PhD Position Co-creating Circular Business Models and Services (Sustainability)

TL;DR

PhD Candidate (Sustainability/Industrial Design): Co-creating circular business models and product-service systems for e-bikes and home appliances with an accent on consumer behavior change and R-strategies. Focus on designing market-ready propositions that nudge users toward repair, reuse, and refurbishment while ensuring viability for firms.

Location: Must be based in the Netherlands (Relocation support provided)

Salary: €3,059 – €3,881 gross per month

Company

hirify.global is a top international university combining science, engineering, and design to address global challenges in energy, climate, mobility, and digital society.

What you will do

• Co-create user-centered opportunity spaces and R-strategy requirements by translating behavioral insights into personas and user journeys.
• Develop circular propositions, such as repair subscriptions and take-back systems, in collaboration with value-chain and societal actors.
• Pilot and test co-designed propositions in real-world settings, focusing on e-bikes and white goods.
• Conduct research to identify behavior-change elements needed to nudge consumers into new product-service system (PSS) models.
• Collaborate with transdisciplinary partners and researchers across the CIVIC-4CE project.

Requirements

• MSc degree in design engineering, business, innovation studies, or a related field.
• Experience with participatory research methods, co-creation, or co-design approaches.
• Demonstrated interest in sustainability and circular economy.
• English proficiency (written and spoken) is essential.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in transdisciplinary contexts with diverse stakeholders.

Nice to have

• Experience in the micromobility sector or affinity with e-bikes.
• Working knowledge of Dutch language for fieldwork and pilots in the Netherlands.
• Affinity with design for behavior change.

Culture & Benefits

• Fully funded 4-year doctoral program with progressive salary increases.
• 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% end-of-year bonus.
• Comprehensive relocation support via the Coming to Delft Service and a Dual Career Programme for partners.
• Flexible work schedules and a customizable compensation package.
• Access to the hirify.global Graduate School for professional research and discipline-related skill development.

Hiring process

• Application requires a CV and motivational letter submitted via the online portal by 23 August 2026.
• Final selection stages include a knowledge security risk assessment.