DTU Management Engineering offers one 3-year PhD fellowship. The position will be based in the Engineering Systems Group, and the research project will be carried out in association with the Risk Research Group.

The Engineering Systems Group focuses on understanding and improving the ways in which engineering systems and their sub-systems are managed throughout their life cycles. Our research spans the boundaries of 1. interdisciplinary engineering, 2. project, program and portfolio management, and 3. related policy and strategy processes. By focusing on issues of complexity, human behavior, and uncertainty, we develop methods and tools for public and private organizations to be more effective in the design, construction and operation of large-scale engineering systems.

Responsibilities and tasks 
We invite highly talented candidates to apply for the scholarship. The research will focus on assessing the capabilities of advanced risk quantification methods for project and program management in the context of large scale engineering systems. Your focus will be to integrate advanced risk quantification methods into real-life decision making processes. We consider typical project and program risks, such as cost, schedule, system performance and safety related risks.

Our highly developed societies rely on large-scale socio-technical engineering systems to enable and improve our standard of living. However, the past performance in engineering and operating these engineering systems has been appallingly poor, particularly regarding the ability of engineering managers to manage critical risks from the technological, economic, psychological and political domain.

The research conducted as part of the PhD will address three tightly related aspects regarding the way we manage risks and uncertainties throughout the life-cycle of engineering systems:

1. Better understand key risks and uncertainty-related information needs during critical decision making situations in project and program management;
2. Characterize novel risk quantification methods, including non-probabilistic methods, regarding their applicability in the design and operation of engineering systems; and
3. Integrate this knowledge into novel risk management approaches that enhance current project and program management processes. The proposed approaches will be validated in cooperation with our industry partners.

Qualifications
Candidates should have a master's degree in engineering or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to the master's degree in engineering. We also welcome applications from excellent management science students with a strong background in engineering (e.g. through a relevant bachelor’s degree).

Approval and Enrolment
The scholarships for the PhD degree are subject to academic approval, and the candidates will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes of DTU. For information about the general requirements for enrolment and the general planning of the scholarship studies, please see the DTU PhD Guide.

Assessment
The assessment of the applicants will be made by an internal committee headed by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Josef Oehmen.

We offer
We offer an interesting and challenging job in an international environment focusing on education, research, public-sector consultancy and innovation, which contribute to enhancing the economy and improving social welfare. We strive for academic excellence, collegial respect and freedom tempered by responsibility. The Technical University of Denmark (DTU) is a leading technical university in northern Europe and benchmarks with the best universities in the world.

Salary and appointment terms
The salary and appointment terms are consistent with the current rules for PhD degree students. The period of employment is 3 years.

The exact starting date is negotiable, but we wish to employ the candidate as soon as possible. Your main work location will be on DTU’s Lyngby Campus, Building 424.

Further information 
For informal enquiries, please contact Assoc. Prof. Dr. Josef Oehmen at jooehm<στο>dtu.dk.

You can read more about the Engineering Systems Group here.

Please do not send applications to this e-mail address, instead apply online as described below.

Application
Please submit your online application no later than October 31, 2014. Applications must be submitted as one pdffilecontaining all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply online," fill in the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one pdf file. The file must include:

• A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
• A brief description of your own research activities and ideas for future research in the field (1-3 pages
• Curriculum vitae
• Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma
• Excel sheet with translation of grades to the Danish grading system (see guidelines and excel spreadsheet here)
• Two letters of recommendation or two reference contacts

Candidates may apply prior to ob­tai­ning their master's degree, but cannot begin before having received it.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, disability, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.

DTU Management Engineering aims to develop and utilise new knowledge about Systems Analysis, Production and Service Management, Management Science, and Technology and Innovation Management to benefit society. In this way the Department contributes to knowledge based growth and welfare with focus on competitiveness, productivity, sustainability, innovation and entrepreneurship. Research and education at DTU Management Engineering is carried out in close cooperation with international research environments and industrial and public partners. The Department’s research is divided in five divisions and two centres with different disciplinary perspectives.

DTU is a technical university providing internationally leading research, education, innovation and public service. Our staff of 5,700 advance science and technology to create innovative solutions that meet the demands of society; and our 10,000 students are educated to address the technological challenges of the future. DTU is an independent academic university collaborating globally with business, industry, government, and public agencies.