The M&O group of the TU Delft Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering has received an NWO grant to conduct research on organising crossover collaborations for digital innovation, in collaboration with the KIN group of the VU University Amsterdam and RMIT Melbourne. This PhD project on design thinking is part of this larger NWO project that also consists of two other PhD projects. It is the strong intention of the supervisory teams of the PhD projects that the three PhD students will work closely together. The premise of the NWO project is that digital innovations (e.g., combinations between physical products, digital technologies, and information-based services) require crossover collaborations between partners from different disciplines and sectors.
For digital innovations there are a number of well-documented best practices in design thinking. Currently, however, there is only a shallow understanding of how to implement design thinking in digital innovation. We believe that changes are needed to the current concept to make it fully applicable to digital innovation. The PhD student will perform embedded qualitative research in industry to gain an understanding about the current and desired role of design thinking in crossover digital innovation projects. This will result in the identification of best practices for designers and other organisations to learn from.
Description
Candidates who would like to apply should meet the following requirements:
• Master or an equivalent degree in Industrial Design, Software Design or a related discipline;
• Motivation to do high quality scientific research;
• Expertise in and affinity for qualitative research methods;
• Ability to combine creative and analytical thinking;
• Ability to collaborate in groups as well as carry out work individually;
• Demonstrable flexibility and strong communication skills required to collaborate with industrial partner(s);
• Affinity for innovation and technology management;
• Proficiency in written and spoken English;
• Proficiency in (or willingness to learn) spoken Dutch to aid qualitative data collection;
• Academic writing skills.
Nr of positions available : 1
Research Fields
Technology
Career Stage
Early stage researcher or 0-4 yrs (Post graduate)
Experienced researcher or 4-10 yrs (Post-Doc)
More Experienced researcher or >10 yrs (Senior)
Research Profiles
Not defined
Benefits
0 - 2717
Benefits
The TU Delft offers an attractive benefits package, including a flexible work week and the option of assembling a customised compensation and benefits package (the 'IKA'). 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. 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.phd.tudelft.nl for more information.
For more information about this position, please contact Dr. Maaike Kleinsmann, phone: +31 (0)15-278, e-mail: m.s.kleinsmann@tudelft.nl. To apply, please send a detailed CV and list of publications along with a letter of application by 1 April 2015 to Danielle van der Kruk, d.m.vanderkruk@tudelft.nl.
When applying for this position, please refer to vacancy number AT/IO-0696.
Requirements
| Technology |
| ENGLISH |
| Good |
| Technology |
| University Graduate |
| 1 |