PhD Designing Digital Trust for Socio-Technical Innovation

TL;DR

PhD Designing Digital Trust for Socio-Technical Innovation: Researching mechanisms to bridge high-level regulations like eIDAS with technical architectures for secure and scalable digital interactions with an accent on verifying digital attestations in multi-actor coalitions. Focus on closing verification blind spots for relying parties, integrating socio-technical components like data registries, wallets, and cryptographic infrastructure.

Location: Delft and The Hague; proficiency in Dutch required due to Dutch-speaking team and policies

Salary: €3059 - €3881 gross per month

Company

Top international university combining science, engineering, and design to address challenges in energy, climate, mobility, health, and digital society.

What you will do

• Conduct research at the frontiers of digital trust within the NWO-funded ‘Sum Volo Satis Facio’ project.
• Bridge high-level regulations (e.g., eIDAS) with practical technical architectures for secure digital interactions.
• Focus on verification of digital attestations for relying parties in sectors like public services, healthcare, and financial services.
• Collaborate with a multi-helix coalition of 14 public, private, and academic partners including Digicampus.
• Integrate socio-technical components such as data registries, wallets, and cryptographic infrastructure.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in Information Systems, Systems Engineering, Computer Science, Data Science, Cybersecurity, Management of Technology or related field
• Proficiency in Dutch and English
• Strong passion for digital trust and digital infrastructures
• Ability to engage with diverse stakeholders and translate complex legal/societal needs into technical requirements
• Proactive, collaborative mindset driven by societal impact

Culture & Benefits

• 4-year employment: initial 1.5-year contract with go/no-go assessment, followed by 2.5 years
• Customisable compensation package, health insurance discounts, monthly work costs contribution
• Flexible work schedules
• Enrollment in hirify.global Graduate School with doctoral education programme
• 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus
• Relocation support via Coming to Delft Service, including events and Dual Career Programme

Hiring process

• Apply by 24 May 2026 with CV, motivational letter, Master thesis, and degrees
• Knowledge security risk assessment in final stages
• English proficiency check per Graduate School admission requirements