PhD Position in Reducing Critical Raw Materials Demand Through Design

PhD Position in Reducing Critical Raw Materials Demand Through Design

This position explores how to increase resilience and sustainability while simultaneously reducing geopolitical dependencies through researching circular design strategies for critical raw materials.

Job description

The Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering at Delft University of Technology invites applications for a PhD position aimed at addressing challenges associated with Critical Raw Materials (CRMs) through innovative design methods. CRMs are fundamental to the production of high-tech products and renewable energy technologies; however, their availability faces significant threats due to geopolitical tensions, supply scalability, and environmental concerns. Product design engineering and strategic product design play a critical role in addressing these challenges, because solutions such as recycling, material substitution, or extending product life cycles are only feasible if considered during the design process. Furthermore, recent European policy developments, such as the Critical Raw Materials Act and the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation will necessitate novel design approaches that reduce reliance on scarce materials and promote product longevity and recyclability.

The successful candidate will investigate and develop robust design methodologies specifically tailored to mitigate the risks and dependencies related to critical raw materials. Core strategies such as Design for Recycling, Design for Longer Lifetimes, and Design for Material Substitution will be central to the research. The candidate will both innovate and synthesize existing design approaches to establish comprehensive, practical guidelines applicable across diverse product categories and industries.

There is significant flexibility in this position. An example of concrete outputs be to develop a design guide on product-level strategies for CRM management and create actionable recommendations to materials scientists or policy makers. Special attention will be given to geopolitical dynamics affecting material availability.

The PhD researcher will actively collaborate with existing research projects on CRMs led by Dr. Sprecher and Dr. Rossi, and sustainable design projects led by prof. Balkenende including projects with major companies in the aerospace, automotive and high-tech sectors (such as Airbus, Tesla, and ASML). There will also be proactive engagement with governmental institutions and smaller innovative enterprises to understand which design strategies are most fruitful. The outcomes will contribute to the broader discourse on sustainable design practices in the context of material scarcity and geopolitics. Beyond academic publications, the researcher will have the opportunity to contribute whitepapers and roadmaps, and engage actively with stakeholders.

This PhD position is part of the newly established interdisciplinary Climate Safety & Security centre (CaSS) at TU Delft | Campus The Hague. This centre runs an ambitious programme that considers climate change and stability in an integrated manner, with focus on human security, security of supply of fundamental needs (water, food) and essential resources (energy, critical materials). The PhD-student will contribute to the flagship Materials Security within CaSS, through which the PhD researcher will have the opportunity to collaborate with researchers from across TU Delft, as well as policy makers from (national) governments and (inter)national organisations in The Hague and beyond.

The ideal candidate has a Master's degree in Industrial Design, Industrial Ecology, or closely related fields, with demonstrable expertise in industrial design methods, critical raw materials, life cycle assessment, or materials engineering. The candidate should have good scientific writing and communication skills, and a keen interest in sustainability and circular economy principles.

Job requirements

• Masters in Industrial Design, Industrial Ecology, or a closely related field;
• Demonstrable experience with industrial design and/or critical raw materials;
• Affinity with Life Cycle Assessment, and/or materials engineering;
• Excellent scientific writing and communication skills;
• The candidate is expected to spend 1 day per week at the Climate Safety & Security centre of the TU Delft, The Hague Campus

TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)

Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context.

At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.

Challenge. Change. Impact!

Faculty Industrial Design Engineering

Matching the evolution of people with the speed of the revolution of technology. This is the focus of the Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering (IDE). Delft designers act as a bridge between advances in technology and the needs of people, organisations and society to create products, services and systems with purpose.

IDE is a leader in design research across the application areas of mobility, sustainability and health, as well as its development of design tools and methods. A 350-strong research team and over 2,000 students work together in our inspiring hall, labs and studios.

In close cooperation with industry, the public sector and NGOs we rehearse possible futures in research and education to design for a complex future.

Conditions of employment

Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1,5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months. Followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2,5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met.
Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from € 2901 per month in the first year to € 3707 in the fourth year. As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills.The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.

Will you need to relocate to the Netherlands for this job? TU Delft is committed to make your move as smooth as possible! The HR unit, Coming to Delft Service, offers information on their website to help you prepare your relocation. In addition, Coming to Delft Service organises events to help you settle in the Netherlands, and expand your (social) network in Delft. A Dual Career Programme is available, to support your accompanying partner with their job search in the Netherlands.

Additional information

For more information about this vacancy, please contact Benjamin Sprecher (b.sprecher@tudelft.nl)