EngD in Designing Human-System Interaction Eindhoven University of Technology in Netherlands

The Engineering Doctorate (EngD) in Designing Human-System Interaction at Eindhoven University of Technology offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the development of an interactive Value Stream Transition Playbook for circular semiconductor chain business models. This position is embedded within the Circular Business Program Semicon (CBPS), a strategic partnership aimed at accelerating circularity in the semiconductor value chain. The project is supervised by Dr. Jun Hu and Professor Walter Baets, and involves collaboration with leading companies, research institutions, and innovation hubs across the Dutch and European semiconductor ecosystem.

The high-tech industry is a cornerstone of the Dutch economy, with Brabant playing a central role in the semiconductor sector. The CBPS initiative connects ecosystem initiators, knowledge partners, and companies to identify opportunities, align circular ambitions, and translate them into scalable industry approaches. The first phase of CBPS focuses on transition management, business model innovation, enabling technologies, and specifically on Value Stream Models as a foundation for practical circularity.

The EngD project addresses the challenge of developing a long-term vision for meaningful business models in the circular semi-con chain, integrating the entire ecosystem and defining a workable transition path. Interactive co-creation sessions will be organized, bringing together companies, researchers, and students to deepen insights and facilitate knowledge sharing. Tools will be designed to support these sessions, and the process will culminate in an integrative report mapping out short- and medium-term transition paths, supported by a modular, adaptive roadmap framework.

The EngD program in Human-System Interaction trains professionals with a Master’s degree in design or engineering to develop competencies in designing and evaluating interactive, intelligent, and innovative systems, services, and products. The program emphasizes design thinking, system thinking, user-centered and data-driven approaches, and the impact of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence. Participants spend about one-fourth of their time in courses and the remainder on research projects and related activities, working in interdisciplinary teams alongside other EngD, PhD, and Master students.

Applicants must have a relevant Master’s degree in Human-Computer Interaction, Interaction Design, System Design, or related fields. Creativity, imagination, entrepreneurial spirit, and strong social skills are essential, as is proficiency in English. Candidates will be selected based on academic performance, university reputation, relevant experience and skills, writing skills and publications, work experience, and performance in modeling exercises and interviews. Required application documents include a cover letter, CV, list of publications, references, diplomas, transcripts, and English proficiency test results.

Employment conditions include a full-time contract for two years, salary according to Dutch university standards (scale TOIO, €3,029/month), year-end bonus, vacation pay, allowances for commuting and internet costs, access to personal development programs, sports facilities, technical infrastructure, and support for international candidates. The university is located in Brainport Eindhoven, a world-leading tech region known for breakthroughs in AI, photonics, semiconductors, and advanced manufacturing.

The application deadline is May 10, 2026. Applications must be submitted online via the provided link; email or postal submissions will not be processed. Priority is given to complete applications. For further information, contact Dr. Jun Hu or Professor Walter Baets. Join TU/e and contribute to impactful research in human-system interaction and circular business models within the semiconductor industry.