The section of Materializing Futures within the department of Sustainable Design Engineering (SDE) in the faculty of Industrial Design Engineering aims at developing theories, tools, and methods to support the design process in understanding and designing with emerging material and fabrication technologies in the interest of the planet and society. Our research activities are organized under three related knowledge domains: Materials, Fabrication, and Computational Design.

Over the last years, our section has turned its attention to alive, responsive, and adaptive materials. From shape-changing magnetic materials to 3d printed metamaterials, from living photosynthetic materials to stretchable textile sensors, we explore the potentials of novel and emerging materials for design and society.

To facilitate their seamless integration in our everyday life, we need to re-evaluate how we understand the reaction times and manners in such materials and the modes of interaction. Thus, as materials we deal with become active, adaptive, autonomous, it is our ambition to develop an understanding of human-material interaction and have a stronger position within Human Computer Interaction communities.

How should HCI and design researchers work with such materials? What new skills and competencies do they need? What type of novel tools and techniques do we need to develop to better understand and convey such materials to future designers and the public?

Within our section we advocate a unique research approach, which suggests a back and forth thinking between details, i.e., material studies focusing on biological, technical, computational understanding of materials, and wholeness, i.e., the way in which the material is approached from the perspective of end-users, appraised within a product, and embedded in a context of use.

We are currently inviting applications for an associate professor Tenure Track position for a candidate who can bridge the gap between Materials, Fabrication and Human Computer Interaction and will work on the following topics:

- Research into data-driven approaches for seamless integration of hybrid material systems (physical, digital, biological) into user interfaces;

- Research into the development of digital tools for novice designers to foster the advancement of hybrid material systems through the different stages of a design process, including conceptualization, embodiment, and fabrication.

You will actively participate in multidisciplinary collaboration with Industrial Design and Engineering colleagues and our research partners. You will also contribute to the development and teaching of courses and educational programs at BSc and MSc level and supervise PhD and MSc students, write project proposals, and participate in faculty committees.     

You bring a designerly approach to problem solving, have a holistic approach and a clear vision in your field and advocacy for design; You enjoy the scientific challenges of doing design research. You excel in an interdisciplinary environment where designers and researchers work across research groups, and together contribute to the larger research agenda of the department, faculty and university. Through research and teaching you will inspire your colleagues and our students.

You are expected to have a PhD. At least 5 years independent research experience after your PhD in one or more of the mentioned topics below is required

• Human Computer Interaction (HCI)
• Active, adaptive, living materials
• Soft or biosensors
• Digital fabrication
• User interfaces
• Computational design

Furthermore, you are expected to have:

• At least 5 years of experience in an Assistant- or Associate Professor role;
• The ambition to be a future scientific leader in the area of Sustainable Design Engineering;
• Experience in leading and managing research programs, including the acquisition of funding;
• An affinity with teaching, preferably with teaching experience at bachelor and/or master level and experience in supervising MSc and/or PhD students;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English;
• An appreciation for a culturally diverse environment and the ability to work in a team.     

The position is offered for 6 years. After a maximum of 5 years, it will be determined whether you meet the criteria to get a permanent appointment. We expect that you have the potential to grow towards a Full Professor role in the future.

Inspiring, excellent education is our central aim. We expect you to obtain a University Teaching Qualification (UTQ) within three years if you have less than five years of teaching experience. This is provided by the TU Delft UTQ programme.

TU Delft sets high standards for the English competency of the teaching staff. The TU Delft offers training to improve English competency. If you do not speak Dutch, we offer courses to learn the Dutch language within three years.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. Salary indication for Associate Professors: €5.294 - €6.444, per month gross, based on a 38 hour contract. Salary depends on the number of years of relevant work experience. International candidates may qualify for a partial tax emption.

The TU Delft offers a customizable compensation package, a discount on health insurance and sport memberships, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arrange.

For international applicants we offer the Coming to Delft Service and Partner Career Advice to assist you with your relocation. An International Children's Centre offers childcare and there is an international primary school.

Delft University of Technology

Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context. At TU Delft we embrace diversity and aim to be as inclusive as possible (see our Code of Conduct). Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale.

Challenge. Change. Impact! 

Faculty Industrial Design Engineering

Matching the evolution of people with the speed of the revolution of technology. This is the focus of the Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering (IDE). Delft designers act as a bridge between advances in technology and the needs of people, organisations and society to create products, services and systems with purpose.

IDE is a leader in design research across the application areas of mobility, sustainability and health, as well as its development of design tools and methods. A 350-strong research team and over 2,000 students work together in our inspiring hall, labs and studios.

In close cooperation with industry, the public sector and NGOs we rehearse possible futures in research and education to design for a complex future.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering.