The prime objective for this research is to conduct scientific research on integration beyond the combination of system elements. The research focuses on design challenges for multi-disciplinary design methods and management systems. The outcome will contribute to address the societal challenges, economic trends and industry needs for public transport and intelligent Traffic Systems.

With the support of industrial partners, you researcher will engaged with real challenges for integration in the complex, dynamic, and multi stakeholder environment for the rail sector. You will be able to develop theories and test them on cases including the European Rail Traffic Management Systems (ERTMS). This research starts with development of technological platforms that support integration in system of systems. For this purpose, Model Based Systems Engineering is a fundamental technology enabler that we utilize to build our framework. In order to make interoperable systems, not only hardware and software but also human factors and culture play roles. Review of the best practices, incorporation of regulations, and integration policy are among the tasks foreseen for this study. The project aims to design and construct a framework that co-engineers integration in early project lifecycle for achieving best performances at the system level.

This project is the result of collaboration between University of Twente (UT), ProRail, Dutch Railways (NS) and High Tech Materials and Systems (HTSM). You will work in this project with other team members. You will be able to present or publish your results at international scientific conferences and journals. In the course of your research you will have the possibility to tutor MSc students who do their final assignment on sub projects pertaining to your research.

• You have obtained a MSc in Systems Engineering or another filed relevant to the position with interest in management and leadership.
• Prior knowledge and experience on MBSE and implementation of safety standards is a plus.
• As the project requires interaction with experts in NS, your fluency at Dutch is an advantage.
• We welcome candidates with strong communication skills who like to present their work at conferences and (project) meetings.
• Fluency in English is required, both spoken and written. (We require a TOEFL > 90 or IELTS > 6.5 score).
• Teaching experience is beneficial.

The PhD project will be executed at the faculty of Engineering Technology under the Design, Production and Management (DPM) department, a team of approximately 65 academics and PhD’s which deal with the topics including but not limited to Human-Centered Design, Integrated Life Cycle Management, Multidisciplinary System Design and Maintenance. Prof. Leo van Dongen holds the chair of maintenance, and this research will be carried out under the supervision of Dr. Mohammad Rajabali Nejad. For more information on the research at the DPM department, please visit https://www.utwente.nl/et/dpm.

For additional information regarding this position, you can contact Dr.ir. Mohammad Rajabali Nejad: m.rajabalinejad@utwente.nl.

You can submit your application, including a recent CV and your vision statement, before September 15, 2018 using the link below.

• We provide excellent mentorship and a stimulating research environment with excellent facilities;
• You are offered a professional and personal development program within Graduate School Twente;
• A starting salary of € 2.266 gross per month in the first year and a salary of € 2.897 in the fourth year gross per month;
• A holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary and a year-end bonus of 8.3%;
• A solid pension scheme;
• Minimum of 29 holidays per year in case of fulltime employment.

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 Engineering Technology (ET) is one of the five faculties of the University of Twente. ET combines Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering and Industrial Design Engineering. Our faculty has approximately 1800 bachelor and master students, 400 employees and 150 PhD candidates. The departments of the faculty cooperatively conduct the educational programmes and participate in interdisciplinary research projects, programmes and the research institutes: MIRA, CTIT, SBE and IGS.