Are you interested in the role of pilot and demo projects in realizing the hydrogen economy? Are you passionate about understanding strategic behavior, capabilities, and collaboration in making demo plants a success? And more specifically in the role of SMEs and manufacturing industry? We are looking for a 2 year PostDoc researcher in the SCALE project.

Job description

Currently there is a wide interest in the hydrogen economy. The Netherlands is one of the hot spots for developments in this field. In order to bring technologies from the lab (research) to the market requires demonstration, integration and validation of concepts and systems in pilot and demo plants. Current demonstration efforts in the hydrogen market are highly dynamic, with no clear innovation agenda or public validation.
SMEs and manufacturing industries play a crucial role in pilot and demo plants, as well as for later mature business ecosystems as suppliers of components (e.g. membranes, electrodes). In this research, you will focus on their role, and more specifically on strategic behavior, learning, capabilities and interorganizational collaboration, resulting in an agenda setting or evaluation tool.

You will be working in the TIS group, a large research group with a focus on transition studies, socio-technical systems, and the role of experiments in innovation. You will also be part of the SCALE consortium of researchers and industrial partners, with a focus on new electrolyzers, funded by the NOW call 'Storage and conversion'. A modest teaching load will be part of the job.

• You hold a PhD in Transition Studies, Innovation Management, Industrial Engineering or related fields.
• You have a proven interest in pilot and demo projects or experimentation/niches/living labs, preferably in process industry.
• You are familiar with design science, e.g. for tool, roadmap, or innovation agenda development.
• You are able to work in a multidisciplinary academic environment and with industrial partners.
• You have good organizational skills and are an independent worker.
• Experience with or interest in education is an advantage.

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.
• Salary in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, scale 10 (min. €3,557 max. €4,670).
• 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.