PhD position on bridging the gap between Paper based Systems Engineering and Model Based Systems Engineering

Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) has been the promise for complex systems design for many years. Still, many companies struggle to implement it. They tend to rely on paper based systems engineering, where visual diagrams combined with interaction between engineers is used to create innovative system designs. The A3 Architecture Overviews (A3AO) are very helpful in that.

This project is about building a bridge between the visual/human systems engineering and MBSE.

You will investigate existing approaches to Systems Engineering at our industrial partners Canon Production Printing, Rademaker Industrial Bakery Equipment and VMI machinery. Building on their approaches and information infrastructures, you will improve the communication in the development process.

You will lead the development of a digital (file) format for the A3AOs that contains both visual and logical information, so that it can be used in inter-human conversations, and for feeding into MBSE and other digital information structures present in companies. Also, you will work on means to handle the A3AOs (like an editor).

PhD position on connecting the fuzzy frontend of systems engineering to existing information infrastructures.

Are you interested in this position? Please send your application via the 'Apply now' button below before August 1st, and include:

·         A cover letter (maximum 2 pages A4), emphasizing your specific interest, qualifications, motivations to apply for this position.

·         A Curriculum Vitae, including a list of all courses attended and grades obtained, and, if applicable, a list of publications and references.

·         An IELTS-test, Internet TOEFL test (TOEFL-iBT), or a Cambridge CAE-C (CPE). Applicants with a non-Dutch qualification and who have not had secondary and tertiary education in English can only be admitted with an IELTS-test showing a total band score of at least 6.5, internet. TOEFL test (TOEFL-iBT) showing a score of at least 90, or a Cambridge CAE-C (CPE).

For more information regarding this position, you are welcome to contact Maarten Bonnema (g.m.bonnema@utwente.nl) or Kostas Nizamis (k.nizamis@utwente.nl)

Screening is part of the selection procedure.

At SEMD we investigate designing in the field of multidisciplinary systems and research the role of Systems Engineering (SE) as an integrative discipline next to the traditional engineering fields. We apply systems thinking and system design tools in a systematic way, to facilitate multidisciplinary development projects.

We are a diverse and international team that values collaboration and initiative. We support and challenge each other to achieve high quality research output and we love to teach at bachelor, master, post-master levels and in industry.

The Faculty of Engineering Technology (ET) engages in education and research of Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering and Industrial Design Engineering. We enable society and industry to innovate and create value using efficient, solid and sustainable technology. We are part of a ‘people-first' university of technology, taking our place as an internationally leading center for smart production, processes and devices in five domains: Health Technology, Maintenance, Smart Regions, Smart Industry and Sustainable Resources. Our faculty is home to about 2,900 Bachelor's and Master's students, 550 employees and 150 PhD candidates. Our educational and research programmes are closely connected with UT research institutes Mesa+ Institute, TechMed Center and Digital Society Institute.