Postdoc In Philosophy of Technology

Co-creating a Transdisciplinary Framework for Sociotechnical System Flourishing.

Introduction
Are you a transdisciplinary philosopher who cares about making theoretical ideas matter in the real world? Are you excited to co-create, together with non-academic stakeholders, a transdisciplinary framework that synthesizes ethical theories of human flourishing with system thinking approaches into a notion of sociotechnical system flourishing? Are you eager to connect diverse philosophical perspectives to tackle urgent challenges in the ethics of socially disruptive technologies? Applications are open for a 3-year postdoctoral fellowship within the Ethics of Socially Disruptive Technologies (ESDiT) consortium, which will be hosted in the Philosophy & Ethics Capacity Group at TU Eindhoven.

Job Description
The aim of this position is to co-create a new transdisciplinary framework with societal partners that will anticipate, mitigate, and minimize the socially disruptive effects of emerging technologies. This will involve synthesizing aspects of system thinking with ethical theories of human flourishing. From a system perspective, disrupted sociotechnical systems have qualities that resist disruption, including adaptability, feedback awareness, and the ability to incorporate external elements. Theories in the human flourishing have analogous features, including emphasizing the individual’s capacity to exercise agency, teleological orientation, and narrative coherence. We believe that combining these two frameworks in a concept of sociotechnical system flourishing has the potential to improve how socially disruptive technologies are developed.

Transdisciplinary research aims to shape real-world domains by co-creating with non-academic stakeholders. ESDiT researchers have identified several cases that could benefit from a transdisciplinary approach that specifically combines aspects of system thinking with the ethics of human flourishing. These include problems in the attention economy, dementia care, and workplace well-being. Each of these involve pressing ethical challenges, including digital overuse, care practices overemphasizing autonomy, and perceived tensions between employee well-being and organizational productivity. Your role will be to co-create actionable insights into how sociotechnical systems can flourish by closely engaging with users, designers, businesses, NGOs, and other stakeholders. The project pursues societal impact by helping societal stakeholders to better understand and perform transdisciplinary research and showing how to design for system level flourishing.

You will lead this research project within the parameters outlined above, bringing to bear your education, research background, and personal interests. Your ESDiT supervisory team will support you in building relationships with key non-academic partners, maximizing the real-world impact of your research, as well as navigating key theoretical choices (such as which theories of human flourishing and/or which system theories to focus on). We will support you in developing a unique and coherent research trajectory to prepare you for what you wish to do afterwards (personal grant acquisition, tenure-track job market, non-academic research role).

In addition to contributing to academic philosophy at a globally recognized level, this position will allow you to directly contribute to 1) conceptual innovation and 2) practical impact outside of academia, helping shape new ways to develop emerging technologies that respond to the complexity of human and societal flourishing.

Institutional Embedding This postdoc position will be part of the Ethics of Socially Disruptive Technologies programme, a ten-year long international research programme of seven academic institutions in the Netherlands. This programme has a combined budget of € 27 million, and is funded by the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research, and by matching funds from the participating institutions. The programme has the aim of achieving breakthrough research in at the intersection of ethics, philosophy, technology / engineering and social sciences, and to position its consortium at the top of its field internationally. A key objective is to investigate how new technologies challenge moral values and ontological concepts (like
“nature”, “human being” and “community”), and how these challenges necessitate a revision of these concepts. The consortium, counting over 130 researchers, consists of internationally well-known ethicists, philosophers, engineers and social scientists. The programme functions through nine research lines and three synthesising workshops; for a complete overview, see www.esdit.nl. Your project will primarily be embedded in the STEM line of ESDiT. A fuller description of that research line, as well as the programme as a whole, can be pointed to through the ESDiT website: https://www.esdit.nl/

This postdoc position is a 3-year appointment at TU Eindhoven, focused primarily on publishing at a globally recognized level, as well as doing transdisciplinary research with non-academic stakeholders. The holder will be embedded in the STEM line (and will be expected to take on a coordinating role in this line at some point). They will also contribute to educational programmes in the Philosophy and Ethics group (max. 0,1 – 0,2 FTE), which is part of the Department of Industrial Engineering and Innovation Sciences at TU Eindhoven. They will have generous conference and travel budget available to help them conduct their research at an international level. They are required to be based in the Netherlands.

Eindhoven University of Technology is an internationally top-ranking university in the Netherlands that combines scientific curiosity with a hands-on attitude. Our spirit of collaboration translates into an open culture and a top-five position in collaborating with advanced industries.

Job Requirements
A highly motivated and ambitious researcher, with a PhD in philosophy, science & technology studies, or a closely related discipline (with a demonstratable philosophical affinity), by the time of appointment.

• Ability to conduct high quality academic research, reflected in demonstratable outputs.
• A team player who enjoys working in a dynamic research environment, as well as being comfortable working as a transdisciplinary team with non-academic stakeholders.
• Proven ability to manage complex projects to completion on schedule.
• Experience in or affinity for appropriate scientific evaluation methodologies. For example, qualitative methodologies, including interviews, co-creation workshops, or (auto)ethnographic methods, as well as technology assessment, especially in areas relevant to the ESDiT consortium.
• A record (appropriate to career stage) of publications that demonstrates the ability to conduct research which is internationally recognized as contributing to philosophy or philosophy of technology (or related field).
• The ability to work both independently and collaboratively, with good organisational and communication skills.
• A creative and innovative approach.
• A willingness and aptitude for teaching in philosophy.
• Excellent (written and verbal) proficiency in English, good communication and leadership skills.

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 3 years.
• Salary in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, scale 10 (min. € 4,241 max. € 5,538).
• A year-end bonus of 8.3% and annual vacation pay of 8%.
• High-quality training programs on general skills, didactics and topics related to research and valorization.
• 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.
• Partially paid parental leave and an allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs.
• A TU/e Postdoc Association that helps you to build a stronger and broader academic and personal network, and offers tailored support, training and workshops.
• A Staff Immigration Team is available for international candidates, as are a tax compensation scheme (the 30% facility) and a compensation for moving expenses.

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 Industrial Engineering & Innovation Sciences (IE&IS) department combines disciplinary knowledge from the humanities, social sciences and technical sciences to solve the complex problems of industries and society. We collaboratively focus on and create responsible and effective innovations for the research themes: Humans and Technology, Supply Chain Management, Sustainability and Circularity, and Value of Data-Driven Intelligence.

TU/e is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome candidates with a wide variety of backgrounds and perspectives. We aim to increase diversity in Eindhoven University of Technology and the Philosophy & Ethics group, as well as in the discipline of philosophy more generally, so we especially encourage candidates from underrepresented groups to apply.

Information
Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more?

There are two primary contact points with this vacancy:

• Matthew Dennis (TU/e). Joint daily ESDiT supervisor (m.j.dennis@tue.nl)
• Gunter Bombaerts (TU/e). Joint daily ESDiT supervisor (g.bombaerts@tue.nl).

Visit our website for more information about the application process. You can also contact HR (IE&IS) for application information: HRServices.IEIS@tue.nl or +31 40 247 4979.
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 using the apply-button. We cannot accept any other means of application.

The application deadline is May 30th. Initial interviews will be scheduled in June (and may be conducted online); a second round is likely to be scheduled early July.

The application should include:

• A covering letter discussing precisely what interests you about this position, how your background prepares you to carry out your proposed research plan, and any information about your circumstances relevant to assessing your suitability for the position.
• A curriculum vitae, including a list of your publications. Please include at the end the names and contact details of two referees whom we may contact.
• A research plan, indicating how you propose to approach the research question posed in this description of the vacancy (no more than 750 words).
• A key, relevant publication that you are the primary author of (max. 20 pages – you may also include selections from larger work).
• Course evaluations from teaching (if you have any).

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

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

• Please note that there are other vacancies in the Ethics of Socially Disruptive Technologies programme at different participating universities. In case several are of interest to you, we want to encourage you to apply to them simultaneously.
• We greatly value harnessing research to create societal impact. Please include a brief note on how you plan to integrate activating impact through your research, if you are accepted for interview for this position.
• You must 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.

Postdoc In Philosophy of Technology

The aim of this position is to co-create a new transdisciplinary framework with societal partners that will anticipate, mitigate, and minimize the socially disruptive effects of emerging technologies. This will involve synthesizing aspects of system thinking with ethical theories of human flourishing. From a system perspective, disrupted sociotechnical systems have qualities that resist disruption, including adaptability, feedback awareness, and the ability to incorporate external elements. Theories in the human flourishing have analogous features, including emphasizing the individual’s capacity to exercise agency, teleological orientation, and narrative coherence. We believe that combining these two frameworks in a concept of sociotechnical system flourishing has the potential to improve how socially disruptive technologies are developed.

Transdisciplinary research aims to shape real-world domains by co-creating with non-academic stakeholders. ESDiT researchers have identified several cases that could benefit from a transdisciplinary approach that specifically combines aspects of system thinking with the ethics of human flourishing. These include problems in the attention economy, dementia care, and workplace well-being. Each of these involve pressing ethical challenges, including digital overuse, care practices overemphasizing autonomy, and perceived tensions between employee well-being and organizational productivity. Your role will be to co-create actionable insights into how sociotechnical systems can flourish by closely engaging with users, designers, businesses, NGOs, and other stakeholders. The project pursues societal impact by helping societal stakeholders to better understand and perform transdisciplinary research and showing how to design for system level flourishing.

You will lead this research project within the parameters outlined above, bringing to bear your education, research background, and personal interests. Your ESDiT supervisory team will support you in building relationships with key non-academic partners, maximizing the real-world impact of your research, as well as navigating key theoretical choices (such as which theories of human flourishing and/or which system theories to focus on). We will support you in developing a unique and coherent research trajectory to prepare you for what you wish to do afterwards (personal grant acquisition, tenure-track job market, non-academic research role).

In addition to contributing to academic philosophy at a globally recognized level, this position will allow you to directly contribute to 1) conceptual innovation and 2) practical impact outside of academia, helping shape new ways to develop emerging technologies that respond to the complexity of human and societal flourishing.

Institutional Embedding This postdoc position will be part of the Ethics of Socially Disruptive Technologies programme, a ten-year long international research programme of seven academic institutions in the Netherlands. This programme has a combined budget of € 27 million, and is funded by the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research, and by matching funds from the participating institutions. The programme has the aim of achieving breakthrough research in at the intersection of ethics, philosophy, technology / engineering and social sciences, and to position its consortium at the top of its field internationally. A key objective is to investigate how new technologies challenge moral values and ontological concepts (like
“nature”, “human being” and “community”), and how these challenges necessitate a revision of these concepts. The consortium, counting over 130 researchers, consists of internationally well-known ethicists, philosophers, engineers and social scientists. The programme functions through nine research lines and three synthesising workshops; for a complete overview, see www.esdit.nl. Your project will primarily be embedded in the STEM line of ESDiT. A fuller description of that research line, as well as the programme as a whole, can be pointed to through the ESDiT website: https://www.esdit.nl/

This postdoc position is a 3-year appointment at TU Eindhoven, focused primarily on publishing at a globally recognized level, as well as doing transdisciplinary research with non-academic stakeholders. The holder will be embedded in the STEM line (and will be expected to take on a coordinating role in this line at some point). They will also contribute to educational programmes in the Philosophy and Ethics group (max. 0,1 – 0,2 FTE), which is part of the Department of Industrial Engineering and Innovation Sciences at TU Eindhoven. They will have generous conference and travel budget available to help them conduct their research at an international level. They are required to be based in the Netherlands.

Eindhoven University of Technology is an internationally top-ranking university in the Netherlands that combines scientific curiosity with a hands-on attitude. Our spirit of collaboration translates into an open culture and a top-five position in collaborating with advanced industries.

PhD in Behavioral and Experiential Modeling of Inclusive Neighborhood Environments

Introduction
Are you interested in understanding how neighborhood environments shape the everyday lives of older adults? This project combines behavioral, spatial, and urban data to develop and evaluate innovative socio-spatial and AI-enabled interventions in two living labs in the Netherlands.

Job Description
Neighborhood environments may contain physical, cognitive, social, and psychological barriers that affect how older adults move through, experience, and use everyday environments. However, many of these barriers remain insufficiently understood.

This PhD position is part of the ELLI project (Empathic Living Labs for Inclusive Neighborhoods), a national interdisciplinary initiative investigating how neighborhood environments shape the everyday experiences, behavior, mobility, and accessibility of older adults with physical or cognitive vulnerabilities. The project focuses on understanding how older adults experience, interpret, and navigate neighborhood environments, and how these experiences relate to everyday mobility, environmental interaction, and accessibility.

The candidate will investigate behavioral patterns, environmental perception, and everyday mobility in neighborhood settings. The goal is to develop behavioral and spatial models that reveal implicit accessibility barriers and inform neighborhood-level intervention strategies.

The research will combine qualitative, quantitative, and spatial methods, including behavioral observation, environmental perception studies, interviews, wearable and sensor-based data collection, spatial behavior modelling, GIS and spatial analytics, and participatory approaches.

The insights generated in this project will provide a scientific foundation for the analysis and development of neighborhood interventions within the ELLI project.

The candidate will work closely with another PhD student in this project.

Job Responsibilities
The PhD candidate will:

• Investigate how older adults experience, interpret, and navigate neighborhood environments.
• Analyze behavioral patterns, mobility trajectories, and environmental interactions in daily life.
• Study how physical, social, and perceptual environmental conditions shape everyday mobility, accessibility, and neighborhood use.
• Develop behavioral and spatial models that identify accessibility barriers and support neighborhood-level intervention strategies.
• Work with behavioral, spatial, environmental, and sensor-based data collected in the living lab neighborhoods.
• Collaborate with researchers, municipalities, and care organizations involved in the project.
• Publish results in high-quality scientific journals and conferences.

Contribute to the interdisciplinary research community of the ELLI project.

Job Requirements
We are looking for a candidate with:

• A Master’s degree in Architecture/Urban Design, Urban Studies, Human Geography, Behavioral Science, Environmental Psychology, Data Science, or a related field.
• Interest in research on urban environments, accessibility, and ageing societies.
• Experience with spatial analysis, behavioral research methods, or data analysis.
• Programming skills (e.g., Python, R, or similar) are an advantage.
• Strong analytical and communication skills.
• Ability to work in interdisciplinary teams.
• Fluency in spoken and written English (C1 level).

Fluency in Dutch is an advantage.

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.
• 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.

Sustainability, in its broadest definition, is the cornerstone of research and education in the Department of Built Environment. We take the lead in (re)shaping the built environment to be future-proof, safe, healthy, inclusive and respectful of planetary boundaries. We house the entire spectrum of technology, engineering, design, and human behavior disciplines in the built environment, with world-class experimental facilities at all scales. This allows us to address societal challenges from a uniquely integrated perspective.

Information
Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more? Please contact the hiring manager, Prof.dr.ir. Masi Mohammadi, m.mohammadi@tue.nl.

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

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 in AI-Enabled Digital Twins and Inclusive Neighborhood Design

Introduction
Are you excited about using artificial intelligence, digital twins, and computational design to create inclusive neighborhood environments? This project develops and evaluates AI-enabled and socio-spatial interventions to support ageing populations in two living lab neighborhoods in the Netherlands.

Job Description
Designing inclusive neighborhood environments requires tools that translate insights about residents’ needs into concrete spatial and technological interventions.

This PhD position is part of the ELLI project (Empathic Living Labs for Inclusive Neighborhoods), an interdisciplinary initiative exploring how technology and urban design can create neighborhoods that support autonomy, accessibility, and participation for older adults. The project focuses on the development of AI-enabled design tools and digital twin models that support the creation of inclusive neighborhood interventions.

The candidate will develop computational methods that integrate spatial data, environmental sensing, and behavioral insights into digital representations of neighborhoods. These digital twins will support the design and testing of interventions addressing physical, cognitive, social, and psychological accessibility.

The research will involve computational modelling, AI-enabled analysis, and participatory design processes with residents and stakeholders in the living lab neighborhoods.

The goal is to develop design methods and digital tools that support municipalities, designers, and planners in creating inclusive neighborhood environments.

The candidate will work closely with another PhD student in this project.

Job Responsibilities
The PhD candidate will:

• Develop digital twin models of the living lab neighborhoods.
• Design computational tools that support inclusive neighborhood design.
• Develop AI-enabled methods to analyze and simulate accessibility conditions.
• Prototype socio-spatial interventions addressing mobility, navigation, and social participation.
• Support participatory design processes with residents and stakeholders.
• Evaluate and refine interventions through iterative design cycles.
• Publish results in leading scientific journals and conferences.

Contribute to interdisciplinary collaboration within the ELLI consortium.

Job Requirements
We are looking for a candidate with:

• A Master’s degree in Architecture, Urban Design, Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field.
• Experience with computational modelling, simulation, or digital design tools.
• Programming skills (e.g., Python, C#, or web technologies).
• Interest in AI, digital twins, and urban design innovation.
• Ability to work in interdisciplinary research teams.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.
• Fluency in spoken and written English (C1 level).

Fluency in Dutch is an advantage.

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.
• 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.

Sustainability, in its broadest definition, is the cornerstone of research and education in the Department of Built Environment. We take the lead in (re)shaping the built environment to be future-proof, safe, healthy, inclusive and respectful of planetary boundaries. We house the entire spectrum of technology, engineering, design, and human behavior disciplines in the built environment, with world-class experimental facilities at all scales. This allows us to address societal challenges from a uniquely integrated perspective.

Information
Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more? Please contact the hiring manager, Prof.dr.ir. Masi Mohammadi, m.mohammadi@tue.nl.

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

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 in Behavioral and Experiential Modeling of Inclusive Neighborhood Environments

Neighborhood environments may contain physical, cognitive, social, and psychological barriers that affect how older adults move through, experience, and use everyday environments. However, many of these barriers remain insufficiently understood.

This PhD position is part of the ELLI project (Empathic Living Labs for Inclusive Neighborhoods), a national interdisciplinary initiative investigating how neighborhood environments shape the everyday experiences, behavior, mobility, and accessibility of older adults with physical or cognitive vulnerabilities. The project focuses on understanding how older adults experience, interpret, and navigate neighborhood environments, and how these experiences relate to everyday mobility, environmental interaction, and accessibility.

The candidate will investigate behavioral patterns, environmental perception, and everyday mobility in neighborhood settings. The goal is to develop behavioral and spatial models that reveal implicit accessibility barriers and inform neighborhood-level intervention strategies.

The research will combine qualitative, quantitative, and spatial methods, including behavioral observation, environmental perception studies, interviews, wearable and sensor-based data collection, spatial behavior modelling, GIS and spatial analytics, and participatory approaches.

The insights generated in this project will provide a scientific foundation for the analysis and development of neighborhood interventions within the ELLI project.

The candidate will work closely with another PhD student in this project.

Job Responsibilities
The PhD candidate will:

• Investigate how older adults experience, interpret, and navigate neighborhood environments.
• Analyze behavioral patterns, mobility trajectories, and environmental interactions in daily life.
• Study how physical, social, and perceptual environmental conditions shape everyday mobility, accessibility, and neighborhood use.
• Develop behavioral and spatial models that identify accessibility barriers and support neighborhood-level intervention strategies.
• Work with behavioral, spatial, environmental, and sensor-based data collected in the living lab neighborhoods.
• Collaborate with researchers, municipalities, and care organizations involved in the project.
• Publish results in high-quality scientific journals and conferences.

Contribute to the interdisciplinary research community of the ELLI project.