The Smart Architectural Technologies chair at TU/e Built Environment is seeking a postdoctoral researcher to engage in critical research within the VENTI project, focusing on daily healthcare and building management decision-making in long-term care facilities. This role is at the heart of our efforts to enhance pandemic preparedness through the development of a theoretical framework and value-interaction-risk (WIR) decision-making model, based on quantitative data previously collected and new qualitative data to be collected throughout the project's duration.

The project focuses on providing insight into interaction among individuals in long-term care facilities, particularly in areas with high levels of activity and interaction. This includes providing care, receiving care, day care, activities of daily living (ADL), and other interactions. Factors such as the influence of different contextual parameters (building, organization, and care characteristics) on care provision and (social) contact in long-term care facilities, as well as the results from other program lines in relation to exposure to viral hazards, technical building data, current typologies of long-term care facilities, and factors influencing primary process and facility management decision-making at the institutional level are also considered in the development of the decision-making model.

The successful applicant will work as part of the project consortium. Given this collaborative role, the post-doc will organize and lead internal meetings to discuss empirical findings and their conceptual consequences, as well as present project-related insights at conferences and other public events attended by academics, policymakers, and the general public. The post-doc will be responsible for collecting and analyzing primary data, as well as analyzing and integrating previously collected data. They will contribute to the analysis of data collected in other work packages and coordinate with other project partners to access their data. For primary data collection, the post-doc will collect data through interviews with stakeholders, questionnaires, and surveys. For data analysis, they will have experience with qualitative data analysis of interviews and strong statistical skills to analyze survey data and other quantitative and measured data. Mixed methods analysis and data collection approaches are employed in the project, requiring a general understanding of these methodologies and analytical tools for effective collaboration with project partners.

• Educational Background: Completed PhD or MSc degree in a field relevant to the project's focus, such as social sciences, architecture, healthcare management, or a related discipline.
• Research Skills: Demonstrated expertise in conducting both qualitative and quantitative research including proficiency in conducting interviews, surveys, and statistical analysis, with a strong foundation in decision-making theories and methodologies.
• Publication skills: Experience in publications in relevant fields (for PhD holders) or demonstrable research experience (for MSc holders).
• Communication and Collaboration: Exceptional communication skills and a track record of effective collaboration within interdisciplinary teams and with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Language: Proficiency in Dutch and English, essential for conducting local fieldwork and engaging with international research communities.

Desirable skills:

• Experience with fieldwork in long-term care settings and an empathetic approach to engaging with older individuals and caregivers.
• Knowledge of smart architectural technologies and their application in improving care and living conditions for long-term care populations.
• Ability to critically analyze and evaluate building functionality and usability, with a focus on healthcare delivery and resident interactions.

A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university, in an interdisciplinary setting and within an international network. You will work on a beautiful, green campus within walking distance of the central train station. In addition, we offer you:

• Full-time employment for 2 years. (1 fte)
• Salary in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, scale 10 (min. € 3.226,- max. € 5.090,-).
• A year-end bonus of 8.3% and annual vacation pay of 8%.
• High-quality training programs on general skills, didactics and topics related to research and valorization.
• An excellent technical infrastructure, on-campus children's day care and sports facilities.
• Partially paid parental leave and an allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs.
• A TU/e Postdoc Association that helps you to build a stronger and broader academic and personal network, and offers tailored support, training and workshops.
• A Staff Immigration Team is available for international candidates, as are a tax compensation scheme (the 30% facility) and a compensation for moving expenses.