PhD on Computational growth and remodeling of cartilage microtissues

Introduction
Are you fascinated by scientific and technological innovations in mechano-driven cartilage tissue engineering? Are you driven to develop novel in silico frameworks that deepen mechanistic understanding of tissue growth and inform in vitro experiments? Then you might be our next PhD candidate!

Job Description
Functional and durable regeneration of articular cartilage is still an unsolved challenge, despite the growing clinical and socioeconomic burden. In recent years, developmentally inspired tissue engineering (TE) approaches, relying on the assembly of self-organizing microtissue-based building blocks into larger constructs, have emerged as promising avenues for cartilage regeneration. However, this typically results in a larger tissue with a disorganized matrix architecture, not resembling native cartilage. To unlock the full potential of microtissue-based TE, a deeper understanding is needed of how these microtissues remodel and fuse their matrices as they grow, and how this is governed by their mechanical microenvironment. As a PhD candidate, you will develop novel computational tools to elucidate these phenomena.

This PhD project aims to develop a computational growth and remodeling (G&R) framework to investigate how cartilage microtissue growth dynamics, matrix composition, and (anisotropic) matrix architecture are influenced by the mechanical and geometric properties of their environment. These computational models can provide crucial mechanistic insights into the key parameters governing these processes, inform targeted in vitro experiments, and help design better biomaterials and TE strategies that harness mechanics and geometry. As a PhD candidate, you will adopt and extend in-house homogenized constrained-mixture (finite element) models for cardiovascular tissues towards simulating cartilage G&R. You will then simulate cartilage microtissues growing inside engineered, confining microenvironments and investigate the key parameters influencing the growth process, with a primary focus on anisotropic matrix organization. While this project is entirely computational in nature, you will collaborate closely with experimental researchers working with cartilage microtissues and engineered biomaterials, e.g. for tuning and validating the computational models, and for informing new in vitro experiments.

As a PhD candidate, you will become an integral part of a dynamic and multidisciplinary environment of engineers, biologists, and clinicians across seniority levels, driving innovation in regenerative medicine. An educational and professional development program will be offered to you, and you will contribute to teaching activities and supervision of BSc and MSc students. You will be expected to present your PhD research at (inter-)national scientific conferences, publish in scientific journals, and complete a doctoral dissertation.

Embedding
This PhD project will be integrally based within two research groups of the Department of Biomedical Engineering: the Orthopaedic Biomechanics (OPB) group and the Modeling in Mechanobiology (MMB) group. You will be supervised by Dr. Sebastien Callens (co-promotor, OPB), Prof. Keita Ito (Promotor, OPB), and Dr. Sandra Loerakker (Promotor, MMB). The OPB group researches a wide range of topics related to tissue engineering, mechanobiology, and biomechanics of bone, articular cartilage, intervertebral disc, and tendons/ligaments. The group synergizes advanced in vitro, ex vivo, and in silico approaches to uncover new fundamental insights into the properties, growth, and degeneration of orthopaedic tissues, as well as to develop novel regenerative engineering strategies. The MMB group investigates the mechanobiology of native and engineered tissues, with a current focus on cardiovascular applications, using integrated computational and experimental methods. The group focuses on developing a deep understanding of how mechanical stimulation regulates growth and remodeling, with the aim of applying these insights to enhance regenerative strategies.

Both the OPB and MMB groups are part of the Regenerative Materials and Engineering cluster of the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the Eindhoven University of Technology. The department offers Bachelors and Masters education programs that are integrally linked to its research areas ranging across Chemical Biology, Biosensing, Biomaterials, Biomechanics, Tissue Engineering, Computational Biology, Biomedical Imaging and Modelling, with 800+ students and 200+ academic staff. Eindhoven University of Technology is an open and inclusive institute with short communication lines. The people are curious, collaborative, and strive for excellence in research and education at an internationally renowned level. Our lively campus community facilitates connections between staff and students, in an inclusive, friendly, vibrant atmosphere that welcomes and inspires, and is an integral part of the Dutch Brainport region.

Job Requirements
We are looking for a self-motivated, ambitious, and highly talented candidate that meets the following requirements:

• A MSc degree (or equivalent) in Biomedical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Applied Mathematics, or related engineering/scientific fields.
• A strong affinity for complex theoretical concepts in mechanics and/or applied mathematics.
• A research-oriented attitude and a strong drive to learn and push the state-of-the-art.
• A creative mindset, and the ability to take initiative.
• Demonstrated experience with finite element modeling is essential.
• Experience with homogenized constrained-mixture models or other tissue growth models, and experience with mechanical characterization of biological materials is a plus.
• The ability to work collaboratively in interdisciplinary teams and bridge research groups.
• Excellent communication skills, fluent in spoken and written English.

Conditions of Employment
A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university, in an interdisciplinary setting and within an international network. You will work on a beautiful, green campus within walking distance of the central train station. In addition, we offer you:

• Full-time employment for four years, with an intermediate assessment after nine months. You will spend a minimum of 10% of your four-year employment on teaching tasks, with a maximum of 15% per year of your employment.
• Salary and benefits (such as a pension scheme, paid pregnancy and maternity leave, partially paid parental leave) in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, scale P (min. € 3,059 - max. € 3,881).
• A year-end bonus of 8.3% and annual vacation pay of 8%.
• High-quality training programs and other support to grow into a self-aware, autonomous scientific researcher. At TU/e we challenge you to take charge of your own learning process.
• An excellent technical infrastructure, on-campus children's day care and sports facilities.
• Unlimited access to the modern on‑campus TU/e Student Sports Center at an exceptionally affordable rate, for you and, if applicable, your partner.
• An allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs.
• A Staff Immigration Team and a tax compensation scheme (the 30% facility) for international candidates.

On our website you can discover even more information about our conditions of employment. Build on your career at TU/e!

About us
We are a leading international university where scientific curiosity meets a hands-on mindset. We work in an open and collaborative way with high-tech industries to tackle complex societal challenges. Our responsible and respectful approach ensures impact — today and in the future. TU/e is home to over 13,000 students and more than 7,000 staff, forming a diverse and vibrant academic community.

Our university is located in Brainport Eindhoven — a world‑leading tech region with more than 7,000 high‑tech companies and strong R&D activity. Known for breakthroughs in AI, photonics, semiconductors and advanced manufacturing, Brainport is a place where technology serves people and society. Learn more about the Brainport region here.

The Department of Biomedical Engineering offers top-level education and research in one of the most relevant and exciting scientific disciplines of the 21st century: engineering health. In combining engineering and life sciences, through challenge-based learning and a multidisciplinary approach in collaboration with hospitals, industry and others, the department addresses the great challenges of the future, striving to improve healthcare and society as a whole.

Information
Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more? Please contact the hiring manager Dr. Sebastien Callens, s.j.p.callens@tue.nl.

Visit our website for more information about the application process. You can also contact HRServices.bme@tue.nl.

Curious to hear more about what it’s like as a PhD candidate at TU/e? Please view the video.

Are you inspired and would like to know more about working at TU/e? Please visit our career page.

Application
We invite you to submit a complete application by using the apply button. The application should include a:

• Cover letter in which you describe your motivation and qualifications for the position.
• Curriculum vitae, including a list of your publications and the contact information of three references. Kindly note that we may reach out to references at any stage of the recruitment process. We recommend notifying your references upon submitting your application.
• A transcript of your MSc course grades.

Ensure that you submit all the requested application documents. We give priority to complete applications.

We look forward to receiving your application and will screen it as soon as possible. The vacancy will remain open until the position is filled.

Please note

• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
• A pre-employment screening (e.g. knowledge security check) can be part of the selection procedure. For more information on the knowledge security check, please consult the National Knowledge Security Guidelines.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.

PhD on Computational growth and remodeling of cartilage microtissues

Functional and durable regeneration of articular cartilage is still an unsolved challenge, despite the growing clinical and socioeconomic burden. In recent years, developmentally inspired tissue engineering (TE) approaches, relying on the assembly of self-organizing microtissue-based building blocks into larger constructs, have emerged as promising avenues for cartilage regeneration. However, this typically results in a larger tissue with a disorganized matrix architecture, not resembling native cartilage. To unlock the full potential of microtissue-based TE, a deeper understanding is needed of how these microtissues remodel and fuse their matrices as they grow, and how this is governed by their mechanical microenvironment. As a PhD candidate, you will develop novel computational tools to elucidate these phenomena.

This PhD project aims to develop a computational growth and remodeling (G&R) framework to investigate how cartilage microtissue growth dynamics, matrix composition, and (anisotropic) matrix architecture are influenced by the mechanical and geometric properties of their environment. These computational models can provide crucial mechanistic insights into the key parameters governing these processes, inform targeted in vitro experiments, and help design better biomaterials and TE strategies that harness mechanics and geometry. As a PhD candidate, you will adopt and extend in-house homogenized constrained-mixture (finite element) models for cardiovascular tissues towards simulating cartilage G&R. You will then simulate cartilage microtissues growing inside engineered, confining microenvironments and investigate the key parameters influencing the growth process, with a primary focus on anisotropic matrix organization. While this project is entirely computational in nature, you will collaborate closely with experimental researchers working with cartilage microtissues and engineered biomaterials, e.g. for tuning and validating the computational models, and for informing new in vitro experiments.

As a PhD candidate, you will become an integral part of a dynamic and multidisciplinary environment of engineers, biologists, and clinicians across seniority levels, driving innovation in regenerative medicine. An educational and professional development program will be offered to you, and you will contribute to teaching activities and supervision of BSc and MSc students. You will be expected to present your PhD research at (inter-)national scientific conferences, publish in scientific journals, and complete a doctoral dissertation.

Embedding
This PhD project will be integrally based within two research groups of the Department of Biomedical Engineering: the Orthopaedic Biomechanics (OPB) group and the Modeling in Mechanobiology (MMB) group. You will be supervised by Dr. Sebastien Callens (co-promotor, OPB), Prof. Keita Ito (Promotor, OPB), and Dr. Sandra Loerakker (Promotor, MMB). The OPB group researches a wide range of topics related to tissue engineering, mechanobiology, and biomechanics of bone, articular cartilage, intervertebral disc, and tendons/ligaments. The group synergizes advanced in vitro, ex vivo, and in silico approaches to uncover new fundamental insights into the properties, growth, and degeneration of orthopaedic tissues, as well as to develop novel regenerative engineering strategies. The MMB group investigates the mechanobiology of native and engineered tissues, with a current focus on cardiovascular applications, using integrated computational and experimental methods. The group focuses on developing a deep understanding of how mechanical stimulation regulates growth and remodeling, with the aim of applying these insights to enhance regenerative strategies.

Both the OPB and MMB groups are part of the Regenerative Materials and Engineering cluster of the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the Eindhoven University of Technology. The department offers Bachelors and Masters education programs that are integrally linked to its research areas ranging across Chemical Biology, Biosensing, Biomaterials, Biomechanics, Tissue Engineering, Computational Biology, Biomedical Imaging and Modelling, with 800+ students and 200+ academic staff. Eindhoven University of Technology is an open and inclusive institute with short communication lines. The people are curious, collaborative, and strive for excellence in research and education at an internationally renowned level. Our lively campus community facilitates connections between staff and students, in an inclusive, friendly, vibrant atmosphere that welcomes and inspires, and is an integral part of the Dutch Brainport region.

Assistant Professor In AI-based Cybersecurity Automation

Introduction
Are you inspired by tackling emerging cybersecurity threats? Are you fascinated by how AI can transform the way we detect, prevent, and understand attacks? If so, you may be our next Assistant Professor in AI‑based Cybersecurity Automation. Join us in advancing the next generation of intelligent security solutions that protect digital infrastructures worldwide. This vacancy is part of the Irène Curie Fellowship and is currently only open to female candidates.

The Security Cluster of the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) invites you to apply for the position of Assistant Professor in AI-based Cybersecurity Automation. We are seeking a highly motivated researcher to advance research on cybersecurity automation through artificial intelligence applications, with an emphasis on applications such as threat detection, threat intelligence, intrusion prevention, privacy-preserving technologies, offensive applications, and/or other emerging security challenges.

Do you combine deep cybersecurity expertise with modern AI techniques such as machine learning, deep learning, or large language models? Then we strongly encourage you to apply. You will join an established team with 25+ members between scientific staff, PhD students, Postdocs, and scientific developers. You will also have access to the extensive industry network of the cluster and real-world data on threat intelligence and attack telemetry from our in-house professional Security Operation Center, ESH-SOC and CTILab, the threat intel laboratory we are building at JADS, the Jheronimus Academy of Data Science in Den Bosch (close to Eindhoven).

Job Description
Modern digital infrastructures are increasingly complex, interconnected, and exposed to sophisticated cyber-attacks. Defenders must detect, understand, and respond to threats in dynamic and adversarial environments, often under severe time and information constraints. Artificial Intelligence is becoming a key enabler in this context, supporting scalable threat detection, security monitoring, and decision-making, as well as supporting offensive operations. The Security Cluster views this position as an opportunity to address these challenges by combining novel AI‑driven capabilities with the strong scientific and technical expertise already present within the team. You will join the Security cluster (SEC) of the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science at TU/e. The mission of the cluster is to realize a more secure and privacy-preserving digital infrastructure by addressing cybersecurity end-to-end, including human and technological aspects of offender and defender capabilities and operations, and the engineering, deployment, operation, and maintenance of ICT systems. Your research will complement and extend our current scientific and technical expertise on system security, incident detection and response, and security operations.

A distinctive aspect of the position is the strong connection between research, education, and practice. You will contribute to the Cybersecurity Master track and collaborate with colleagues working closely with the Eindhoven Security Hub-SOC, a professional Security Operations Center run by the cluster where cutting-edge research meets real-world security operations generating real-world data on threat intelligence, attack telemetry, and defender actions. You may also leverage the Security cluster’s IoT lab to support experimental research and hands-on education, the research and education expertise available at the Jheronimus Academy of Data Science (JADS) in Den Bosch, and CTILab, the threat intelligence lab and expertise center SEC is currently building at JADS in close collaboration with ESH-SOC.

In this role, you will develop an independent research agenda, acquire external funding, and collaborate with academic and industrial partners. You will teach and supervise students at Bachelor and Master levels and contribute to an inclusive and collaborative academic environment. Your work will have clear societal impact by helping protect organizations, infrastructures, and individuals against evolving cyber threats.

In this role, you will contribute to the ambition of the Beethoven program to educate top talent and strengthen research across the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).

Job Requirements

• Motivated researcher, with a PhD in Computer Science or a comparable domain.
• Ability to conduct high-quality academic research, reflected in demonstratable outputs in the security field.
• Motivated to teach, contribute to teaching processes, and develop excellent teaching skills.
• Strong cooperation skills and ability to work in an interdisciplinary team.
• Effective communication and leadership skills, including coaching and mentoring of students and staff, leading a project or chairing a group.
• Excellent (written and verbal) proficiency in English.

Conditions of Employment
A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university, in an interdisciplinary setting and within an international network. You will work on a beautiful, green campus within walking distance of the central train station. In addition, we offer you:

• Salary in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. For an Assistant Professor this is (scale 11) min. € 4.728,- max. € 6.433,- gross per month (on a full-time basis).
• A year-end bonus of 8.3% and annual vacation pay of 8%.
• A dedicated mentoring program to help you get to know the university and the Dutch (research) environment.
• A Development Track with the prospect of becoming an Associate Professor. If you have a more senior profile, a tailor-made career proposal will be considered.
• High-quality training programs for academic leadership and teaching.
• An excellent technical infrastructure, on-campus children's day care and sports facilities.
• Unlimited access to the modern on‑campus TU/e Student Sports Center at an exceptionally affordable rate, for you and, if applicable, your partner.
• Partially paid parental leave and an allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs.
• A Staff Immigration Team is available for international candidates, as are a tax compensation scheme (the 30% facility) and partner career support.

About us
We are a leading international university where scientific curiosity meets a hands-on mindset. We work in an open and collaborative way with high-tech industries to tackle complex societal challenges. Our responsible and respectful approach ensures impact — today and in the future. TU/e is home to over 13,000 students and more than 7,000 staff, forming a diverse and vibrant academic community.

Our university is located in Brainport Eindhoven — a world‑leading tech region with more than 7,000 high‑tech companies and strong R&D activity. Known for breakthroughs in AI, photonics, semiconductors and advanced manufacturing, Brainport is a place where technology serves people and society. Learn more about the Brainport region here.

We believe that diversity broadens our research scope and enhances the quality of our education. Our Irène Curie Fellowship aims to advance talented female researchers, in order to thrive and be successful in top positions in science, contributing to the societal goal of promoting equal opportunities. The program addresses the aspirations and needs of women in industry, academia, and research institutes in order to support their ambition to become a professor at our university.

Information
Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more? Please contact the hiring manager, Nicola Zannone, Associate Professor, n.zannone@tue.nl

Visit our website for more information about the application process or the conditions of employment.

You can also contact Annette van Kamp-Rustenburg Senior Recruiter, a.j.v.kamp.rustenburg1@tue.nl or +316 3936 6434.

Curious to hear more about what it's like as a professor at TU/e? Please watch the video.

Are you inspired and would like to know more about working at TU/e? Please visit our career page.

Application
This vacancy is part of the Irène Curie Fellowship and is currently only open to female candidates. Male applicants will not be considered for the position.

We invite you to submit a complete application. The application should include a:

• Cover letter in which you describe your motivation and qualifications for the position.
• Curriculum vitae, including a list of your publications and the contact information of three references. Kindly note that we may reach out to references at any stage of the recruitment process. We recommend notifying your references upon submitting your application.
• Description of your scientific interests and plans (1-2 pages).
• Statement of your teaching goals and experience (1-2 pages).

We look forward to receiving your application before May 19, 2026.

Ensure that you submit all the requested application documents. Please note that incomplete applications may not be considered and could be rejected.

We look forward to receiving your application and will review it once the vacancy has closed.

Please note

• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
• A pre-employment screening (e.g. knowledge security check) can be part of the selection procedure. For more information on the knowledge security check, please consult the National Knowledge Security Guidelines.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.

#LI-DNI

Assistant Professor In AI-based Cybersecurity Automation

Modern digital infrastructures are increasingly complex, interconnected, and exposed to sophisticated cyber-attacks. Defenders must detect, understand, and respond to threats in dynamic and adversarial environments, often under severe time and information constraints. Artificial Intelligence is becoming a key enabler in this context, supporting scalable threat detection, security monitoring, and decision-making, as well as supporting offensive operations. The Security Cluster views this position as an opportunity to address these challenges by combining novel AI‑driven capabilities with the strong scientific and technical expertise already present within the team. You will join the Security cluster (SEC) of the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science at TU/e. The mission of the cluster is to realize a more secure and privacy-preserving digital infrastructure by addressing cybersecurity end-to-end, including human and technological aspects of offender and defender capabilities and operations, and the engineering, deployment, operation, and maintenance of ICT systems. Your research will complement and extend our current scientific and technical expertise on system security, incident detection and response, and security operations.

A distinctive aspect of the position is the strong connection between research, education, and practice. You will contribute to the Cybersecurity Master track and collaborate with colleagues working closely with the Eindhoven Security Hub-SOC, a professional Security Operations Center run by the cluster where cutting-edge research meets real-world security operations generating real-world data on threat intelligence, attack telemetry, and defender actions. You may also leverage the Security cluster’s IoT lab to support experimental research and hands-on education, the research and education expertise available at the Jheronimus Academy of Data Science (JADS) in Den Bosch, and CTILab, the threat intelligence lab and expertise center SEC is currently building at JADS in close collaboration with ESH-SOC.

In this role, you will develop an independent research agenda, acquire external funding, and collaborate with academic and industrial partners. You will teach and supervise students at Bachelor and Master levels and contribute to an inclusive and collaborative academic environment. Your work will have clear societal impact by helping protect organizations, infrastructures, and individuals against evolving cyber threats.

In this role, you will contribute to the ambition of the Beethoven program to educate top talent and strengthen research across the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).

PhD in Addressing rebound effects in home automation through alternative design aesthetics

Introduction
Are you passionate about the role design aesthetics could play in causing and addressing environmental sustainability challenges? The Designing with Intelligence research cluster at the Industrial Design Department of TU Eindhoven, and the section for Engineering Design and Product Development of DTU jointly invite applications for a 4-year EuroTech PhD project.

Job Description
The aim of this exciting, creative, critical and multidisciplinary project is to develop design strategies to anticipate and prevent ‘rebound effects’ in the smart home by exploring the potential of aesthetics of uncertainty, instability and emergence. These strategies should evoke the imagination and competence of designers to challenge currently dominant paradigms in home automation and form the basis for developing novel Key Enabling Methodologies.

Background
Home automation (i.e., ‘the smart home’ enabled by Internet of Things) is seen as a promising approach to enable residents to use energy more efficiently and thereby reduce domestic energy demand. However, home automation has so far led to increasing rather than decreasing levels of demand, both in energy and resources. These increased levels of demand are in part caused by the occurrence of ‘rebound effects’. Rebound effects describe ‘systemic responses to measures designed to enhance sustainability outcomes that partially or entirely offset the measure’s intended effects’. In other words, improving efficiency does not deliver the expected sustainability gains due to changes in system behaviour induced by the introduced efficiency measures. At the same time, parallel activities in the ‘smart home’ realm are promoting more resource intensive lifestyles under banners of health, safety and pleasance.

While the Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) community shaping smart technologies is still coming to terms with its role in causing increased energy and resource consumption it is important to further explore how they can contribute to tackling global crises. Along with a broader system understanding necessary for preventing or mitigating rebound effects, this requires novel perspectives on the role of HCI in shaping quality of life. In this project we aim to do this by combining systemic knowledge on rebound effects (DTU) with an alternative aesthetic perspective on the role of smart technology in everyday life (TU/e).

While in smart system design the focus lies on fostering control, choice and convenience, our research indicates that opportunities to move towards more sustainable lifestyles through design lie in harbouring an alternative aesthetics of uncertainty, instability, and emergence.

Uncertainty is inherent to everyday life and expected to become increasingly so with ongoing climate change and other crises such as mass migration. It is often seen as something negative. However, uncertainty can also lead to sensual experiences of surprise and curiosity and motivate creative exploration or deeper reflections on the reasons behind the uncertainty. We want to take the notion of uncertainty beyond a design material and explore an ‘aesthetics of uncertainty’ in the design of smart home systems.

Instability is an attribute of dynamical models and systems. With increasing connectivity between different kinds of often poorly compatible systems in the home, instability, break-down and malfunction become regular qualities of smart home systems. Rather than trying to prevent or fix these elements, we propose exploring an aesthetic of ‘caring for instability’.

Emergence occurs when an entity is observed to have properties its parts do not have on their own. These properties or behaviours emerge only when the parts interact in a wider whole. Emergent behaviours in intelligent systems, such as rebound effects, are preferably prevented. However, a system might also have desirable emergent behaviours. Anticipation is a condition of aesthetic form, according to Dewey. ‘Anticipating emergence’ is then a responsible strategy for the future development of smart home systems.

Approach
The project will take a Constructive Design Research approach, by which knowledge is generated through the process of designing. This process contains a series of iterations, i.e., aesthetic inquiries that build on each other. By exploratively developing the alternative aesthetic qualities into design exemplars for the home context, while iteratively evaluating these outcomes against broader, longer term potential rebound effects and feasibility on a system level, this project aims to develop approaches that offer handles to interaction designers in reinventing their practices for a less resource intensive future that is resilient to the occurrence of rebound effects.

The process is envisioned to comprise four main iterations. Involving experimentation with different forms of designing and aesthetics, developing and deploying working prototypes in small and medium scale settings, systemic assessments of potential prevention of rebound effects of the concepts, and making and testing educational materials for design students. In the first year, the research plan will be refined together with the PhD candidate.

During this process, the PhD candidate will spend at least 6 months at DTU. The candidate is expected to publish in relevant scientific conferences and journals within the field of human-computer interaction, such as the CHI and DIS conferences, Ubicomp and the ToCHI journal. At the end of the 4-year project, the candidate is expected to defend their PhD Thesis.

Prospective starting date: September 2026 (in consultation).

The team
The PhD will be supervised by Dr. Lenneke Kuijer and Professor Dr. Stephan Wensveen in the Department of Industrial Design at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), and Professor Dr. Daniela Pigosso in the Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU).

Lenneke Kuijer is an expert in the areas of domestic energy demand, home automation and social practice theories. Stephan Wensveen co-developed notions around aesthetics of interaction and is currently researching aesthetic perspectives on designing intelligent systems. Daniella Pigosso brings in expertise on rebound effects, circular economy and product-service systems (PSS) and a strong link with industry.

Job Requirements

• A Master’s degree in Interaction Design or closely related discipline
• Affinity with design aesthetics
• Experience with physical prototyping
• A critical attitude towards the role of smart home technology in everyday life
• Familiarity with the concept of sustainable design and/or rebound effects
• Proven skills in qualitative design research, in particular research through design/constructive design research and experience with academic paper writing
• Good collaboration and communication skills, both with other disciplines and outside academia
• Fluency in spoken and written English language
• A willingness for international travel and (extended) stays abroad (4-8 months in Denmark, at DTU)

Conditions of Employment
A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university, in an interdisciplinary setting and within an international network. You will work on a beautiful, green campus within walking distance of the central train station. In addition, we offer you:

• Full-time employment for four years, with an intermediate assessment after nine months. You will spend a minimum of 10% of your four-year employment on teaching tasks, with a maximum of 15% per year of your employment.
• Salary and benefits (such as a pension scheme, paid pregnancy and maternity leave, partially paid parental leave) in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, scale P (min. € 3,059 - max. € 3,881).
• A year-end bonus of 8.3% and annual vacation pay of 8%.
• High-quality training programs and other support to grow into a self-aware, autonomous scientific researcher. At TU/e we challenge you to take charge of your own learning process.
• An excellent technical infrastructure, on-campus children's day care and sports facilities.
• Unlimited access to the modern on‑campus TU/e Student Sports Center at an exceptionally affordable rate, for you and, if applicable, your partner.
• An allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs.
• A Staff Immigration Team and a tax compensation scheme (the 30% facility) for international candidates.

About us
About EuroTech
This PhD position is part of the internal TU/e Eurotech PhD program. This centrally funded PhD program aims at stimulating cooperation with the strategic international EuroTech partner universities (https://eurotech-universities.eu/). Like other TU/e-based PhD candidates, the candidate will have access to the TU/e PROOF program with ample opportunities for personal development. In addition, the candidate has access to yearly training and exchange activities within the EuroTech context, for instance a visit to the EuroTech Brussels Office or working-across-borders training.

About Eindhoven University of Technology
We are a leading international university where scientific curiosity meets a hands-on mindset. We work in an open and collaborative way with high-tech industries to tackle complex societal challenges. Our responsible and respectful approach ensures impact — today and in the future. TU/e is home to over 13,000 students and more than 7,000 staff, forming a diverse and vibrant academic community.

Our university is located in Brainport Eindhoven — a world‑leading tech region with more than 7,000 high‑tech companies and strong R&D activity. Known for breakthroughs in AI, photonics, semiconductors and advanced manufacturing, Brainport is a place where technology serves people and society. Learn more about the Brainport region here.

The Department of Industrial Design conducts research on and education in the design of systems with emerging technologies in a social context. We excel at integrating various academic disciplines, including engineering, design, business, and social sciences.

Information
Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more? Please contact the hiring manager Lenneke Kuijer, Assistant Professor, s.c.kuijer@tue.nl.

Visit our website for more information about the application process or the conditions of employment.

Curious to hear more about what it’s like as a PhD candidate at TU/e? Please view the video.

Are you inspired and would like to know more about working at TU/e? Please visit our career page.

Application
We invite you to submit a complete application by using the apply button. The application should include a:

• Cover letter in which you describe your motivation and qualifications for the position.
• Curriculum vitae, including a list of your publications and the contact information of three references. Kindly note that we may reach out to references at any stage of the recruitment process. We recommend notifying your references upon submitting your application.
• A portfolio in which you demonstrate your design skills and experience

Ensure that you submit all the requested application documents. We give priority to complete applications.

We look forward to receiving your application and will screen it as soon as possible. The vacancy will remain open until the position is filled.

Deadline: 30 April 2026.

Please note

• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
• A pre-employment screening (e.g. knowledge security check) can be part of the selection procedure. For more information on the knowledge security check, please consult the National Knowledge Security Guidelines.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.