PhD on worker-augmenting technology implementation

Job description

Are you eager to study how workers can shape the AI and robotic systems they use, so that technology helps them to improve their quality of working life and their performance? We are looking for a PhD candidate to become part of a multidisciplinary research programme on digital technology and work.
The project
AI and robotics can help workers handle demanding tasks, yet their actual benefits depend on how technologies are selected, introduced and adapted in everyday work. Workers may have too little say in those choices or face an overwhelming number of decisions without adequate support. The
Design work package of the NWA-project AUGMENT therefore asks when, how and to what extent workers themselves should be able to decide how technology supports their work. Its goal is to develop evidence-based guidance for worker-augmenting technology implementation across small and large organizations and among workers with different educational backgrounds. Thus, your work will directly contribute to a future of work wherein technology augments rather than replaces human work.
Your research will connect work and organizational psychology, work design, human-technology interaction and participatory design. You will examine which forms of assistance workers need, which technologies can meet those needs, and which job decision opportunities allow workers to adjust technology while sustaining their job quality, well-being and performance. The precise research questions and studies will be refined with the supervisory team and consortium partners.
Your role in this project
Within this project, you will:
Conduct fieldwork and collaborate with practical and knowledge workers in small and medium-sized and large organizations, by - among others - performing task and capacity analyses and interviews about their experience of work and desired support.
Review relevant AI and robotic applications, interview technology integrators, and help assess their potential to support workers using an available human-machine synergy scoring approach.
Develop and use a transportable laboratory setting at TU/e to study simulated work activities and decisions about AI and robotics
Design a longitudinal field study of how workers use decision opportunities over time and their implications for labour productivity and meaningful work.
Analyse qualitative and quantitative data, develop practical guidance for job redesign with partner organizations, and communicate findings to workers, organizations and other stakeholders.
Publish scientific papers, present at international conferences, and complete a doctoral dissertation.
Your research will be embedded in the
Human Performance Management (HPM) group of the School of Industrial Engineering at TU/e. HPM develops scientific knowledge and tests theories that uncover and explain (psychological) processes contributing to performance at the organizational, team, and individual level. By examining the ‘people factor’ in operational and innovation processes, HPM aims to ensure that employees can help in bringing organizational strategies to fruition in the most rewarding and efficient way possible. See:
https://www.tue.nl/en/research/research-groups/industrial-engineering/human-performance-management for more information about HPM research.
Prof. Dr Pascale Le Blanc
(TU/e) is the assigned promotor; your co-promotors are
Dr. Anna-Sophie Ulfert-Blank
(daily supervisor, TU/e) and
Dr. Milan Wolffgramm
(daily supervisor, Saxion).
Dr. Paul Preenen
(Saxion) will serve as scientific advisor. You will closely collaborate with partner organizations and theoretical and practical workers involved in the NWA-project AUGMENT.
The wider AUGMENT consortium connects research on changing work, worker agency, technology design and implementation. Thus, this PhD position offers ample opportunities to work across disciplines, collaborate actively with organizations and researchers from different institutes, and translate research into meaningful guidance and tools for practice.

Requirements

A (nearly completed) Master’s degree (or an equivalent university degree) in Work and Organizational Psychology, Industrial Engineering, Human-Technology Interaction, Organizational Design, Human Resource Management, Cognitive Science, Sociology, or a related discipline.
A strong interest in human-centred AI and robotics, work design, worker well-being, and action research in private and public organizations.
Experience with empirical research and an interest in combining qualitative fieldwork with experiments and quantitative longitudinal analysis; willingness to develop methods you have not yet used.
The ability to work independently and collaboratively in an interdisciplinary team of researchers and with workers and organizational partners, and to turn complex findings into clear scientific and practical outputs.
A proactive approach to working with and collecting data at organizations across different sectors (public and private).
Excellent written and spoken English (C1 level). Dutch language skills (B2 level and up) are useful for fieldwork with organizations and workers.
Motivated to develop your teaching skills and coach students.

Conditions of employment

Fixed-term contract
: 4 years.
A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university, in an interdisciplinary setting and within an international network. You will work on a beautiful, green campus within walking distance of the central train station.
In addition, we offer you:
Full-time employment for four years, with an intermediate assessment after nine months. You will spend a minimum of 10% of your four-year employment on teaching tasks, with a maximum of 15% per year of your employment.
Salary and benefits (such as a pension scheme, paid pregnancy and maternity leave, partially paid parental leave) in accordance with the
Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities
, scale P (min. € 3,204 - max. € 4,051 gross base salary per month (full-time)).
In addition to your base salary, you will receive an 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% year-end bonus, both calculated based on your annual gross base salary.
Generous leave options: a standard 29 days (based on a 38 hour working week) per year that you can increase to 41 days by working two hours more per week (flexible working hours). This is prorated if you work part-time.
As a TU/e employee, you participate in the ABP pension scheme, providing retirement pension and pension benefits for surviving dependents and occupational disability. TU/e pays 70% of the pension premium, while employees contribute the remaining 30%.
High-quality training programs and other support to grow into a self-aware, autonomous scientific researcher. At TU/e we challenge you to take charge of your own learning process
.
An excellent technical infrastructure, and on-campus children's day care.
Unlimited access to the modern on‑campus
TU/e Student Sports Center at an exceptionally affordable rate.
We support your wellbeing with free 24/7 access to OpenUp, providing you and your family with mental health support, expert guidance, and online training.
An allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs.
A
Staff Immigration Team and a tax compensation scheme (the
Expat Scheme
) for international candidates.
On our website you can discover even more information about our

conditions of employment

. Build on your career at TU/e!

Employer
TU/e
We are a leading international university where scientific curiosity meets a hands-on mindset. We work in an open and collaborative way with high-tech industries to tackle complex societal challenges. Our responsible and respectful approach ensures impact — today and in the future. TU/e is home to over 13,000 students and more than 7,000 staff, forming a diverse and vibrant academic community. Discover what
Light Up means to TU/e in our short company video
.
Our university is located in Brainport Eindhoven — a world‑leading tech region with more than 7,000 high‑tech companies and strong R&D activity. Known for breakthroughs in AI, photonics, semiconductors and advanced manufacturing, Brainport is a place where technology serves people and society. Learn more about the Brainport region here
.

Additional information

Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more? Please contact prof. dr. Pascale Le Blanc ( p.m.le.blanc@tue.nl
), dr. Anna-Sophie Ulfert-Blank ( a.s.ulfert.blank@tue.nl
) or dr. Milan Wolffgramm ( m.r.wolffgramm@saxion.nl
).
Visit our website for more information about the

application process

. You can also contact Jolanda van der Sande, HR-officer, j.i.v.d.sande@tue.nl or +31 40 247 4979.
Curious to hear more about what it’s like as a PhD candidate at TU/e? Please view the video
.
Are you inspired and would like to know more about working at TU/e? Please visit our career page.