PhD Candidate (Robotic Recycling)

TL;DR

PhD Candidate (Robotic Recycling): Conducting research on design methodologies for electronic products to enable controlled robotic disassembly and material recovery with an accent on product architecture and circular economy principles. Focus on developing design guidelines, investigating innovative joining technologies, and validating methodologies through industrial case studies.

Location: Must be based in or relocate to Delft, Netherlands

Salary: €3,059–€3,881 per month

Company

Delft University of Technology (hirify.global) is a leading international research university combining science, engineering, and design to address global challenges in energy, climate, and digital society.

What you will do

• Explore design strategies for electronic products to enable controlled destructive robotic disassembly.
• Analyze the relationship between product architecture and robotic disassembly processes.
• Investigate innovative joining technologies and active disassembly methods.
• Develop design guidelines and methods that integrate robotic disassembly into designer workflows.
• Validate methodologies through industrial case studies in collaboration with European partners.
• Participate in two international secondments (2-3 months) at industrial partner sites.

Requirements

• Master degree in Industrial Design, Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related field.
• Strong interest in design for sustainability and circular economy.
• Effective communication in English, both orally and in writing.
• Must not have resided or worked in the Netherlands for more than 12 months in the 36 months preceding 01/10/2026.
• Ability to collaborate in a multidisciplinary environment and participate in mandatory international secondments.

Nice to have

• Practical experience in design of electromechanical systems.
• Experience with robot programming or industrial/collaborative robots.
• Knowledge of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA).

Culture & Benefits

• 4-year employment contract with an initial 1.5-year term and progress assessment.
• 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus.
• Enrollment in the hirify.global Graduate School with access to a Doctoral Education Programme.
• Customizable compensation package and discounts on health insurance.
• Support for relocation via the Coming to Delft Service and a Dual Career Programme for partners.
• Flexible work schedules available.

Hiring process

• Application via online portal including CV, cover letter, and mandatory Summary Sheet.
• Risk assessment regarding knowledge security conducted in the final stages.