A position is available for a PhD Candidate at the TU Delft Industrial Design Engineering (IDE) Faculty in the area of data-driven design methodologies. The candidate will be located in the Cardiolab, one of the design labs in Delft. Delft Design labs are initiatives in which TU Delft students, researchers and practitioners collaboratively develop new designs, knowledge, and skills in a particular context (e.g. cardiology). The partners of the Cardiolab are Philips Design, De Hartstichting and the IDE faculty of the TU Delft.

Cardiolab is a programme of strategic design research and innovation projects. The aim of these innovation projects is to develop strategic concepts for prevention and integrated care for cardiovascular diseases.

The projects run by the Cardiolab rely on smart solutions that are based on new technologies for data collection, analysis, transfer, and feedback. These technologies will allow systems to capture and interpret data from the users and their context.

Implementing these technologies in the field of cardiology introduces a number of challenges for designers. Designers have little experience with the design of smart systems and the (big) data generated by smart systems, for example. Moreover, it is unknown how big data could complement more qualitative use data that designers normally use during design processes. The PhD project aims to solve these challenges by developing new design competencies - based on new capabilities, tools, and methods - that support design activities for smart, integrated solutions.

To develop such new competencies, the PhD researcher will use a ‘research-through-design’ methodology, meaning that s/he will be designing actual concepts within the Cardiolab. From reflections on the approach taken, the PhD researcher will learn which new competencies are needed, within the context of cardiovascular disease and its prevention.

Candidates who would like to apply should meet an interesting cross-section of the following requirements:
• Master or an equivalent degree in design or a related design discipline;
• Motivation to do high-quality scientific research;
• Affinity with data-enabled design, digital innovation, and design methodologies;
• Ability to design impactful smart solutions in the context of cardiology;
• Expertise in and affinity with research-through-design and qualitative research methods.
• Ability to work comfortably with other members of the Cardiolab, including employees of Philips Design, De Hartstichting and (students of) the TU Delft
• Mental flexibility and strong communication skills for collaborating with partners and performing research in a field setting;
• Proficiency in written and spoken English;
• Academic writing skills.

Fixed-term contract: 4 years.

The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, a discount for health insurance and sport memberships, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged. An International Children’s Centre offers childcare and an international primary school. Dual Career Services offers support to accompanying partners. Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities.
As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment; an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor; and a Doctoral Education Programme aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills. Please visit www.graduateschool.tudelft.nl for more information.

For more information about this position, please contact Maaike Kleinsmann, phone: +31 (0)15-2788657, e-mail: m.s.kleinsmann@tudelft.nl.

For more information on the application procedures and the proposal form, please send an email to secretariaat-pim@tudelft.nl. Applications should be sent before the 1st of September to secretariaat-pim@tudelft.nl.
When applying for this position, please refer to vacancy number AT/IO-0742.

Delft University of Technology

Delft University of Technology (the TU Delft) is a multifaceted institution offering education and carrying out research in the technical sciences at an internationally recognised level. Education, research and design are strongly oriented towards applicability. The TU Delft develops technologies for future generations, focusing on sustainability, safety and economic vitality. At the TU Delft you will work in an environment where technical sciences and society converge. The TU Delft comprises eight faculties, unique laboratories, research institutes and schools.

Industrial Design Engineering

The main researchers in Cardiolab are from the Management and Organisation (M&O) group, which belongs to the Product Innovation Management Department of the IDE Faculty. The research of the M&O group focuses on the role of design in product and service innovation. The group has a long-standing interest in the role of design(ers) in organisations, with a specific focus on the role of design in innovation. The group mainly works on research projects in which they actively participate in open innovation questions in a multi-stakeholder context. In these projects, they persistently broaden and deepen the innovation challenges. The group does this with the aim of developing a better understanding of the role of design and developing new design processes, tools, and methodologies. The research of the M&O group has strong links with industry and a large impact in the world of design research.