PhD Advancing consumer acceptance of additive manufacturing technologies for repair & refurbishment

The PhD candidate will investigate motivators and barriers in consumer acceptance of 3D printing for repair and refurbishment practices and develop and test interventions to increase adoption.

Job description

The research group of Responsible Marketing and Consumer Behaviour at the Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering (IDE) is looking for a PhD to do research on the transition to a Circular Economy through increasing consumer adoption of repair/refurbishment practices with the aid of additive manufacturing (AM) technologies (e.g., 3D printing).

The research group Responsible Marketing and Consumer Research focusses on theories and models from marketing and consumer research that can contribute to successful new product development (NPD). The group has experience in teaching and conducting high quality research on consumer behaviour in NPD, consumers' perceptions of new product designs, and on improving the acceptance of new sustainable alternatives. By enhancing knowledge in these areas, we aim to help designers create more successful and sustainable product and services.

A Circular Economy requires changes in consumer behaviour, such as adopting repair practices and purchasing refurbished products. However, consumers face barriers to adopting such circular behaviours. For repair, challenges include time, effort, lack of knowledge, high costs, availability of spare parts and perceived low product value. Repair and refurbishments are also met with scepticism, as consumers often associate it with lower quality and wear. As a result, repair is rarely considered, and refurbishment occupies a small share of the consumer market.

This PhD project will explore how AM can increase consumer adoption of repair and refurbishment, as AM offers unique opportunities for customization, fast and cost-effective repairs and enhanced product value. However, consumer perceptions of AM in repair and refurbishment contexts remain unclear, as does their likelihood of adopting these solutions based on product design integration. Accordingly, this PhD project aims to answer the following research questions:

1) What motivators and barriers do consumers experience regarding AM-based repair and remanufacturing? and 2) Which design strategies will increase consumer adoption of AM-based repair and remanufacturing?

To answer these research questions, we expect to use a mixed-method approach, including both consumer research (qualitative and quantitative) and Research-through-Design (RtD).

This PhD project will be part of a larger, NWO-funded project on Additive Manufacturing in repair and remanufacturing (called ADD-ReAM), which includes, in total, 15 PhDs who focus on other aspects such as technical design aspects, logistics, sustainability assessment, consumer behaviour, and more.

Job requirements

We are looking for a candidate with a background in design, consumer behaviour, psychology, or sustainability, who has a strong interest in studying the intersections between design, consumer behaviour, and sustainability.

The candidate should meet the following criteria:

• a Master degree in Industrial Design, Marketing/Consumer Behaviour, Psychology or in any related field.
• strong conceptual and analytical skills with an attitude for research and critical thinking.
• excellent methodological skills, preferably in both qualitative (e.g., interviews) and quantitative research methods (e.g., survey and experiments).
• very good command of English, reading, writing, and speaking, understanding of Dutch is considerd a plus, but not critical.   
• a proactive, flexible and collaborative personality, motivated to engage with different partners involved in the project such as UTwente, TU Eindhoven, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Stichting Repair Cafes, Signify, Techniek Nederland and others.

All applications must be submitted in the form of three PDF files:

1) A motivation letter of not more than 1 page

2) A curriculum vitae including all grades obtained for the MSc degree

3) A reference letter written by a previous supervisor or employer

The starting date is planned for January 2026.

TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)

Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context.At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.

Challenge. Change. Impact!

Faculty Industrial Design Engineering

Matching the evolution of people with the speed of the revolution of technology. This is the focus of the Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering (IDE). Delft designers act as a bridge between advances in technology and the needs of people, organisations and society to create products, services and systems with purpose.IDE is a leader in design research across the application areas of mobility, sustainability and health, as well as its development of design tools and methods. A 350-strong research team and over 2,000 students work together in our inspiring hall, labs and studios.In close cooperation with industry, the public sector and NGOs we rehearse possible futures in research and education to design for a complex future.Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering.

Conditions of employment 
Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1,5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months. Followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2,5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met. 

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities , increasing from Promovendus gross per month, from the first year to the fourth year based on a fulltime contract (38 hours), plus 8% holiday allowance and an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%.  

As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills. 

The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.  

Will you need to relocate to the Netherlands for this job? TU Delft is committed to make your move as smooth as possible! The HR unit, Coming to Delft Service, offers information on their website to help you prepare your relocation. In addition, Coming to Delft Service organises events to help you settle in the Netherlands, and expand your (social) network in Delft. A Dual Career Programme is available, to support your accompanying partner with their job search in the Netherlands.  

Additional information
For more information about this vacancy, please contact prof.dr.ir. Ruth Mugge r.mugge@tudelft.nl or Dr. Giulia Granato g.granato@tudelft.nl

Application procedure
Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 15 November 2025 via the application button and upload the following documents:

1) A motivation letter of not more than 1 page

2) A curriculum vitae including all grades obtained for the MSc degree

3) A reference letter written by a previous supervisor or employer

You can address your application to prof.dr.ir. Ruth Mugge or dr. Giulia Granato.

For information about the application procedure, please contact Hanneke Sosef-de Haan, E: h.sosef-dehaan@tudelft.nl 

Doing a PhD at TU Delft requires English proficiency at a certain level to ensure that the candidate is able to communicate and interact well, participate in English-taught Doctoral Education courses, and write scientific articles and a final thesis. For more details please check the Graduate Schools Admission Requirements. 

Please note:

• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post. 
• As part of knowledge security, TU Delft conducts a risk assessment during the recruitment of personnel. We do this, among other things, to prevent the unwanted transfer of sensitive knowledge and technology. The assessment is based on information provided by the candidates themselves, such as their motivation letter and CV, and takes place at the final stages of the selection process. When the outcome of the assessment is negative, the candidate will be informed. The processing of personal data in the context of the risk assessment is carried out on the legal basis of the GDPR: performing a public task in the public interest. You can find more information about this assessment on our website about knowledge security.
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