Open PhD position in Materialities of Social Interaction Design

Level: Master degree
Working hours: 38 hours per week 
Contract: 4 years
Salary: €2042 to €2612 per month gross

A PhD position is available at Delft University of Technology (TU Delft), Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering (IDE). The hire is a 4-year, fully funded position to research what forms of materiality are best suited to bring the level of interaction provided by digital social networks into the realm of everyday artifacts and settings.

***Project description***

The role materials play in expressing meanings has been largely explored and emphasized in product design, particularly in the last decade. On the other hand, discussions on the ways in which different forms of materiality draw us to perform particular actions did not go beyond usual suspects like ‘transparency of a material stimulates us to look through’. Similarly, we observe in interaction design a trend to weave digital social networks into tangible artifacts without a clear understanding of the interplay between the material properties at work and the plastic, temporal qualities of digital social networks.

We welcome PhD proposals concerned with understanding how material objects and the everyday social practices in which they are embedded can offer “resources for action” to make digital networks fit more neatly around our lives. How can material objects reclaim influence on a digital social network? How can they meaningfully accrue and share data depending of how they are used in everyday life? How can they empower people in drawing meaningful and flexible connections that make the world bigger rather than smaller?

The project will expand current IDE research in Social Interaction Design by combining lines of inquiry in industrial design, human-computer interaction and social science concerned with how material objects are embedded into human social life. Proposals may include user studies, design studies and/or methods, and research-through-design.

***Candidate eligibility***

Applicants should hold (or expect to obtain) a Master degree in industrial design, industrial design engineering or human-computer interaction. Experience in research/education/design concerning materials selection in design and product experience will be an advantage. A willingness to reach across scientific disciplines is essential, as are technical aptitude and a willingness to explore new areas of research as this PhD position includes communication with diverse disciplines (social science, computer science, material research etc.). Excellent communication skills are essential. The candidate should hold an advanced level of English language, verbal as well as in writing.

***Supervisors and location***

The PhD candidate will be promoted by Prof. Dr. Elisa Giaccardi, who will provide the expertise in interactive media design, and supervised by Dr. Elvin Karana, who will provide the expertise in materials experience and meaning-driven material application.

The PhD candidate will be based in Delft University of Technology, Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering. The Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering at TU Delft offers the world's largest university program in design. Since it was founded in 1968, it has prepared 4500 designers. The faculty offers one bachelor degree and three master degrees and has a current total enrolment of around 2200 students. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring international environment; an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor; and a Doctoral Education Program aimed at developing transferable, discipline-related and research skills.

***How to apply***

To apply, please submit your CV, certificates of degree, a covering letter (including motivation and contact details for 2 letters of reference), a preliminary research proposal, and a design portfolio (if applicable) to J.M. Bierhuizen: [log in to unmask] Selected applicants will be asked to develop an extended version of the proposal.

When applying for this position, please refer to vacancy number AT/IO-0682.

For more information about this position, please contact: Professor Dr. Elisa Giaccardi ([log in to unmask]) and Dr. Elvin Karana ([log in to unmask]).

***Closing date***

June 15, 2013