The postdoc will do research, particularly in investigating organizations’ (individuals, small/medium size business owners, and governmental organizations vulnerable to unprecedented external disturbances) engagement with VUCA events in Europe to advance the management strategy agenda through the lens of human-centric design by addressing research questions such as:

• How do organizations respond to and survive in the face of unprecedented VUCA conditions such as the COVID-19 pandemic, energy crisis, and climate change?
• What conceptual design/innovation approach might be developed by scientific researchers in such ways sustaining dynamic stability in the face of recurring VUCA events (e.g., future pandemics, climate change, or complex social problems)?

The successful candidate will be expected to collaborate with a group of researchers housed in the Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering on adjacent research topics such as innovation capabilities, design thinking, resilience, and anti-fragilities to advance cross-scientific literature in strategy and management, human-centric research, and engineering design.     

The candidate should have a strong understanding of design management, strategy, and human-centric design with qualitative design research skillsets (in-depth interviews, case studies, and action research), preferably with a strong background in innovation framework building and human-centric design tools and methods developments. The candidate will be expected to have strong scientific writing skills, good communication skills, and contribute to the scientific output of the department by publishing their work in academic journals and presenting at international conferences. a minimum anticipated research outcomes is (1) one paper on a comprehensive understanding of the dynamic stability cases of organizations, definitions, and characteristics and (2) the second paper on theorization and conceptualization of the dynamic stability framework with a comprehensive literature review on the adjacent research topics. Further papers to be decided on during the project, e.g., on comparison study between countries.

Fixed-term contract: 2 jaar.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, a discount on health insurance and sport memberships, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.

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 as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.

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.