PhD in Regenerative Ecologies of Design and Production

Introduction

What happens if you grow the materials of your design yourself Does it shift the way you take care of use them or discard them What does it do to your understanding of the materials relations to other beings and matter in your environment And what if we can scale up this way of working to position design as a regenerative ecological practice

Job Description

This research project adopts a radical paradigm shift to respond to ongoing ecological tensions and sustainability concerns. More-than-human design proposes to understand design practice as a broad set of entangled human and non-human relations challenging anthropocentric worldviews that underpin extractive practices. Yet it remains challenging to escape human-centeredness as it is deeply embedded in our materials tools and facilities. This PhD position shifts our view of design to a collaborative act between humans and doing so it aims to map out understand and design regenerative fabrication spaces and research-through-design exemplars.

You will conduct a literature review on regenerative design practices conduct multispecies ethnography to map relations in existing regenerative design studios (in backyards community gardens farms and forests) and create write about and exhibit design exemplars that restore renew and revitalize socio-technical and ecological systems. Your work will contribute to the research of the making-with cluster at Industrial Design specifically to establish and grow the MoTH studio: a regenerative biosensing cohabitation space on the TU/e campus.

This position is part of the Regenerative Ecologies of Design and Production for European Heritage (RED&Pro) project which proposes a transformative research and innovation agenda that positions Europes cultural heritage as a driver of the green and digital transitions. The project will establish a new culture of regenerative design enabling professional designers craft practitioners industries and policymakers to collaborate across sectorsfrom textiles and ceramics to woodworking metalwork and architectureand pioneer value creation models that move decisively beyond sustainability. Through six experimental RED-Labs RED&Pro will pilot place-based production ecosystems that integrate traditional craft techniques with digital innovation bioregional material ecologies and circular resource flows. These laboratories will demonstrate how material reuse bio-based sourcing and interdisciplinary methodologies can reduce dependence on fragile global supply chains while strengthening resilient urbanrural economies. Combining research on regenerative design with design-led methodologies the project will generate evidence tools and scalable methods and models that demonstrate how cultural heritage can underpin a new regenerative economy for Europe. A strong multidisciplinary consortium of cultural and creative sector innovators industry partners and academic experts ensures that RED&Pro will deliver both research excellence and practical pathways toward ecological social and economic regeneration.

Job Requirements

• A masters degree (or an equivalent university degree)in a design-related field.
• A research-oriented attitude and an open curious mind research experience is a plus
• Design practice experiences in digital craft or related areas interdisciplinary experience is a plusRW1
• A willingness to stay with the trouble and to simultaneously learn and unlearn.OD2
• Experiences with regenerative practices such as biomaterial prototyping multispecies ethnography gardening or other are a plus
• Skills in sketching filmmaking and other forms of design communication and documentation are a plus.
• Fluent in spoken and written English (C1 level).
  
  

Conditions of Employment

A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university in an interdisciplinary setting and within an international network. You will work on a beautiful green campus within walking distance of the central train addition we offer you:

• Full-time employment for four years with an intermediate assessment after nine months. You will spend a minimum of 10% of your four-year employment on teaching tasks with a maximum of 15% per year of your employment.
• Salary and benefits (such as a pension scheme paid pregnancy and maternity leave partially paid parental leave) in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities scale P (min. 3059 - max. 3881).
• A year-end bonus of 8.3% and annual vacation pay of 8%.
• High-quality training programs and other support to grow into a self-aware autonomous scientific researcher. At TU/e we challenge you to take charge of your own learning process.
• An excellent technical infrastructure on-campus childrens day care and sports facilities.
• Unlimited access to the modern oncampus TU/e Student Sports Center at an exceptionally affordable rate.
• An allowance for commuting working from home and internet costs.
• A Staff Immigration Team and a tax compensation scheme (the 30% facility) for international candidates.

On our website you can discover even more information about our conditions of employment. Build on your career at TU/e!

About us

We are a leading international university where scientific curiosity meets a hands-on mindset. We work in an open and collaborative way with high-tech industries to tackle complex societal challenges. Our responsible and respectful approach ensures impact today and in the future. TU/e is home to over 13000 students and more than 7000 staff forming a diverse and vibrant academic community.

Our university is located in Brainport Eindhoven a worldleading tech region with more than 7000 hightech companies and strong R&D activity. Known for breakthroughs in AI photonics semiconductors and advanced manufacturing Brainport is a place where technology serves people and society. Learn more about the Brainport region here.

Information

Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more Please contact the hiring manager dr. O. Tomico Plasencia .

Visit our website for more information about the application process. You can also contact .

Curious to hear more about what its like as a PhD candidate at TU/e Please view the video.

Are you inspired and would like to know more about working at TU/e Please visit our career page.

Application

We invite you to submit a complete application by using the apply button. The application should include a:

• Cover letter in which you describe your motivation and qualifications for the position.
• Curriculum vitae including a list of your publications and the contact information of three references. Kindly note that we may reach out to references at any stage of the recruitment process. We recommend notifying your references upon submitting your application.
• Design portfolio (submitted as pdf portfolio or pdf document with link to website)

Ensure that you submit all the requested application documents. We give priority to complete applications.

We look forward to receiving your application and will screen it as soon as possible. The vacancy will remain open until the position is filled.

Please note

• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
• A pre-employment screening (e.g. knowledge security check) can be part of the selection procedure. For more information on the knowledge security check please consult the National Knowledge Security Guidelines.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.