PhD in Envisioning Housing Consumption Corridors through Participatory Design Fictions

The Eindhoven University of Technology invites applications for a 4-year PhD position focused on envisioning sustainable housing consumption corridors through participatory design fictions. This opportunity is situated within the Designing with Intelligence research cluster at the Department of Industrial Design. The project aims to collaboratively explore and design alternative ways of living that balance inclusivity, sustainability, and social justice, specifically within the context of housing in Eindhoven and Geneva. The research centers on the concept of 'consumption corridors,' which define the space between minimum decent living standards and upper limits that ensure fair resource distribution. The project addresses pressing challenges such as increasing housing size, ageing building stock, affordable housing shortages, and environmental impacts, including carbon emissions and energy demand. By integrating social practice theories and design fiction methods, the PhD candidate will engage with local communities, architects, and urban planners to imagine, experiment with, and plan for sustainable housing solutions. The candidate will conduct literature reviews, surveys, and interviews with local households and experts, organize participatory workshops, and develop design fictions that make sustainable living tangible and debatable. The outcomes will inform deliberation and backcasting workshops with stakeholders, ultimately generating recommendations for local interventions. The project is part of the Living in Consumption Corridors initiative, funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation, and is co-led by Dr. Lenneke Kuijer (Eindhoven University of Technology) and Dr. Marlyne Sahakian (University of Geneva). Applicants should have a Master’s degree in Interaction Design or a related field, experience with qualitative and participatory research methods, and a strong interest in sustainable and speculative design. Fluency in English is required, and Dutch language skills are preferred. The position offers full-time employment for four years, a competitive salary (scale P), year-end bonus, vacation pay, pension scheme, and additional benefits for international candidates. The anticipated start date is May 2026. To apply, submit a cover letter, CV with publications and references, and a portfolio via the online application portal. The vacancy remains open until filled, with a deadline for priority consideration on February 1, 2026. For further information, contact Assistant Professor Lenneke Kuijer at [email protected].