Educational researcher position on educational innovation communities

We investigate the composition and behaviour of complex (higher) educational systems. By explaining and modelling such systems, we strive to promote a balanced improvement between the systems’ education and research outputs.

We are seeking an Educational Advisor to lead an innovative research initiative on knowledge management in education, with a focus on adapting the TRIZ (Theory of Inventive Problem Solving) framework to the educational design context. The advisor will play a central role in defining, capturing, retrieving, and reusing evidence from educational interventions, while fostering collaboration across faculties and partner universities. This position combines conceptual research, evidence collection, academic collaboration, and mentorship of master’s students.

This 1-year temporary educational advisor position is part of the NPULS-CTL project Teacher professionalisation and “educational innovation communities” at the University of Twente, which has the objective of sustainably improving CELT support on teacher professionalisation and educational innovation. The project involves academic and support staff from several departments at the UT.

Key Responsibilities

Framework Development

• Adapt TRIZ methodologies to the educational design context.
• Define a structured scheme for knowledge capture, retrieval, and reuse in education.

Evidence Capture

• Conduct interviews with faculty members across diverse disciplines.
• Document and categorize evidence from educational interventions.
• Establish and maintain an initial evidence database.

Collaboration

• Coordinate with partner universities to expand the evidence base.
• Develop shared standards for inter-university knowledge exchange.

Expected Outcomes

• A TRIZ-inspired framework for educational knowledge management.
• A multi-university evidence database of educational interventions.
• Prototype AI tools for retrieving and reusing evidence.
• Publications in knowledge management, educational technology, and innovation studies.
• Strengthened collaborative networks between universities.

We are looking for an enthusiastic, professional, and ambitious colleague, with the following profile:

• Master (PhD is preferred) or equivalent experience in Education, Knowledge Management, Innovation Studies, or related fields.
• Demonstrated expertise in educational research methodologies and evidence-based practice.
• Familiarity with TRIZ or other problem-solving frameworks.
• Experience with AI/LLM applications in education or knowledge management (preferred).
• Strong communication skills for conducting interviews and coordinating collaborations.
• Experience in higher education.
• Proven track record of publishing in peer-reviewed and reputable academic journals, presentations in international scientific conferences, and other academic activities.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
• You have English C1 or higher and Dutch B2 or higher.

CELT

The Centre of Expertise in Learning and Teaching (CELT) supports teacher professionalisation, educational advice and support and educational innovation at the University of Twente. The development of innovative didactical methods, courses, workshops and trainings for teacher professionalisation is organised at various levels from teaching assistants and PhD students to educational directors and leaders.

CELT contributes to experiments, research and projects, advises on course and curriculum design and plays an important part in the development and implementation of Challenge Based learning, Life Long Learning and Blended Learning.

CES

The Centre for Educational Support (CES) at the University of Twente supports students and staff in all educational processes. We look after students from their application until graduation and support them during theirs studies and provide career advice. Additionally, CES offers language courses, information management, scholarship information, scheduling and examination planning and educational science support. We are a proactive service department that is reliable, motivated and collegial. UT and CES offer work that matters. We are proud to contribute to the development of the next generation. As part of the High Tech Human Touch university, we place great importance on diversity, equity and inclusion, personal and talent development. You will join a leading University of Technology with a positive impact on society. If you want to learn more about working at the UT, please check our website.

Are you interested in this position? Please send your application via the 'Apply now' button below and include your CV, motivation letter, and list of publications.

Applications will be considered by the recruitment committee and preliminarily shortlisted candidates will subsequently be invited for informal conversations with the University, after which a formal shortlist of candidates will be invited for interview.

Screening is part of the application procedure.