Are you interested in the development of business models for innovative solutions that contribute to sustainability?  In particular, are you interested in using modeling techniques (such as i-star, KAOS, or GRL) to foster consensus between different stakeholder goals and to offer conceptual clarity to the inherently contested notion of sustainability, or in employing various analytical techniques (such as simulation, visualization, multi-criteria decision-making) to evaluate collaborative business models not only for their economic viability but also for their impact on the environment and society?  If you can relate to one or more of these topics, we invite you to apply for the PhD position in Information Systems with a specific focus on model-based decision-making for sustainable business model development.

Topic

Solutions to today's problems require the collaboration of multiple stakeholders of varying nature, including businesses, government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and individuals. This collaboration is essential to create value appropriation mechanisms that balance economic progress, social well-being, and environmental preservation. Complex digital solutions are often at the center of such solutions and act as core enablers for value delivery. To bring about greater impact, it is necessary that the efforts and values of a diverse range of stakeholders are configured into meaningful collaborative networks through business models. Designing, evaluating, and implementing these business models is a challenging undertaking, but it is essential to address the pressing issues of our time.   

Position

As a PhD candidate, you will follow the Design Science Research methodology to develop modeling methods and tools to support the design, evaluation, and/or implementation of collaborative business models in the context of sustainability. We expect this research to address the challenges faced in various domains, such as the energy transition and smart mobility.

You will become part of the Information Systems research group at the Department of Industrial Engineering and Innovation Sciences Apart from research, you will also contribute to the teaching activities of the group in the Bachelor and Master programs of the department.

• You have a Master's degree in Information Systems, Business Science, Innovation Science, Computer Science, Industrial Engineering, or a similar field of study.
• You have a strong affinity with interdisciplinary research that involves collaboration with industry.
• You can work on a challenging topic that has both basic and applied research aspects.
• You can implement ideas in software prototypes.
• Your verbal and written communication skills are excellent, as are your proficiency in English and your ability to collaborate in an international group.

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 evaluation (go/no-go) after nine months. You will spend 10% of your employment on teaching tasks.
• 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. €2,770 max. €3,539).
• 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.
• 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.