Join the enthusiastic Sustainable Improvement Research Group of TECNUN.

About the position:

We are seeking a highly motivated PhD student to conduct research in Sustainable Production at the Department of Industrial Management, School of Engineering.

The Sustainable Improvement Group focuses on promoting, developing, and disseminating research that helps companies transition toward more circular and sustainable practices. This PhD research will serve a dual purpose:

1. Equipping manufacturing companies with tools to assess the sustainability impacts of their operations.


2. Developing a roadmap to analyze, propose, and justify improvement actions that simultaneously enhance operational efficiency and sustainability.

The project will integrate Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) with environmental, social, and economic sustainability indicators. The research will be supported by real case studies conducted in manufacturing companies.

Main responsibilities

We offer a fully funded PhD position for a duration of three to four years. The selected candidate will:

1. Conduct research leading to a doctoral thesis, supported by publications in highly ranked indexed journals.


2. Participate in meetings and collaborations with key stakeholders, providing an excellent opportunity for professional development.


3. Work on-site in San Sebastián throughout the PhD period.


4. Engage in departmental activities and fulfill any mandatory duties outlined in the PhD student agreements.


5. Attend international conferences relevant to the research and may also undertake a short research stay at an international university to obtain the International PhD distinction.

Qualification requirements

• A strong academic background, preferably with a master’s degree in Engineering (students in the final stages of their master’s degree may also apply).


• Candidates with a foreign degree equivalent to 300 ECTS are eligible if they can demonstrate PhD eligibility in their home country.


• Excellent English communication skills (both written and spoken).


• Basic knowledge of Lean Manufacturing is desirable.

Further details about the position can be found on the Applied Engineering program web page.

Personal Characteristics

The ideal candidate should demonstrate:

• A goal-oriented and independent research mindset, with a critical and analytical approach.


• Strong communication skills, enabling effective collaboration with research teams, industrial partners, and fellow PhD students.


• Teamwork and adaptability, with the ability to engage in a multidisciplinary environment.


• Relevant practical experience will be considered a plus.


• Strong English writing and oral skills are required.


• Desirable basic knowledge in Lean Manufacturing technology is recommended.

Application Process

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Candidates should submit the following documents:

• A motivation letter explaining why they wish to pursue this PhD.


• A complete Curriculum Vitae (CV).


• Certified transcripts and degree certificates (for bachelor’s and master’s degrees). Applicants with foreign degrees must provide an official description of their grading system.


• Two references (names and contact details of two people who can provide recommendations).

The position is expected to start in September 2025, and early availability will be considered an advantage.

For further information, please contact jsantos@unav.es. Preliminary interviews will be conducted remotely via Google Meet.

More about TECNUN, University of Navarra

The University of Navarra is an international University committed to quality teaching and excellence in research. It occupies the 3rd position in the Europe Teaching Ranking 2019 by Times Higher Education and Elsevier. The University was founded based on Catholic principles by St. Josemaría Escrivá and is a corporate work of Opus Dei. It provides suitable opportunities for developing its professors and employees, carries out broad cultural outreach and social promotion through NGOs and charities, and encourages service-learning programs. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment.

The School of Engineering (Tecnun) has 1,200 students and it is located in Donostia-San Sebastián, a beautiful city in the north of Spain, on the Basque coast. As an academic institution, we develop basic research in several fields of engineering, but we also carry out applied research in collaboration with Ceit, a non-profit research center that was created by the University of Navarra in 1982.

Learn more:

To learn more about the University of Navarra click here

To learn more about Tecnun, The Engineering School of the University of Navarra click here

To learn more about the city San Sebastian click here

To learn more about the City Science Lab, MIT, click here