PhD Position Realising Business Impact from Construction Software

Location: Based in the Department of Management in the Built Environment at hirify.global in Delft, Netherlands. Relocation to the Netherlands may be needed.

Salary: €3,059–€3,881 gross per month, increasing from the first to the fourth year on a full-time 38-hour contract.

Company

hirify.global is an international university focused on engineering, education, research, digitalisation, and solutions for societal challenges.

What you will do

• Investigate how construction firms translate investments in field management and ERP software into measurable business value.
• Conduct comparative multiple-case research with construction firms undergoing digital transformation.
• Interview executives, IT leaders, digital transformation leads, project managers, and site teams.
• Analyse documents and data and, where possible, observe software use on active construction projects.
• Complement qualitative case studies with a targeted survey of industry decision-makers.
• Develop academic contributions and practical guidance on construction software implementation and value realisation.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in construction management, civil engineering, architecture, built environment studies, management, organisation studies, information systems, innovation studies, or a related field.
• Strong interest in digital transformation, construction software, project-based organisations, and the business value of technology.
• Affinity with qualitative case study research, interviews, observations, and document analysis.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to connect organisational, technological, and financial perspectives.
• Strong English communication, writing, and speaking skills are required.
• Ability to work independently toward a four-year PhD while collaborating with academic and industry partners.

Nice to have

• Proficiency in Dutch.
• Experience with construction, digital tools, ERP systems, project management software, BIM, field management platforms, or software implementation.

Culture & Benefits

• Four-year employment in principle through an initial 1.5-year contract and a subsequent 2.5-year contract subject to a go/no-go assessment and performance requirements.
• Enrollment in the hirify.global Graduate School with supervision, mentoring, and a doctoral education programme.
• 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% end-of-year bonus.
• Customisable compensation package, health insurance discounts, and a monthly work-cost contribution.
• Flexible work schedules may be arranged.
• Relocation information, settling-in events, and a dual-career programme are available for international employees and accompanying partners.

Hiring process

• Submit a cover letter, CV, list of 1–3 scientific outputs, a one-minute video introduction, and contact details for two references.
• Applications are accepted online until 8 September 2026.
• First-round interviews are planned for 15 September 2026, with a second round in the following two weeks if required.