The Department of Industrial Design (ID) is one of the nine departments of TU/e and has an internationally leading position because of its core commitment to research through design (RtD) and its strikingly original conceptual work. ID's ambition is to be recognized as one of the top departments in the world that conduct exciting research in the intersection of Design, Technology, Human-Computer Interaction, and Social Sciences and Humanities. In particular, the department aims to inspire and educate a new generation of design engineers who can contribute with their novel designs, their fluency in AI/ML algorithms and data, and their academic critical questioning, to the imminent and complex societal challenges our world is facing nowadays.

The ID education program is competence-centered, self-directed and challenged-based. ID focuses on educating students to design through five different perspectives (called Expertise Areas), through core courses and electives:

• Math, data and computing.
• User and society.
• Technology and realization.
• Business and entrepreneurship.
• Creativity and aesthetics.

Students also learn to make connections between the different perspectives within project groups called squads. In addition, the ID education curriculum encourages and empowers students to take the ownership of their personal and professional development. Supported by their academic coaches, through ID curriculum and their personal, industrial and research projects, students develop a unique competence of designing and related design approaches individually. Next to self-directed learning and competence development, the educational model of ID is challenge-based. ID students work together on challenging and authentic projects in which multiple perspectives or disciplines are incorporated to solve the challenge (for example by working within interdisciplinary groups) using an entrepreneurial mindset.

At the Industrial Design department we have two research groups: Systemic Change and Future Everyday.

Job description

We are looking for an assistant professor who will be working on the boundaries of Sociology, Social Psychology, Design Research and Human-Computer Interaction (HCI). In particular, this position aims to research and design novel approaches to achieve societal change through building communities and supporting grassroots initiatives and citizen science. The research programme should contribute to our understanding of how to create viable communities, how to sustain them, and how to design for engaging groups and communities in collective action.

The candidate is expected to conduct their research across different large societal challenges, such as climate change, healthcare, and inclusive societies. 

The candidate ideally has a background in social science, HCI, Computer-supported Collaborative Work (CSCW) and/or design, should be comfortable with quantitative research methods and is with designing, deploying, and evaluating design interventions in their research. Affinity with interdisciplinary or transdisciplinary work is evaluated positively, as the aim of this position is to bridge between different fields of research. 

Education: The candidate shall contribute to courses at bachelor's and master's level in topics such as human-computer interaction, human-centred design, participatory design and quantitative research and evaluation methods. Educational activities involve defining and supervising student design projects in areas related to the above topics, and addressing some of the application domains most relevant to the department, e.g., healthcare, sustainability, smart mobility, inclusive design, etc.

• Motivated researcher, with a PhD in Design, Psychology, sociology or other related disciplines.
• Ability to conduct high quality academic research, reflected in demonstratable outputs.
• Motivated to teach, contribute to teaching processes, and to develop excellent teaching skills.
• Strong cooperation skills and ability to work in an interdisciplinary team.
• Effective communication and leadership skills, including coaching and mentoring of students and staff, leading a project or chairing a group.
• Excellent (written and verbal) proficiency in English. 

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:

• A Tenure Track of five years with the prospect of becoming an Associate Professor. If you have a more senior profile, a tailor-made career proposal will be considered.
• The opportunity to focus your career on education, research or impact. You can develop your personal ambitions and objections within the strategic objectives of the university.
• Salary in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, scale 11/12 (min. €3974 -  max. €6181).
• A year-end bonus of 8.3% and annual vacation pay of 8%.
• A dedicated mentoring program to help you get to know the university and the Dutch (research) environment.
• High-quality training programs for academic leadership and teaching.
• 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 Staff Immigration Team is available for international candidates, as are a tax compensation scheme (the 30% facility) and partner career support.