PhD Position on a Geographical Perspective on 3D Printing Adoption and Impact

11 Jan 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

Utrecht University

Research Field

Physics

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

Netherlands

Application Deadline

1 Feb 2024 - 22:59 (UTC)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Not Applicable

Hours Per Week

40.0

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

Applications are invited for a PhD position that examines the drivers and impacts of the adoption of 3D printing (3DP) technologies in the United States. The main research question is twofold and focused, on the one hand, on understanding the geographical antecedent of 3DP adoption, while, on the other hand, on assessing the impact of 3DP on regional labour markets and innovation.

Your job
Additive manufacturing or 3D printing (3DP) is a set of technologies to manufacture goods by adding raw material, layer by layer, based on a digital model. These characteristics make 3DP deeply connected to geography for two reasons. Firstly, geography shapes the ability of firms to embrace 3DP, as spatial factors like knowledge centers (e.g. universities) and proximity to consumers play an important role in 3DP adoption. Secondly, 3DP fosters decentralised manufacturing and lower reliance on global value chain, as seen during the COVID crisis. By decentralising the geography of production, 3DP can have direct implications on economic and innovation dynamics at local level.

At the same time, the relation between 3DP and geography has so far been only marginally explored. While we know that local conditions matter for the adoption of new technologies, geographical factors associated specifically to 3DP have been largely overlooked. Similarly, only few scholars have studied the effects of 3DP, with little or no attention to geography, especially at sub-national level. As a result, there is no systematic evidence on the geography of 3DP adoption and impacts.

Within this project, this PhD candidate will engage with both the drivers and impacts of 3DP technologies. More specifically, the PhD candidate will link geographical factors to the adoption of 3DP technologies, aiming to shed light on why certain regions more easily embrace this technology. The PhD candidate will also consider whether and how local labour markets and innovation dynamics are affected by 3DP, exploring how these technologies affect workers differently (e.g. across skills and industries) and shape innovation dynamics (e.g. developing new products, fostering servitisation of manufacturing, etc.).

The work of the PhD candidate will entail the development of both new theoretical contributions and new empirical evidence. From a geographical perspective, the project is focused on the United States, the country with the largest adoption of 3DP technologies, significant heterogeneity in terms of industries and overall good availability of quantitative data.

Tasks of the PhD researchers consist of (but are not limited to):

• conducting scientific research on the topic of the project;
• quantitative data analysis;
• publishing results in scientific journals and presentation at international conferences in these fields;
• collaboration with academic partners;
• developing teaching skills, PhD candidates are expected to contribute to the teaching programme of the department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning to a limited degree (up to 10%). It may also involve the supervision of Master thesis projects.

Requirements
Specific Requirements

We seek a highly motivated PhD candidate who has a strong interest in thinking about regional diversification processes, specifically about the role of innovation, with:

• an MSc degree (or in the very final stage of the master) in Economic Geography, Economics, Innovation Studies or related fields;
• a strong affinity and motivation for doing scientific research in an interdisciplinary setting;
• an open mind, the ability to think creatively and outside the box;
• strong quantitative skills, with experience and/or a strong interest in working with micro-level and complex data (e.g. patents, occupations) being particularly welcome (though not necessary);
• an interest in academic theory development and abstraction as well as theory application;
• affinity with computer programming and related programmes (R, Python, Stata);
• an independent, pro-active working style;
• motivation to work in an international team with outside collaborators;
• excellent scientific communication skills (written and verbally) in English.

Additional Information
Benefits

We offer:

• a position for one year, with an extension to a total of four years upon a successful assessment in the first year, and with the specific intent that it results in a doctorate within this period;
• a working week of 36 hours and a gross monthly salary between €2,770 and €3,539 in the case of full-time employment (salary scale P under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU);
• 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus;
• a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU.

In addition to the terms of employment laid down in the CAO NU, Utrecht University has a number of schemes and facilities of its own for employees. This includes schemes facilitating professional development , leave schemes and schemes for sports and cultural activities , as well as discounts on software and other IT products. We also offer access to additional employee benefits through our Terms of Employment Options Model. In this way, we encourage our employees to continue to invest in their growth. For more information, please visit Working at Utrecht University .

Selection process

As Utrecht University, we want to be a home for everyone. We value staff with diverse backgrounds, perspectives and identities, including cultural, religious or ethnic background, gender, sexual orientation, disability or age. We strive to create a safe and inclusive environment in which everyone can flourish and contribute.

To apply, please send the following documents via the ‘apply now’ button:

• a motivation letter;
• a full CV;
• an official transcript of the applicant’s grades during the bachelor and master studies as well as the diplomas;
• the applicant’s Master thesis;
• one name of a referee (for example thesis supervisor) who may be contacted for a letter of reference.

The PhD candidate is expected to start by mid-2024.

Additional comments

For more information, please contact Dr Nicola Cortinovis via [email protected] .

Website for additional job details

https://www.academictransfer.com/336513/

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Universiteit Utrecht

Country

Netherlands

City

Utrecht

Postal Code

3584CB

Street

Princetonlaan 8a

Geofield

Where to apply

Website

https://www.academictransfer.com/en/336513/phd-position-on-a-geographical-persp…

Contact

City

Utrecht

Website

http://www.uu.nl/

Street

Domplein 29

Postal Code

3512 JE

STATUS: EXPIRED