The department Biomedical Signals and Systems/Telemedicine of the University of Twente (UT) has a vacancy for a PhD. This position is funded by a recently awarded grant from the EU for the project 'Pharaon’, a collaboration between the UT, Roessingh Research and Development, Stichting Nationaal Ouderenfonds and Adsysco but also with many European partners. Within the project we are responsible for the co-creation and pre-validation of technologies that

1. help to reduce social isolation of elderly and loneliness and
2. enrich eating practices of elderly to lower the chance of malnutrition.

Together we seek to increase mobility of elderly and promote sufficient, happier and healthier food intake at home and/or at care facilities.

Your research will focus on the co-creation and pre-validation of technologies and platforms for Dutch elderly citizens and includes:

• Setting up an iterative co-creation process with local end-users.
• Qualitative study of user requirements, wishes and concerns.
• Conceptual development of interactive technologies / eHealth / installations.
• Pre-validate technologies provided by partners with stakeholders and local end-users.
• Helping to create guidelines for co-creation with elderly.

• You have affinity with the societal and scientific challenges related to the aging population (social inclusion, eating, mobility);
• You hold a master’s degree in Interaction Technology, Industrial Design, Biomedical Sciences, Computer Science, Behavioral science, Technical medicine or a similar expertise;
• You are very compatible with both the social sciences as well as the technological field;
• You are dedicated, outgoing and communicative;
• You have excellent analytical skills and an innate ability for solution oriented problem solving;
• You have expertise in working in multidisciplinary teams and are a great teammate with good communication skills;
• Because you will work with Dutch end-users we ask proficiency in both English and Dutch, spoken and written.

INFORMATION AND APPLICATION

For inquiries about this position and our offer you can contact Dr. Femke Nijboer (femke.nijboer@utwente.nl). Candidates should upload their application before December 3rd, 2019 by using the application button on the UT website, including a short motivation letter and CV. An assessment can be part of the application procedure.

The UT offers a stimulating work environment in an area of applied, forefront research and provides strong and inspiring collaboration with the medical field and the other organisations involved in this project.

As a PhD student at the UT, you will be appointed on a fulltime position for four years, with a qualifier in the first year. Salary and conditions are in accordance with the collective labour agreement for Dutch universities (CAO- NU) and include a salary ranging from €2.325,- gross per month at the start to €2.972,- in the fourth year. We offer excellent benefits including a holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary, a year-end bonus of 8.3% and a good pension scheme. A training program in which you and your supervisor will make up a plan for additional suitable education and supervision. Finally, we encourage a high degree of responsibility and independence, while collaborating with close colleagues, researchers and other university staff.

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.

The faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EEMCS) comprises three disciplines that shape Information and Communication Technology. ICT is more than communication. In almost every product we use mathematics, electronics and computer technology and ICT now contributes to all of societies' activities. The faculty works together intensively with industrial partners and researchers in the Netherlands and abroad and conducts extensive research for external commissioning parties and funders. The research which enjoys a high profile both at home and internationally, has been accommodated in the multidisciplinary research institutes: Mesa+ Institute, TechMed Centra and Digital Society Institute.