PhD position in Data-Driven Circular and Sustainable Supply Chains for Advanced Semiconductors

Background
Semiconductors drive transformative advancements across manufacturing and other sectors, enabling efficiency, innovation, and automation. However, their production and supply chains face critical challenges:

Electronics Chips: These silicon-based chips are versatile and cost-effective, making them essential for industrial automation, IoT-enabled systems, and smart manufacturing processes. However, their energy-intensive production and poor recycling create long-term sustainability concerns, especially as demand continues to grow.

Photonics Chips: With ultra-fast data transmission capabilities, these chips are vital for applications like high-speed communication networks, precision manufacturing, and real-time monitoring in industrial systems. Yet, their production requires significant energy and scarce materials, which complicates scalability and raises sustainability issues.

Quantum Chips: Quantum chips, with revolutionary applications in advanced simulations, secure communication, and optimization of supply chains, face significant barriers due to their reliance on rare materials and complex cooling systems. These challenges hinder their broader adoption in manufacturing and other industries.

The Netherlands leads in semiconductor innovations, with the University of Twente pioneering breakthroughs like on-chip quantum entanglement and integration of photonics and electronics. These innovations drive energy efficiency, speed placing Twente at the forefront of sustainable semiconductor technology.

The challenge Despite advancements, the semiconductor industry faces interconnected challenges:

1. Resource Scarcity: Reliance on rare materials like gallium and indium heightens supply chain fragility.
2. Environmental Impact: High emissions and e-waste demand urgent solutions in energy efficiency and recycling.
3. Supply Chain Vulnerability: Over-centralized production hubs and fragmented logistics intensify disruptions during crises.
4. Transparency Gaps: Weak accountability hinders ethical sourcing and regulatory compliance.

Your Role
Your role will involve creating a data-driven digital framework that fosters circular and sustainable practices in semiconductor supply chains. Leveraging advanced techno-economics, qualitative analysis, and data tools, your work will revolutionize sustainability in the industry.

Develop Circular Models: Incorporate closed-loop recycling and Life Cycle Assessments (LCA).

Enhance Supply Chain Resilience: Use predictive analytics to diversify production hubs and strengthen logistics.

Innovate for Sustainability: Optimize energy efficiency using AI tools and reduce emissions.

Foster Transparency: Implement real-time tracking and blockchain-based tools to ensure ethical practices.

Impact Alignment
This research aligns with the University of Twente’s key societal impact areas: safety, climate, and chip technology. By advancing sustainable manufacturing techniques and fostering circularity, this project contributes to a more resilient semiconductor industry that supports innovation.

We look for a highly motivated, enthusiastic researcher who is driven by curiosity and has/is:

• A master’s degree or equivalent in industrial engineering, systems engineering, computer science, information systems, artificial intelligence, operations research, digital twins, high-tech techno-economics, or econometrics or a related field, with a strong focus on semiconductors or chips;
• Affinity and/or experience about sustainable supply chain, circular economy, digital twins, information systems, econometrics, life cycle assessment, techno-economics, and/or industrial symbiosis;
• Proficiency in quantitative and qualitative analysis;
• A good team spirit and like to work in an interdisciplinary and internationally oriented environment;
• Able to do independent research and willing to develop writing and publication skills;
• Exhibit a strong passion and possess outstanding skills in programming, life cycle assessment, economic analysis, information system, and/or digital artifact prototyping;
• Possess good communication skills and an excellent command of English (valid GMAT or GRE Score is a plus).

We encourage high responsibility and independence, while collaborating with colleagues, researchers, other university staff and partners. We follow the terms of employment by the Dutch Collective Labour Agreement for Universities (CAO). Our offer contains: a fulltime 4-year PhD position with a qualifier in the first year; excellent mentorship in a stimulating research environment with excellent facilities; and a personal development program within the Twente Graduate School. It also includes:

• Gross monthly salary of € 2.901 in the first year, increasing each year up to € 3.707 in the fourth year;
• Excellent benefits including a holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary, an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%, and a solid pension scheme;
• 29 holidays per year in case of full-time employment;
• A training programme as part of the Twente Graduate School where you and your supervisors will determine a plan for a suitable education and supervision;
• A green campus with free access to sports facilities and an international scientific community;
• A family-friendly institution that offers parental leave (both paid and unpaid);
• A full status as an employee at the UT, including pension, health care benefits and good secondary conditions are part of our collective labour agreement CAO-NU for Dutch universities.

The HBE cluster 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 the workforce diversity, we are open to offer flexible working conditions on an individual basis to support work-life balance, that may include contract of employment, working hours and location, or child care arrangements.

Please have a look at this video to learn about our wider HBE department:

The High Business Entrepreneurship corporate video can be watched via this link

Are you interested to be part of our team? Please submit your application latest 4 April 2025 and include:

• A research proposal (maximum 2 pages A4), emphasizing your specific interest, research version for the topic;
• A Curriculum Vitae, including a list of all courses attended and grades obtained, and, if applicable, a list of publications and references;
• A statement to show your alignment with the required profile.
• 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).

Please ensure that your application is submitted by the deadline. Email applications will not be considered. The recruitment is on a rolling basis: While the applications are monitored, if we detect suitable candidates, we will invite those candidates to interviews without waiting for the deadline.

For more information, contact:

• Primary contact: Dr. Hao Chen (h.chen-3@utwente.nl)
• Dr. Dipl.-Ing. M. Sharma (m.sharma@utwente.nl)
• Dr. D.M. Yazan (d.m.yazan@utwente.nl)