The aim of the project “BRIdging Data in the built Environment” (BRIDE) is to explore the role of public infrastructures in making and re-making of cities and social life in them. By utilizing the digital technology to create smart public infrastructures combined with philosophical theory of technology, we will engage in the design and construction of an IoT-enabled 3d printed bridge in Amsterdam and investigating its role and embedding in the city .

Building on Saskia Sassen’s concept of cityness, the BRIDE project aims to understand how designers, technologists, and citizens can utilise rapid urban manufacturing and IoT technologies for designing urban space that express its intelligence from the intersection of people, places, activities and technology, not merely from the presence of cutting-edge technology.

For more information on the bridge project, please refer to: mx3d.com/projects/bridge/

The PhD research at the University of Twente focuses on (big) data analytics, algorithms, and techniques to provide real-time insights into the behaviour and use of the 3D printed bridge, its interaction with the citizens, and the surrounding public space. The data being collected by system of sensors attached to, embedded in the 3D printed structure, and installed in the vicinity of the bridge in combination with open source data will be used to investigate, among other things, how well the bridge is used and how well its fulfill its function as a connecting element.

The PhD research at University of Twente will be carried out in close collaboration with the project partners at TU Delft and MX3D (Amsterdam). The PhD project will be jointly supervised by Peter-Paul Verbeek (Department of Philosophy) and Nirvana Meratnia (Department of Computer Science). Michael Nagenborg (Department of Philosophy) will be one of the daily supervisors.

For additional information regarding this position, please contact Dr. Michael Nagenborg(m.h.nagenborg@utwente.nl). Your application should include a CV, a letter of application and can be uploaded via the link below. The application deadline is May, 31st, 2018. Interviews will be held in June. Since only three documents can be uploaded per application, please combine documents if needed.

A four-year full-time PhD position, starting July, 2018 (preferred) or August, 1st, 2018. The gross salary is € 2.222,- per month in the first year going up to € 2.840,- in the fourth year.  On top of this, you receive a holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary and an 8.3% end-of-year bonus. We offer excellent auxiliary terms of employment, such as professional and personal development programs; a secondary remuneration package; a dynamic environment with enthusiastic colleagues; an organization focusing on internationalization and a high degree of responsibility and independence.

The University of Twente. We stand for life sciences and technology. High tech and human touch. Education and research that matter. New technology which leads change, innovation and progress in society. The University of Twente is the only campus university of the Netherlands; divided over five faculties we provide more than fifty educational programmes. We have a strong focus on personal development and talented researchers are given scope for carrying out groundbreaking research.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability status. Because of our diversity values we do particularly support women to apply.

Faculty of Behavioural, Management and Social sciences
The Faculty of Behavioural, Management and Social sciences (BMS) strives to play a pivotal role in understanding, co-engineering and evaluating innovation in society. Innovation is driven by advances in technology. Through 'social engineering' these technological advances are embedded in society befitting human needs and behaviour, within proper public and private management and business structures. For this the faculty of BMS upholds high quality disciplinary knowledge in psychology, business administration, public administration, communication science, philosophy, educational science and health sciences. All with a focus on the challenges in society. Research is strongly connected to our Institutes on Governance (IGS), ICT (CTIT), Health (MIRA) and Nanotechnology (MESA+).