Job Opportunities

This opportunity is part of the part of the DREAM + PLUS - Co-fund programme. Further information can be found at; https://www.dreamplusplan.eu

Project 1: The digital integration of product lifecycle information and R-process models to provide real-time insights for circular economy business decisions. The realisation of circular economy-based business models is currently limited by a lack of digital information, tools and insights to support operational decisions. While industry has recently started to acquire large volumes of product lifecycle data, tools and platforms are still required to generate information and insights to effectively support decisions. Furthermore, the implications (e.g. yields, emissions, costs) of R-processes (e.g. recycle, remanufacture, refurbish), which are central to the circular economy, are not accessible to decision makers in a definite and timely fashion. This topic will develop an architecture and platform to integrate product lifecycle information and digital R-process models for on-demand insights.

Project 2: Development of an intelligent agent-based platform to support the dynamic exploration of opportunities for circular economy across supply chains. Several recent global events have exposed the volatility, vulnerability and importance of supply chains. The supply chains that will drive the circular economy is expected to exhibit even more volatility, since these supply chains will likely be disturbed by frequent changes in supply and demand, as well as the introduction and enforcement of international regulations. This topic will develop a digital marketplace platform, based on AI agents, that can explore and negotiate opportunities within and across supply chains on behalf of business actors. Agents in this ecosystem will be able to share information, execute strategies (likely employing machine learning or large language models) and interface with human decision makers.

Project 3: Development of an intelligent product platform to enable product-driven decisions and operations for a circular economy. This topic will focus on the development of a digital platform that maintains the digital representations of physical products, which allow these products to execute autonomous functions related to their contribution to a circular economy. For instance, the digital representations of products may alert decisions makers of optimal timing/conditions for the execution of R-processes, based on acquired product lifecycle data and the deployment of prediction and optimization models. This product-driven mechanism will serve as a key enabler for the prioritization of circularity as a means towards sustainability within existing business models.

With, or expected to gain a high 2:1, preferably a 1st class honours degree or master's in Engineering or STEM topics

Applications should be initially submitted via the DREAM+PLAN portal https://www.dreamplusplan.eu/offered-phd-positions. More instructions will be circulated during the selection process https://www.dreamplusplan.eu/application-process

Please note that any offer of funding will be conditional on securing a place as a PhD student. Candidates will need to apply separately for admission through the University's Graduate Admissions application portal; this will be done after applying and being shortlisted for this funding opportunity.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.