PhD researcher 'Human factors and service design for operational readiness'

Let’s shape the future - University of Antwerp

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Research at Antwerp Maritime Academy (AMA) is based on interdisciplinary questions and an integrated approach. The academy capitalises on its unique position within national and international maritime networks and actively seeks collaborations across disciplinary boundaries.

Both the Department of Product Development in the Faculty of Design Sciences and Antwerp Maritime Academy are looking for a full-time (100%) doctoral scholarship holder. Your time will be evenly distributed (50-50) at both institutes.

About the project

WELL-OPS (WELLbeing for OPerational Superiority) is a four-year research project focused on human factors, occupational wellbeing and operational readiness in sustained maritime operations, including naval deployments.

The project aims to develop and validate a deployment readiness framework that connects human wellbeing and functioning to operational performance. To achieve this, WELL-OPS combines longitudinal research in operational maritime settings with research conducted in the Dar Młodzieży living lab and controlled experiments in AMA’s MISSIM full-mission simulator.

A central ambition of WELL-OPS is to move beyond monitoring and understanding human factors towards translating research findings into solutions that can be embedded in operational practice. The project therefore develops a Product-Service System (PSS) that integrates monitoring tools with services, workflows and decision support. This approach will support personnel and organisations in identifying, interpreting and acting upon factors that influence wellbeing, readiness and operational performance over time.

The PhD researcher will contribute to the development and evaluation of this approach by investigating how human factors and wellbeing can be monitored longitudinally, how these insights relate to operational performance, and how they can be translated into evidence-based interventions and operational support. The research will combine human factors and psychological research with longitudinal data collection, experimental research and Product-Service System and service design methodologies.

WELL-OPS brings together the University of Antwerp (UAntwerpen), Antwerp Maritime Academy (AMA) and research and technology partners. This multidisciplinary environment provides the PhD researcher with the opportunity to conduct research across academic, experimental and operational settings, and to contribute to solutions intended for implementation in real-world maritime operations.

Position

Your doctorate will focus on translating human-factors evidence into usable monitoring, feedback and support for maritime personnel and organisations. Field research and user evaluation will ground this system-level work in operational reality. You will contribute across the project, with a particular focus on PSS translation and validation in WP3–WP5. Your responsibilities will include:

• Investigate the needs of seafarers, home-front participants and operational organisations through interviews, observations, surveys and participatory research.
• Prepare and personally conduct agreed field studies aboard vessels and in other project settings, including repeated measurements and user evaluations. Coordinate participants, schedules, data quality and practical follow-up with AMA.
• Contribute to selecting, adapting and testing psychological and behavioural measures under supervision, considering validity, reliability, participant burden and operational feasibility.
• Analyse data relevant to your doctoral questions with support from the postdoc, and use the project’s readiness indicators and modelling results to inform system design.
• Develop user profiles, deployment journey maps, system requirements and PSS concepts with UA design specialists, linking indicators to user needs, workflows and intervention logic.
• Develop and evaluate user-centred services, monitoring and support processes that translate research findings into practical solutions, in collaboration with project partners.
• Evaluate usability, acceptability, measurement burden and organisational fit across the testbeds, and contribute to deployment protocols, training and implementation guidance.
• Develop a coherent doctoral thesis and publications, contribute to relevant deliverables and dissemination, and coordinate student contributions linked to your studies.

Supervision and collaboration

AMA provides psychological and maritime supervision and operational research support. UA provides scientific leadership and PSS supervision. The postdoc leads cross-testbed data integration and longitudinal modelling and supports your research methods and analysis. Simulator research is shared with AMA’s dedicated simulator researcher. MADE develops technical prototype components. Together, the team will agree with your research scope and fieldwork commitments, protecting time for PSS development, analysis and writing.

Profile

Essential qualifications and capabilities

• You hold a master degree (or you will have obtained it by the time of appointment) in a relevant master’s degree, for example in psychology, human factors, behavioural science, ergonomics, HCI, Product Development, Service Design or Product-Service System (PSS) design, with evidence of empirical research on people, behaviour or human-system interaction.
• You have a good knowledge of Dutch and English, both oral and written.
• Your research qualities are in line with the faculty and university research policies.
• Your teaching competences are in line with the University of Antwerp’s educational vision.
• You act with attention to quality, integrity, creativity and cooperation.
• Experience conducting empirical research, for example through a master’s thesis, and a sound foundation in quantitative analysis and research methods.
• A foundation in human behaviour or human-system interaction, and a clear interest in translating research findings into practical support through user-centred design.
• Strong practical organisation and follow-through: you can arrange research activities, maintain reliable participant contact and identify problems early.
• Willingness and availability to carry out agreed periods of research on location and aboard vessels, including extended campaigns. Exact duration, timing and practical arrangements will be agreed in advance.
• Ability to work independently within an agreed protocol, seek support when needed and collaborate with researchers, seafarers and external partners.
• Good English communication and academic writing skills, and motivation to complete a doctoral thesis.

Additional strengths

• Affinity with the maritime sector and an interest in the working and living conditions of seafarers.
• Experience in occupational wellbeing, fatigue, sleep, workload, cognitive performance or maritime and other operational environments.
• Experience with repeated-measures research, psychometrics, statistical software such as R, or qualitative analysis.
• Familiarity with PSS, service design, participatory design, digital monitoring tools or wearable measurements.
• Dutch language skills that support interviews and participant communication in Dutch-speaking research settings.

What we offer

• We offer a a jointly supervised doctoral research environment combining psychological, maritime, methodological and design expertise. You will gain experience in applied field research and evidence-based service design, with opportunities for scientific publication and dissemination. The proposed appointment is full-time for the four-year WELL-OPS project. The employing institution or institutions, doctoral programme, contractual arrangements, start date and employment conditions will be specified in the final vacancy following confirmation of the joint AMA-UA arrangements.
• The planned start date is January 2027 or as soon as possible after that date.
• We offer the opportunity to take part in academic activities within the scope of your work, as well as the opportunity to further develop yourself through training and education.
• As a doctoral researcher, you will have access to a wide and varied range of courses and an educational credit through the Antwerp Doctoral School.
• Your monthly scholarship amount is calculated according to the scholarship amounts for doctoral scholarship holders.
• You will receive ecocheques, Internet-connectivity allowance, and a bicycle allowance or a full reimbursement of public transport costs for commuting.
• You will do most of your work at Campus Paardenmarkt in a dynamic and stimulating working environment, the remainder of the time at the Antwerp Maritime Academy.
• Find out more about working at the University of Antwerp here.

Want to apply?

• You can apply for this vacancy through the University of Antwerp’s online job application platform. Click on the 'Apply' button and complete the online application form. Be sure to include the following attachments:
  • A motivation letter outlining their relevant research experience and interest in the project
  • An academic CV and a short description of your master’s research or a comparable empirical project.
• Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. The selection committee reviews all applications on a weekly basis. The proposed selection procedure consists of application screening, a short online interview and an interview with representatives of AMA and UA. Candidates will be invited to discuss how they would organise and conduct an applied research study.
• If you have any questions about the online application form, please check the frequently asked questions or send an email to jobs@uantwerpen.be. If you have any questions about the job itself, please contact liese.berkvens@uantwerpen.be.

The University of Antwerp received the European Commission’s HR Excellence in Research Award for its HR policy. We are a sustainable, family-friendly organisation which invests in its employees’ growth. We encourage diversity and attach great importance to an inclusive working environment and equal opportunities, regardless of gender identity, disability, race, ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation or age. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds and with diverse characteristics to apply.