We are seeking a highly motivated and curious PhD candidate to contribute to the design of forward and reverse supply chains for additive manufacturing in maintenance. The successful candidate will join the Industrial Engineering and Management Sciences (IEMS) section within the High-tech Business & Entrepreneurship (HBE) department of the Faculty of Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences.
This PhD position is part of ADD-reAM, a large multidisciplinary project focused on repair and remanufacturing using Additive Manufacturing, involving 18 researchers across 7 universities. Additive Manufacturing (AM) is increasingly applied in repair and remanufacturing; however, integrating AM into supply chains demands new models and methods.
In this PhD project, you will:
- develop dynamic supply chain design models that enable the repositioning of AM equipment based on Defence requirements in conflict zones and other industrial contexts;
- investigate optimal levels within the product structure for deploying AM in repair and spare parts support;
- integrate forward and reverse flows in manufacturing and maintenance environments;
- optimize strategies for part repair and replacement using AM, including consolidation and direct repair options;
- collaborate on real-life case studies from the Ministry of Defence and other consortium partners (e.g., GKN, ProRail).
Information and application
Are you interested in joining our team? Please submit your application before 11 October, 2025 and include:
- A cover letter (maximum 2 pages A4), emphasizing your specific interest, qualifications, and motivations to apply for this position;
- A Curriculum Vitae, including a list of all courses attended and grades obtained, and, if applicable, a list of publications and references;
- 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, TOEFL Internet-based Test (TOEFL iBT) showing a score of at least 90, or a Cambridge CAE-C (CPE).
Additional information can be acquired via email from Dr. Engin Topan (e.topan@utwente.nl) and Dr. Matthieu van der Heijden (m.c.vanderheijden@utwente.nl).
About the department
The HBE department is dedicated to encouraging a supportive and inclusive working culture. Our aim is that all job applicants are given equal opportunities. When we select candidates for employment, it will be on the basis of their competence and ability. To support workforce diversity, we are open to offering flexible working conditions on an individual basis to support work-life balance, which may include contract of employment, working hours and location, or child care arrangements.
The High Business Entrepreneurship corporate video can be watched via this link
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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