Researcher data spaces for sustainable production

FUNCTION

As a researcher, you will build novel software stacks based on cutting edge technologies and create manufacturing data ecosystems that improve sustainability in manufacturing and that help realizing a circular economy.

As a researcher at Flanders Make, you will combine novel tools stacks such as knowledge graphs, digital product passports, digital twins, and data spaces to create the data ecosystem platforms to support circular models, such as product servitization, reuse/refurbishment/remanufacturing, product lifetime extension for the (manufacturing) industry of the future .

You will be at the forefront of sustainability research in Flanders Make that helps achieving the goals of the European Green Deal, in order to achieve climate neutrality by 2050. This requires a profound shift towards more sustainable manufacturing by decreasing the environmental footprint and a more circular economy, that is centered around reusing products and materials for as long as it is ecological beneficial. To achieve this in the manufacturing industry, data ecosystem platforms are key enablers.

Development and Implementation of data ecosystem platforms for the Manufacturing Industry

You will join an agile environment where you collaborate with experts from software, mechanical, or mathematical engineering backgrounds, with expertise in areas such as model-driven engineering, computational design synthesis, optimization techniques, and mechatronic design.

Together, you will create and demonstrate software frameworks that will directly support the implementation of data ecosystem platforms in companies and their value chains. Together with our partners, you will demonstrate and validate these frameworks in manufacturing scenarios and work on their adoption by industry so that they can implement circular business models, reduce the environmental footprint of their products or operations, or more resilient and flexible supply chains.

More concretely, you will:

• Help translating the needs of manufacturing organizations to a suitable reference architecture;
• Design and implement software frameworks (based on International Data Spaces, FIWARE components, Blockchain/Distributed Ledger Technology, Asset Administration Shell, Semantic Web/W3C standards) that combine the necessary;
• Tool stacks to support data exchange between multiple companies in a manufacturing value chain;
• Develop knowledge graph-based decision making tools that help improving sustainability in the manufacturing industry;
• Keep abreast and utilize the fast moving area of data ecosystem technologies (Eclipse Dataspace connector, FIWARE, Solid, etc.), and sustainability trends and regulations (ESPR, data act, AI act);
• Take ownership and autonomy of work in a broad collaboration network that involves people across Europe;
• Communicate in different ways (written, presentation, demonstration) the results of your research;
• Actively expand your expertise in your domain and related topics.

PROFILE

Software researcher with a passion for sustainable manufacturing

As a researcher, you are:

• Interested in applied research that bridges the gap between academia and manufacturing industry;
• Passionate about improving sustainability in manufacturing;
• Excited to collaborate with an interdisciplinary research team in a project-oriented environment;
• Eager to continually learn new techniques, technologies, and skills while staying informed about the latest academic and industrial research trends;
• Able to communicate your innovative algorithms to both industrial and academic stakeholders.

What you bring:

• Knowledge and background in computer science (PhD or similar through experience);
• Conceptual thinking and systems engineering mindset with an ability to formalize ideas;
• Experience with data spaces, semantic web technologies, and asset administration shell;
• A profound understanding of programming and modelling languages and software architectures, allowing you to quickly switch to new languages and tool stacks;
• Knowledge of software development for the manufacturing sector or circular economy, or an eagerness to dive deep into these areas;
• Explorative mindset in a fast changing research topic;
• Strong communication and listening skills, both with clients and within the team.

OFFER

Flanders Make offers you:

• A challenging job working with experts in various fields on real industrial problems;
• The opportunity to work with innovative companies active in Flanders and Europe;
• The opportunity to work with national and international research institutes;
• A warm, enthusiastic and international first class colleagues;
• An open-minded and flexible working environment;
• An attractive salary with fringe benefits.