Rob Basten

Rob Basten is an Associate Professor in the Department of Industrial Engineering and Innovation Sciences at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e). He has been with TU/e since October 2014, initially as an Assistant Professor before being promoted. His work focuses on operations management and behavioral operations management, with particular expertise in maintenance, spare parts supply, and after-sales services for high-tech equipment. Basten's research is highly applied, often conducted in collaboration with industry partners such as ASML, NXP, Canon Production Printing, Marel Poultry, and the Ministry of Defence.

Dr. Basten's educational background includes:

• Master's in Industrial Engineering and Management (2004) from University of Twente
• Master's in Computer Science (2005) from University of Twente
• PhD in Operations Management (2010) from University of Twente

Rob Basten's research centers on improving after-sales services for high-tech equipment, with a focus on incorporating new technologies such as 3D printing and IoT. His work spans both analytical and empirical approaches, with increasing emphasis on behavioral operations management as human decision-makers interact with AI-based decision support systems. Basten investigates how to design and control after-sales service supply chains when spare parts can be 3D printed, and how to optimize maintenance policies for complex systems. His interdisciplinary research bridges operations management, maintenance engineering, and human behavior.

Analysis of Basten's recent publications reveals a strong focus on the application of new technologies in after-sales services. Key trends include the integration of additive manufacturing in spare parts supply chains, condition-based and predictive maintenance driven by Industry 4.0 technologies, and the behavioral aspects of human-AI collaboration in maintenance decision-making. His work frequently addresses challenges in high-tech manufacturing contexts, particularly semiconductor equipment, with a growing emphasis on Industry 5.0 concepts that integrate human-centered approaches with advanced technologies.

Dr. Basten has received recognition for his work, including:

• Finalist for the 2020 Daniel H. Wagner Prize for Excellence in Operations Research Practice
• ISIR Best Student Paper Award 2018

Rob Basten actively supervises numerous PhD students and has led several major research projects. He currently supervises nine PhD students including Maryam Azani, Ragnar Eggertsson, Bibi de Jong, Zhao Kang, Niccolò Maccarini, Aran Nasiri, Bas van Oudenhoven, İpek Tanıl, and Alireza Yazdani. He has successfully guided six PhD students to completion. Basten has been project leader and work package leader in significant research initiatives including ProSeLoNext (funded by NWO with industry co-funding), PrimaVera, SINTAS, and OCPROM projects. His research is consistently supported by both public funding agencies and industry partnerships, reflecting the practical relevance of his work.

Basten is an active member of the Operations, Planning, Accounting & Control group at TU/e and contributes to the EAISI High Tech Systems initiative. He has organized key academic events including the first two editions of the Maintenance Research Day and the Behavioral Operations Conference 2019. His work connects academic research with industry practice through ongoing collaborations with leading high-tech companies, creating a dynamic research environment focused on solving real-world challenges in maintenance and service logistics.