Insurance companies play a key role in financial markets—not by generating direct monetary value, but by underwriting and managing risk. Through the design and management of insurance portfolios, they help shape value creation and carry a growing responsibility to consider Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors. As regulatory, societal, and market pressures mount, insurers face a clear need to integrate ESG considerations into their decision-making processes—not just in risk selection, but also in pricing, underwriting, and portfolio optimization.
Despite the growing relevance of ESG in insurance, there is no widely adopted, data-driven framework that integrates ESG metrics into customer portfolio decision-making. Current practices are typically qualitative and ad hoc, which limits comparability and transparency across clients, especially in commercial insurance contexts. This PhD project aims to develop a structured and scalable decision framework that leverages AI to incorporate measurable ESG indicators alongside traditional financial risk factors. The envisioned framework will be dynamic, allowing ESG factors to be weighted and adjusted in response to evolving business priorities or regulatory demands, and will offer explainability to support both operational use and strategic planning.
On the customer side, the research will focus on how ESG indicators can be meaningfully embedded into portfolio assessments and risk models. For instance, should a construction firm that actively reduces its environmental impact be treated more favourably than one with a higher emissions profile, even if both present similar financial risk? Addressing such multi-criteria decision-making scenarios is key for ensuring that insurance offerings not only reflect financial performance but also incentivize sustainable practices among commercial clients.
At the same time, ESG decision-making also applies internally within insurance companies. For example, migrating to cloud-based infrastructure for storing insurance policies can enhance operational efficiency, yet it also increases energy consumption in data centers—elevating the company's carbon footprint through electricity usage and data redundancy. By developing a structured, quantitative, and scalable ESG framework, this project will support insurance companies in evaluating both external and internal ESG trade-offs, enabling a shift from intuition-based decisions to transparent, evidence-based sustainability strategies.
The desired start date for this position is 1 September 2025.
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Information and application
Are you interested after reading about this vacancy? Applications for this position will be reviewed on a rolling basis. The vacancy will remain open until we find and onboard the right candidate. Early applications are encouraged as positions may be filled before the vacancy's official closure. You can apply for this position before June 30, 2025, by clicking the ‘apply now’ button below. Please include:
Required Documents
1. Cover letter (max. 2 pages), emphasizing your specific interest, qualifications, and motivations to apply for this position. Clearly indicate your preferred position in the letter (i.e., PhD or EngD).
2. A Curriculum Vitae, including a list of all courses attended and grades obtained, and, if applicable, a list of publications and references.
3. An IELTS-test, Internet TOEFL test (TOEFL-iBT), or a Cambridge CAE-C (CPE). Applicants with a non-Dutch qualification and who have not had secondary and tertiary education in English can only be admitted with an IELTS-test showing a total band score of at least 6.5, internet. TOEFL test (TOEFL-iBT) showing a score of at least 90, or a Cambridge CAE-C (CPE).
While online participation is possible, in-person attendance at Achmea in Apeldoorn on that day is preferred. It will begin with an informal introductory conversation, possibly followed by a more in-depth meeting with representatives of the University of Twente. In the final phase, the focus will shift to a discussion with stakeholders at Achmea to explore alignment with the project’s industry-oriented objectives.
Additional information can be acquired via email from Marcos Machado (m.r.machado@utwente.nl) or Rob Bemthuis (r.h.bemthuis@utwente.nl). Please do not send applications to this email address.
About the organisation
At the Faculty of Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences (BMS), we unite the worlds of people and technology to address today’s complex societal challenges. We are passionate about understanding human behaviour, fostering responsible innovation, and designing solutions that create societal value. Our educational programmes span disciplines such as Psychology, Business Administration, Public Administration, Communication Sciences, Philosophy, Educational Sciences, and Health Sciences. Through our bachelor’s and master’s degrees, Professional Learning & Development programmes, and interdisciplinary research themes – including Emerging Technologies & Societal Transformations, Resilience, Smart Industry, Learning, and Health – we empower students and researchers to make a positive societal impact.
At BMS, we combine critical thinking with practical action. From advancing sustainable mobility with innovations like the world’s most efficient hydrogen car to shaping policies that promote digital inclusion, our work contributes to a healthier, fairer, and more sustainable future. Whether it’s exploring how technology influences human behaviour or leveraging data and innovation to transform industries and communities, we ensure that technology serves people – and not the other way around.
As an employer, BMS offers a vibrant, inclusive, and entrepreneurial environment where you can thrive personally and professionally. Join us and become part of a forward-thinking community that equips you to shape the future – for yourself and society. With us, you will become part of a leading technical university with increasing, positive social impact.
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