Join our PhD program to develop a digital twin framework for safer, more resilient critical infrastructure
Job description
Context and Motivation
The industrial sector, including manufacturing, is the third-largest energy consumer in the European Union, accounting for approximately 25% of final energy consumption. As electricity prices rise and new EU-wide sustainability regulations are introduced, such as those addressing energy reporting, emissions transparency, and climate compliance, manufacturers face growing pressure to upgrade infrastructure and improve energy consumption.
To remain competitive and compliant, manufacturers need to understand when, where, and how energy is used, and how it can be optimized for cost savings, sustainability, and operational resilience. However, the path forward is uncertain: What green energy sources are viable? How should infrastructure and operations be reconfigured to meet new sustainability goals? What kind of data and decision support is required?
Research Aim
This PhD project aims to apply systems engineering methodologies to develop an integrated decision-support system for energy-aware and regulation-compliant manufacturing, based on one or more representative industrial use cases.
The successful candidate will be expected to:
- Select and define one or more industrial use cases, including Identification of relevant sustainability requirements and regulations, definition of reconfiguration strategies and KPIs at strategic, tactical, and operational levels.
- Model and analyze key system variables, including change drivers (e.g., regulation, cost, technology) and sources of uncertainty, system architecture and functional interactions using systems engineering tools.
- Design a data infrastructure and monitoring layer that integrates Internal factory-level data, external regulatory and environmental data sources.
- Develop a decision-support framework for real-time and scenario-based energy management, and for strategic and operational planning for energy usage and infrastructure adaptation.
Teaching activities are part of your PhD trajectory and may include, for example: supervising workgroups or lab sessions, assisting in courses, or mentoring BSc and MSc students. While teaching will not be your main responsibility, it offers valuable experience that supports your development and prepares you for future academic or professional roles. Teaching activities will not exceed 20% of your total appointment, averaged over the course of your PhD.
Job requirements
We welcome applications from candidates with a Master's degree in one or more of the following fields:
- Mechanical Engineering.
- Energy Engineering.
- Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering.
- Systems Engineering or related disciplines.
Desired qualifications and characteristics:
- Solid analytical and systems thinking skills.
- Familiarity with modeling and simulation tools.
- Interest in sustainable manufacturing and energy systems.
- Proactive, curious, and collaborative mindset.
- Willingness to engage with industrial partners and international research networks.
TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)
Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context.
At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.
Challenge. Change. Impact!
Faculty Mechanical Engineering
From chip to ship. From machine to human being. From idea to solution. Driven by a deep-rooted desire to understand our environment and discover its underlying mechanisms, research and education at the ME faculty focusses on fundamental understanding, design, production including application and product improvement, materials, processes and (mechanical) systems.
ME is a dynamic and innovative faculty with high-tech lab facilities and international reach. It's a large faculty but also versatile, so we can often make unique connections by combining different disciplines. This is reflected in ME's outstanding, state-of-the-art education, which trains students to become responsible and socially engaged engineers and scientists. We translate our knowledge and insights into solutions to societal issues, contributing to a sustainable society and to the development of prosperity and well-being. That is what unites us in pioneering research, inspiring education and (inter)national cooperation.
will introduce you to some of our researchers and their work.
Conditions of employment
Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1,5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months. Followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2,5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met.
Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from € 2901per month in the first year to € 3707 in the fourth year. As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills.
The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.
Coming to Delft ServiceDual Career Programme is available, to support your accompanying partner with their job search in the Netherlands.
Additional information
Application procedure
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Het salaris bedraagt €2901 - €3707