PhD on New business models to enable circularity in the hospital value chain

Do you have an interest in innovation, strategy, entrepreneurship, design, circular economy, sustainability and/or business models? Do you like the idea of working with management and innovation theories and combining them with quantitative and qualitative research methods to create sustainable and resilient healthcare system? Then we are looking for you!

This position is part of the NWO-funded research project 'Evidence-based Strategies to create Circular Hospitals: Applying the 10-Rs framework to healthcare' (ESCH-R) in which a consortium of researchers coordinated by Erasmus MC takes up the mission to accelerate the application of circular interventions in hospitals and reduce the ecological footprint of healthcare in the Netherlands. Together with industry partners, such as SABIC, Philips, Medtronic, two Dutch University Medical Centers, namely Erasmus Medical Center (EMC) and University Medical Center Utrecht (UMCU), and other consortium partners, the interdisciplinary research team will develop strategies that are circular, safe and scalable.

Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) is participating in a work package together with  Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR) where the aim is to identify Business Models and accompanying Ecosystem designs along with relevant Purchasing and Supply Management (PSM) strategies that create economic and environmental value for stakeholders along the value chain. The PhD project at TU/e will focus on the development of viable business models for supply chain partners to enable circularity in the hospital value chain. The execution of this project demands close collaboration with the PhD researcher at EUR-ESHPM, faculty at EUR-ESHPM, purchasers at EMC and UMCU, suppliers of medical devices and other consortium partners.

The PhD candidate will be based in the Innovation, Technology Entrepreneurship & Marketing (ITEM) group at TU/e. The group is part of the School of Industrial Engineering of the department IE&IS. The ITEM group consists of about 25 FTE faculty members and 20 FTE PhD students who participate in and contribute to the research, education and service program of the ITEM group. This program is one of the leading programs in the world and emphasizes means for measuring and improving the process of conceiving, developing, and launching new products and businesses, and also managing these products and businesses post-launch.

More information about the ITEM group can be found at: https://www.tue.nl/en/research/research-groups/industrial-engineering/innovation-technology-entrepreneurship-marketing/

Organization
Eindhoven University of Technology is one of the world's leading research universities (ranked by the Times Higher Education Supplement) and is particularly well known for its joint research with industry (ranked number one worldwide by the Centre for Science and Technology Studies). The Department of Industrial Engineering & Innovation Sciences (IE&IS) of Eindhoven University of Technology is one of the longest-established engineering schools in Europe, with a strong presence in the international research and education community, especially in the fields of Operations Management and Innovation Management, which are at the core of the undergraduate BSc program. The graduate programs (MSc and PhD) in Operations Management & Logistics and Innovation Management attract top-level students from all over the world.

Job description

You, as a successful applicant, will perform the research project outlined above in an international team. The research will be concluded with a PhD thesis. The supervisory team  will consist of Prof. dr. ir. Myriam Cloodt , dr. Vikrant Sihag and dr. Duygu Keskin. The tasks include:

• further developing and implementing the PhD trajectory
• publishing scientific articles and a dissertation on the research;
• developing tools (toolkit, e-learning, podcast) to disseminate the knowledge from the project;
• initiating and participating in knowledge transfer to external parties;
• following additional training in research methods and theories;
• providing education within ITEM with a maximum of 10% of the appointment.

Requirements:

• You have a Master's degree in Innovation Management, Industrial Engineering, Industrial Design, Strategic Management, Sustainability, Healthcare Management or a related discipline.
• You have a strong affinity with interdisciplinary research and working with academics as well as key stakeholders in the field, preferably in the healthcare sector.
• You have affinity and experience with business model design, innovation ecosystems, value chain design or procurement.    
• You have strong analytical skills and demonstrated research competences for performing qualitative, quantitative and design science research.
• You have the ability to work in a multidisciplinary team, and navigating and managing complex, multi-stakeholder settings involving technology experts, industrial partners, and other societal stakeholders.
• You like to take initiative and you are able to work on a challenging topic that has both basic and applied research aspects.
• You have excellent social, communication and organization skills to work effectively in a university and industry setting.
• Your verbal and written communication skills are excellent, your proficiency in English is excellent (C1 level) and knowledge of Dutch language is an advantage.

Anticipated starting date is September 1, 2024 at the latest.

Salary Benefits:

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 station. In addition, we offer you:

• Full-time employment for four years, with an intermediate evaluation (go/no-go) after nine months. You will spend 10% of your employment on teaching tasks.
• 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. €2,770 max. €3,539).
• 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 children's day care and sports facilities.
• 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. 

38 hours per week

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