The offered PhD position will conduct research within an EU-funded project on business models for data marketplaces and privacy-preserving technologies. Data marketplaces are a specific type of multi-sided digital platforms that enable an ecosystem of organizations to share data. Data marketplace platforms not only provide the means to share data but also tools for preserving privacy and confidentiality. Designing business models for data marketplaces raises unique scientific questions on how to deal with threats and incentives for organizations that share data. In turn, this requires deep understanding of data-driven business models, platform ecosystems and privacy and security. 

The candidate will conduct research on designing and evaluating threat/incentive models and/or business models for data marketplace platforms and privacy-preserving technologies. Methods may include design science research, case studies (with businesses in the project consortium) and experiments. During the PhD, the applicant will conduct this research and prepare scientific articles presenting the research. To enable the applicant to do this successfully, TBM and TU Delft offer personal and professional training courses in the form of a graduate school, in which the applicant will participate. Furthermore, the applicant will be mentored by several senior and junior faculty members.  

Due to the interdisciplinary nature of the research project, the applicant will have a relative large degree of freedom concerning the specific research path.

The applicant should have a particular interest in digital platforms, security/privacy and business models. We seek candidates with a personal drive to improve and acquire new knowledge. As this position is multidisciplinary, we invite applicants with diverse backgrounds, including but not limited to information systems, information management, computer science, and digital business fields. Applicants must have completed a master degree or equivalent education. Furthermore, applicants should demonstrate a solid background in articulating themselves in English.

TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, a discount for health insurance and sport memberships, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged. An International Children’s Centre offers childcare and an international primary school. Dual Career Services offers support to accompanying partners. 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.tudelft.nl/phd for more information.

Delft University of Technology

Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) is a multifaceted institution offering education and carrying out research in the technical sciences at an internationally recognised level. Education, research and design are strongly oriented towards applicability. TU Delft develops technologies for future generations, focusing on sustainability, safety and economic vitality. At TU Delft you will work in an environment where technical sciences and society converge. TU Delft comprises eight faculties, unique laboratories, research institutes and schools.

https://www.tudelft.nl

Faculty Technology, Policy and Management

The Faculty of TPM contributes to sustainable solutions for technological challenges in society by combining the insights from engineering with the humanities and the social sciences. The PhD researcher will be positioned in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) section, within the Engineering Systems and Services (ESS) department of TPM. The core activity of the department is to model, understand, forecast, and shape emerging technological innovations and user patterns in the sectors of energy, mobility and ICT, and use these insights for improved design, regulation and operation of such engineering systems. 

The ICT section has world-leading research programs on digital platforms and ecosystems, open data, digital business models, and information system security.

The digital platforms program focuses on how to design multi-sided and open platforms that create economic and societal value. Designing digital platforms requires understanding of architectural and governance issues (e.g. degree of openness) as well as business model and user issues (e.g. value-creation through multi-sidedness). Ongoing digitalization (e.g. big data, Internet-of-Things) is increasing the opportunities but also raising novel issues, such as the implications of open platforms on privacy and security. The information system security program contributes to understanding the interaction of social and technological dimensions of security. Specific focus are the behaviour and incentives of people and organizations.

https://www.tudelft.nl/en/tpm/