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!
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:
- Digital Twin architecture: develop an architectural blueprint for a smart construction site and a Carbon Digital Twin that can manage disruptions in real time. A data platform should enable integration between different data sources and services, rapidly detecting disruptions and anomalies.
- Data analysis: create a dynamic (sensor) monitoring and analytics system that can anticipate logistics disruptions and adjust execution in real time to achieve better efficiency and lower emissions. Advanced AI techniques (e.g., computer vision and machine learning), and Digital Twin technology can be used to enable anticipatory and adaptive logistics planning.
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
- Collaborate closely with our industrial partners, defining design requirements and pushing the boundaries of sustainable construction supply chain solutions
- Pioneer the development of a Carbon Digital Twin model for disruption management, driven by the transformation of IoT and AI technology
- Create prototypes that showcase the potential for increasing efficiency while reducing emissions and energy consumption, surpassing current practices
- Empower the world with smart services for monitoring and reducing carbon emissions from construction sites, charting a path towards a more sustainable and self-reliant future.
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:
- a motivation letter, emphasizing your specific interest and motivation to apply for this position, also indicating for which doctoral position you apply (i.e., PhD, EngD or both) (maximum 2 pages A4).
- a resume, including a publication list (if any)
- MSc grade sheet in a pdf document
- Contact details of at least two academic references (such as the supervisor of your MSc thesis/final project)
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.
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.