"Professional Doctorate Candidate in the maritime field"

Are you interested in making the (maritime) maintenance sector safer and more sustainable? In bringing the output of academic research to full potential in everyday practice? Would you like to work on state-of-the-art practice-based research questions straight from the maintenance sector?

We are looking for candidates who recognize themselves in one or more of the following profiles: Managers and senior professionals working in private/public organizations in the maritime domain. Academic staff working at universities of applied sciences/universities looking for a further step in their research career.

Here's how you will make a difference: You will conduct practice-oriented research that contributes to the sustainability, safety, and competitiveness of the maritime sector. In particular, our group is engaged in multiple (inter-)national research projects which include the topic of repair innovations. With the introduction of novel repair methodologies, such as the cold spray method, new capabilities can be developed to enable a sustainable restoration of parts of high value with an efficient repair process.

This Professional Doctorate is the practice-oriented equivalent of PhD tracks at universities where the candidate conducts research at a university of applied sciences at the highest level. Our group is engaged in multiple (inter-)national research projects which include the topic of cold spray. Cold spray shows great promise as a repair technology that can reduce the need for spare parts and decrease downtime.

Your professional doctorate program starts with a proposal phase. Before you start working at AUAS, you are expected to write a research proposal for the maritime program, together with the lector and supervisors. You bring in your own vision and network. After a positive assessment, via the PD-program, you receive a one-year employment contract, followed by a potential three-year contract. The aim is to submit the proposal beginning of 2026 and to start with the PD trajectory (contract) after the summer 2026.

During your Professional Doctorate route, you follow support courses to further develop yourself and your research skills. As a member of our multidisciplinary team, you are supervised by a professor and fellow researchers.

What you bring to the table: A completed university of applied sciences or university master’s degree in the maritime field or in another relevant field e.g., Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science & Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or similar with a research topic relevant for this project; Affinity with the solid mechanics and materials engineering background; A demonstrable good command of the English language (at least level C1); A good command of the Dutch language or willingness to learn is a plus; An EU residency or work permit is mandatory; Prior experience in mechanical testing and/or materials characterization is highly desirable; Up-to-date knowledge of maritime practice and experience in maintenance and repair is a plus; Research and publication experience is a plus, however, this vacancy is not open to people that already hold a Ph.D.