, we have the perfect opportunity for you!

Apply now
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Key takeaways

  • Hours
    40 hr.
  • Salary indication
    Salary gross/monthly
    based on full-time
    € 2,770 - € 3,539
  • Deadline
    5 Jan 2024

The University of Twente is seeking a PhD candidate to develop an innovative integrated smart and sustainable system for the construction sector by leveraging Digital Twin and IoT technologies.

As a doctoral candidate, you will work on developing a Carbon Digital Twin that uses data-driven insights and advanced AI techniques to optimize resources and minimize the carbon footprint of construction operations.

Multiple doctoral candidate positions are available, with a focus on one of the following areas:

You will work in close collaboration with companies, defining design requirements and working on a Carbon Digital Twin model for environmental footprint modeling and simulation. The overall goal is to develop a prototype demonstrating the potential for anticipatory disruption management, opening new avenues for improving operational efficiency and lowering emission and energy consumption. The knowledge and experience gained from this position will place you at the forefront of sustainable construction research and technology. This project is a collaboration between the Department of Pervasive Systems (EEMCS faculty) jointly with the Department of Industrial Engineering and Business Information Systems (BMS faculty) at the University of Twente.

The challenge

Your profile

We are seeking a motivated and visionary doctoral candidate to join our team in addressing the critical challenge of minimizing the environmental footprint while optimizing operations. In this unique position, you will play a key role in developing innovative designs and prototypes that contribute to more efficient construction sites.

Two types of positions are available in this project, EngD and PhD. EngD is a practical-oriented professional doctorate in engineering which is suited to the direct needs of industry and takes two years to complete, whereas a PhD track focuses on scientific research, and takes 4 years to complete. For the PhD position, we are looking for:

  • Enthusiastic and ambitious colleagues who are passionate about sustainability, logistics, and/or construction/built environment;
  • You have a Master’s degree in the field of Computer Science, Embedded Systems, Business & IT, or related discipline with a proven affinity for multidisciplinary assignments;
  • You have experience in relevant areas such as signal processing, computer vision, embedded systems, data analysis, machine learning and deep learning.
  • You have a good command of English (C1; above IELTS 7 or equivalent)
  • Candidates should be interested in solving analytical tasks and developing prototypes, combined with intermediate programming skills (e.g., in Python or C-something)
  • A high degree of responsibility and independence is expected, while collaboration with close colleagues, researchers, and other university staff is strongly encouraged;
  • Moreover, we are looking for a strong personality to defend your ideas not only at university but also in an industrial context.

If an EngD position suits you more, then please have a look at the other vacancy available within this project through this link.

Our offer

  • As a PhD candidate at UT, you will be appointed to a full-time position for four years, with a qualifier in the first year, within a very stimulating and exciting scientific environment;
  • The University offers a dynamic ecosystem with enthusiastic colleagues;
  • Your salary and associated conditions are in accordance with the collective labour agreement for Dutch universities (CAO-NU);
  • You will receive a gross monthly salary ranging from € 2.770,- (first year) to € 3.539,- (fourth year);
  • There are excellent benefits including a holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary, an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%, and a solid pension scheme;
  • The flexibility to work (partially) from home;
  • A minimum of 232 leave hours in case of full-time employment based on a formal workweek of 38 hours. A full-time employment in practice means 40 hours a week, therefore resulting in 96 extra leave hours on an annual basis.
  • Free access to sports facilities on campus
  • A family-friendly institution that offers parental leave (both paid and unpaid);
  • You will have a training programme as part of the Twente Graduate School where you and your supervisors will determine a plan for a suitable education and supervision;
  • We encourage a high degree of responsibility and independence while collaborating with close colleagues, researchers and other staff.

Information and application

Are you interested after reading about this vacancy? Applications for this position will be reviewed on a rolling horizon. The vacancy will remain open until we identify and onboard suitable candidates. Early applications are encouraged as positions may be filled before the vacancy's official closure. You can apply for these positions before January 6th, 2023, by clicking the ‘apply now’ button below. Please include:

For further information about this position, please contact ir. R.H. Bemthuis, r.h.bemthuis@utwente.nl or Prof. Dr. Paul Havinga, p.j.m.havinga@utwente.nl.

The selection procedure includes an interview and possibly a presentation.

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About the department

The Pervasive Systems research group is a global pioneer in research and innovation in pervasive computing systems. We foresee a future in which the physical and virtual/digital worlds will intertwine, and that will be founded on data, connectivity, and intelligence. Seamless integration of computing with the physical world via sensors and actuators and computing systems can lead to a sustainable world.

Our mission is delivering fundamental smart sensing solutions for practical problems to provide society with higher living standards, greater safety, more comfort, and efficiency in a sustainable world. This can be reflected in relevant application areas including smart mobility, health care, sports, biodiversity and environmental monitoring.

We develop groundbreaking innovative and smart sensing solutions in several application domains that can have an impact on society. The combination of our leadership in smart sensing systems, wireless networking technologies, embedded AI and computer vision expertise is what makes us unique.

About the organisation

The faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EEMCS) uses mathematics, electronics and computer technology to contribute to the development of Information and Communication Technology (ICT). With ICT present in almost every device and product we use nowadays, we embrace our role as contributors to a broad range of societal activities and as pioneers of tomorrow's digital society. As part of a people-first tech university that aims to shape society, individuals and connections, our faculty works together intensively with industrial partners and researchers in the Netherlands and abroad, and conducts extensive research for external commissioning parties and funders. Our research has a high profile both in the Netherlands and internationally. It has been accommodated in three multidisciplinary UT research institutes: Mesa+ Institute, TechMed Centre and Digital Society Institute.

Want to know more?

Bemthuis, R.H. (Rob)

Bemthuis, R.H. (Rob)
Researcher

Bemthuis, R.H. (Rob)
Researcher

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

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.

Apply now

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

About the faculty EEMCS

Curious about what the faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EEMCS) stands for? Check out the EEMCS website for more information.

A job that matters

Create new opportunities for yourself, your colleagues and our society. Scientist or teacher, administrator or facilitator, thinker or doer, energetic leader or silent support – your work at the University of Twente matters. And you too!

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