Within the department ID, multiple design approaches have been developed that can be instrumental in changing specific types of behaviors of individuals or groups, including methods to design with emotional dilemmas, design for subjective wellbeing, and social design. We evaluate the usefulness of these design approaches, by designing and testing interventions for behavior change in a context related to food consumption. These interventions will specifically target groups that are difficult to reach with standard health interventions, such as lower educated and vulnerable groups. In order to understand the experience of behavior change, we will not only monitor changes in behavior, but also assess the cognitive and affective underpinnings of that behavior. We strive to develop interventions that not only lead to momentary changes in specific target behavior, but contribute to an increase in long-term resilience, considering the individual person and the physical and social context in which he or she operates. In this project, the application of psychological theories, performing empirical research (observations, interviews, questionnaires, sensor data, experience-sampling), the development of design strategies, the monitoring of nutrition and health interventions, and the assessment of the impact of such interventions will go hand in hand.

The applicant is invited to develop her/his research lines in order to develop new scientific knowledge and innovative technology, including new frameworks for behavior change, systems to remotely monitor health parameters and behavior, and design approaches to develop interventions that persuade people to make healthy choices about what they eat in order to adopt a healthier lifestyle.

Besides performing the research and developing the design interventions described above, the candidate is expected to actively participate in teaching courses that address human behavior change and food & eating design. In addition, he or she will play a supportive role in managing the Delft Food & Eating Design Lab.       

Candidates should have a PhD-degree in design, human nutrition, the social sciences or other related fields. They should have demonstrated interest in the food domain and experience with quantitative and qualitative evaluation research. Candidates should be at ease in conducting interdisciplinary work at the intersection between practice, research, and education.

Fixed-term contract: Temporary, four years.

You will be appointed as post doc for the duration of four years. You will receive formal feedback on performance and skills during annual assessment meetings. 

TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, a discount for health insurance and sport memberships, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged. An International Children’s Centre offers childcare and an international primary school. Dual Career Services offers support to accompanying partners. Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities.  

Delft University of Technology

Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) is a multifaceted institution offering education and carrying out research in the technical sciences at an internationally recognised level. Education, research and design are strongly oriented towards applicability. TU Delft develops technologies for future generations, focusing on sustainability, safety and economic vitality. At TU Delft you will work in an environment where technical sciences and society converge. TU Delft comprises eight faculties, unique laboratories, research institutes and schools.

https://www.tudelft.nl

Faculty Industrial Design Engineering

The faculty of Industrial Design Engineering is the largest and broadest scientific design institute in the world, with over 2,000 students, more than 6,000 alumni and 300 staff (researchers and lecturers, including designers from industrial practice). The faculty aims to contribute to a better living environment and respond to social challenges by combining human values and desires with technological feasibility and economic viability. We are excellently placed to do so, as we ground design methods and skills in scientific knowledge from a wide range of disciplines, leading to concrete solutions.

 A 4-year post doc position is offered within the department of Industrial Design (ID). The department ID is recognized as an international leader in design research and was ranked excellent by an international review panel in 2015. Our research and education focusing on topics like design for happiness, prototyping in design thinking, design aesthetics, future interactions, ergonomics and social design. The department also houses the ID-StudioLab, a unique interdisciplinary design research community that facilitates design-driven research and education. We believe that a professional designer needs scientific knowledge and the skills to use systematic methods, techniques and tools. We teach future designers to conceptualize products and services that are understandable and stimulate meaningful experiences. We develop and improve the knowledge and skills that help designers and researchers contribute to relevant societal challenges and to have an impact. The current position is affiliated with the Delft Food & Eating Design Lab that brings together designers and researchers with stakeholders in agriculture, the food industry, the hospitality sector, health professionals and any others who try to improve people’s interactions with their daily foods (link: https://delftdesignlabs.org/food-design/)

 The position is part of the program “Pride & Prejudice ‐ Tackling chronic disease prevention through real‐life monitoring and context‐aware intervention design”, which is financially supported by the 4TU federation (https://www.4tu.nl/en/news/!/84378/awarding_hightech/). Central to the Pride & Prejudice program is the combination of monitoring in real‐life through sensors (food intake, physical activity and health parameters) with development of design interventions at different levels of the system (person, group, society), and evaluation of the (long‐term) effectiveness of these combined interventions. A summary of the content of the full program can be obtained by sending an email to h.n.j.schifferstein@tudelft.nl 

https://www.tudelft.nl/en/ide/