PhD in Addressing Rebound Effects in Home Automation through Alternative Design Aesthetics Eindhoven University of Technology in Netherlands

This PhD position at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) offers a unique opportunity to address environmental sustainability challenges in home automation by exploring alternative design aesthetics. The project is a collaboration between the Designing with Intelligence research cluster at TU/e’s Department of Industrial Design and the Engineering Design and Product Development section at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU), forming part of the EuroTech PhD program. The research aims to develop strategies to anticipate and prevent rebound effects in smart homes, focusing on aesthetics of uncertainty, instability, and emergence. These strategies will challenge dominant paradigms in home automation and contribute to novel Key Enabling Methodologies for sustainable design.

Home automation, enabled by the Internet of Things, is intended to reduce domestic energy demand but has often resulted in increased energy and resource consumption due to rebound effects. Rebound effects are systemic responses that offset intended sustainability gains. The project seeks to combine systemic knowledge from DTU with alternative aesthetic perspectives from TU/e, moving beyond traditional design approaches that prioritize control and convenience. Instead, it will explore how uncertainty, instability, and emergence can be harnessed as positive design qualities, fostering curiosity, creative exploration, and resilience in smart home systems.

The research will follow a Constructive Design Research methodology, generating knowledge through iterative design inquiries. The process includes experimentation with design and aesthetics, development and deployment of prototypes, systemic assessment of rebound effects, and creation of educational materials for design students. The PhD candidate will refine the research plan in the first year and spend at least six months at DTU. Publication in leading Human-Computer Interaction conferences and journals is expected, and the candidate will defend their thesis at the end of the four-year project.

Supervision is provided by Dr. Lenneke Kuijer and Professor Dr. Stephan Wensveen (TU/e), and Professor Dr. Daniela Pigosso (DTU), experts in domestic energy demand, design aesthetics, and rebound effects. The position offers full-time employment for four years, with a competitive salary (scale P: €3,059–€3,881/month), year-end bonus, vacation pay, pension scheme, paid leave, and allowances for commuting and home working. Additional benefits include access to high-quality training, technical infrastructure, on-campus childcare, sports facilities, and support for international candidates.

Applicants must have a Master’s degree in Interaction Design or a related field, experience with physical prototyping, qualitative design research, and academic writing, as well as fluency in English. A critical attitude towards smart home technology and familiarity with sustainable design and rebound effects are essential. The candidate should be willing to travel and spend 4–8 months in Denmark. The position is based in Eindhoven, a leading tech region known for innovation and collaboration with high-tech industries.

Applications should be submitted online via the provided link, including a cover letter, CV, and portfolio. The deadline for applications is 30 April 2026. Priority is given to complete applications, and a pre-employment screening may be part of the selection process. For further information, contact Dr. Lenneke Kuijer at [email protected].