Job posting - PhD scholarship on Visual Modelling of Complex Engineering Systems - Technical University of Denmark
DTU Management Engineering offers one 3-year PhD fellowship to conduct research into Visual Modelling of Complex Engineering Systems Design. The position will be based in the Engineering Systems Group.
The research project, part of the EuroTech Universities Alliance Partnership, will be carried out in association with the Institute of Product Development at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and other industry partners and public organisations.
Responsibilities and tasks
Engineering design deals with complex subject matters. Visualisations are fundamental to studying and communicating complex subject matters. However, beyond acknowledging this value, hardly any emphasis has been paid to the role of visual modelling in engineering systems design. Visualisations stimulate thought, enable collaboration across technical disciplines, inform technical as well as business decision making processes, and increase our ability to spot and avoid mistakes. Awareness and integration of different views is particularly important against the background of large-scale engineering projects, with the involvement of a myriad of technical and non-technical audiences. Moreover, we can observe a trend towards model-based engineering, enabling significant productivity improvements in the design process. However, operationalising the opportunities of model-based engineering is currently limited due to a lack of intuitive visual notations.
Therefore, the project’s overall objective is to generate and enable the conscious use of integrated and interactive visualisations in engineering systems design that support integration of multiple views, uncover trends in data, and provide engineering intelligence for robust decision-making. In other words, the successful candidate will be able to model and communicate complex subject matters in ways that are understandable and actionable by decision-makers (e.g. in the form of visual representations, including network graphs, infographics, and dashboards).
Core questions include:
•How best to model and visualise complex systems?
•How to use visual design of information to unearth trends in data, enable insights and foster robust decision-making?
•What visualisations work best for communication among a variety of audiences?
•How to balance information content and interaction qualities of visualisations?This project cherises the fruitful intersection between network science and design. Depending on the disciplinary background and expertise of the candidate, there are opportunities to tailor the project and push the research frontiers accordingly.
We invite talented candidates who are passionate about conducting key research activities such as a) identifying critical transdisciplinary communication situations in the development cycle of engineering systems through literature reviews, field studies, and data-mining, b) analysing and categorising existing visualisations with respect to their particular properties, e.g. for supporting transdisciplinary communication situations, c) developing appropriate information visualisations and visual languages, d) testing for improved model comprehension by conducting experiments, and e) guiding visual modelling practices for improved complex engineering system design research and industry practice.
Qualifications
Candidates should have a master's degree in engineering or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to the master's degree in engineering. The interdisciplinary nature of the project means that applicants from a broad range of technical backgrounds will be considered. Applicants should have (or expect to obtain by the start date) a first class degree or equivalent, preferably in engineering, computer science, information design, graphic design, psychology, or behavioural economics. Preference will be given to those candidates with a high level of English who can demonstrate an aptitude for programming, conceptual and empirical work and the confidence to network within academic, public, and commercial organisations.
Approval and Enrolment
The scholarships for the PhD degree are subject to academic approval, and the candidates will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes of DTU. For information about the general requirements for enrolment and the general planning of the scholarship studies, please see the DTU PhD Guide.
Assessment
The assessment of the applicants will be made by an internal committee headed by Prof. Dr. Anja Maier.
We offer
We offer an interesting and challenging job in an international environment focusing on education, research, public-sector consultancy and innovation, which contribute to enhancing the economy and improving social welfare. We strive for academic excellence, collegial respect and freedom tempered by responsibility. The Technical University of Denmark (DTU) is a leading technical university in northern Europe and benchmarks with the best universities in the world.
Salary and appointment terms
The salary and appointment terms are consistent with the current rules for PhD degree students. The period of employment is 3 years.
You can read more about the Engineering Systems Group here.
Application
Please submit your application in one PDF file no later than Friday, July 31, 2015.
The project is envisaged to commence in 2015.
Applications must be submitted as one pdf file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply online," fill in the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one pdf file. The file must include:
•A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
•Curriculum vitae
•Two reference contacts
•A brief description of your own research activities and ideas for future research in the field (1-3 pages)
•An information visualisation / design portfolio (if applicable)
•Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma
•Excel sheet with translation of grades to the Danish grading system (see guidelines and excel spreadsheet here)
Candidates may apply prior to obtaining their master's degree, but cannot begin before having received it.
All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, disability, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.
