All Things Urban

As one of the world’s leading training grounds for these engineers, TU Delft views its role in society as supplying technological solutions that take us significantly further along the road towards sustainability and a flourishing economy.

The Netherlands is well-known for cycling. All together the Dutch own over 22 million bicycles with a population of 17 million people. Electric bikes (e-bikes) are rapidly growing in popularity in the Netherlands since its introduction in the late 1990ies. Currently, over 400,000 e-bikes are sold annually in the Netherlands. The growing popularity (of powerful) e-bikes has many advantages but at the same time the number of traffic accidents with (mainly elderly) e-bike users has grown rapidly. The Technical University of Delft (Department of Sustainable Design Engineering) is collaborating with Accell Group, Twente University and Saxion University of Applied Science in the NWO funded research project ‘Smart Connected Bikes’, comprising three PhD positions. Accell group is a large European bicycle manufacturer and produces and distributes bicycles through several brands, including the electric-bike pioneer-brands Haibike and Sparta. The Smart Connected Bikes project aims to explore, develop and test a connected bicycle ecosystem combining the capabilities of sensing, wireless technology and data science to make bicycle use more safe, reliable, and comfortable. The project will comprise large-scale field tests and applications can provide safety information such as collision avoidance warnings, communication with traffic signals to provide improved bicycle detection as well as to convey traffic information to bicyclists. The development of methods and tools for e-bike designers is an important part of the Smart Connected Bikes project. The Department of Sustainable Design Engineering of the Delft University of Technology (TUDelft) has an opening for a full-time, 4-year, fully-funded PhD project. This phd project explores the use of digital twins for the design of electric bicycle (e-bike) services and experiences and aims to develop interactive tools for designers. How can designers use digital twins for designing and evaluating new e-bike services and experiences? How can a hybrid digital twin capture e-bikes dynamics, human behaviours and urban traffic? You will design and develop interactive tools for designers and examine their use in participatory design projects with manufacturers, mobility service providers, municipalities and e-bike users. Department The Department of Sustainable Design Engineering (SDE) focuses on the developments of innovative design methods, processes and tools for the integration of physical and digital materials into sustainable products and services. By combining research into Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things, Emerging Materials, Mechatronics and Sustainability, SDE addresses complexities with regards to people, systems and processes.

- A Master’s degree (completed or near completion) in computer science, human-computer interaction, data science, data visualisation, design or related fields - Excellent research skills (demonstrated through a high-quality MSc dissertation) - Strong software development skills related to data analytics, data visualisation and/or user interfaces - Good communication skills and a strong interest in operating at the crossroads of different disciplines - A proactive attitude - Excellent command of English (C1; above IELTS 7 or equivalent) - A good command of written and spoken Dutch is a plus but not required. PhD candidates are expected to acquire Dutch language skills during their PhD

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. The 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.

This job is available for international candidates.