Assistant Professor in Computational Modeling for Health
Updated: 18 Dec 2024
Job Description
The Faculty of Technology, Policy and Management (TPM) at Delft University of Technology invites applications for an assistant professor position in Computational Modeling for Health. This position is housed within the TPM department of Engineering Systems and Services (ESS), particularly in its Systems Decision Methods Programme—a unit dedicated to advancing methodologies and applying systems science across domains. By blending computational modeling and systems thinking, we address complex socio-technical challenges across sectors like healthcare, energy, and logistics.
In this position, you will have the opportunity to:
- Contribute to the development of educational programs of the department
- Conduct pioneering research in computational modeling for health & care, especially with focus on designing and implementing interventions to address complex challenges in this domain
- Build a research vision and position yourself as a thought leader in computational modeling for health & care
- Develop interdisciplinary partnerships within the university and with external stakeholders to drive research that balances technical, organizational, and societal needs in health & care
The Systems Decision Methods Programme offers this assistant professor position with responsibilities split across teaching (40%), research (40%), and organization/management (20%).
Advances in computational modeling and data-driven approaches are transforming healthcare, from optimizing personalized treatments to improving logistical functions and enhancing the resilience of critical supply chains. Computational modeling can also support the planning, organization, and management of care services. Furthermore, data-driven health systems modeling can improve how healthcare is structured, influencing business models, stakeholder relationships, and patient-provider dynamics. This field addresses pressing challenges, such as data quality, privacy, transparency, and security.
This position focuses on computational modeling to re-design and improve health systems, addressing both technical and organizational dimensions. Candidates will engage in developing new methods or architectures to apply computational approaches in health services, logistics, public health, or related areas. Examples of computational modeling techniques include AI, system dynamics, agent-based modeling, and game theory. Applicants should be interested in conducting socio-technical research that is engineering- and design-oriented, with a focus on evaluating solutions against societal values like efficiency, quality of care, and resilience.
The Systems Decision Methods Programme, launched in January 2024, is designed to strengthen ESS’s foundational methods and promote fundamental research in systems science for healthcare and other domains. Our faculty emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration, blending data science, computational modeling, and systems thinking to address challenges in fields like health & care , transport and logistics, energy, and digital public services. You will engage with topics such as data infrastructure, responsible analytics, and health system design, embedded within an interdisciplinary department that has collaborative culture and where you can advance your teaching, research, management, and leadership skills.
In this role, you will teach Bachelor’s and Master’s courses on computational modeling and healthcare systems, and help to develop educational programs in systems science for Health & Care. You will also supervise BSc and MSc graduation projects related to your expertise.
Job Requirements
The ideal candidate should have:
- A PhD in computational modeling, data science, computer science, applied mathematics, systems engineering, medical informatics, or a related discipline.
- A strong willingness to work across disciplines.
- A strong research background in a computational modeling technique (e.g. AI., system dynamics, agent-based modeling, or game theory) for Health & Care, evidenced by a relevant publication record.
- Interest in developing new methodologies for designing and implementing interventions, particularly those relevant to Health & Care.
- Academic teaching experience and, ideally, a university teaching qualification.
- Proficiency in programming and computational tools commonly used in health modeling.
- Excellent command of English.
Additional experience in project acquisition is beneficial.
TU Delft (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 Technology, Policy & Management
The Faculty of TPM provides an important contribution to solving complex technical-social issues, such as energy transition, mobility, digitalisation, water management and (cyber) security. TPM does this with its excellent education and research at the intersection of technology, society and policy. We combine insights from both engineering and social sciences as well as the humanities. TPM develops robust models and designs, is internationally oriented and has an extensive network of knowledge institutions, companies, social organisations and governments.
Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Technology, Policy and Management.
Conditions of employment
This position is offered as an Academic Career Track position (0.9 – 1.0 FTE). During the Academic Career Track, we expect you to grow towards an Associate Professor position within a maximum of eight years, for which a position will be available. With other Academic Career Track colleagues, you will participate in the Academic Career Track Development programme, where you are offered ample opportunities to develop yourself in the areas of Education, Research, Societal Impact & Innovation, and Leadership & Organisation. You will regularly discuss your development and results with senior staff based on a personalized development plan and performance criteria agreed upon at the start of your Academic Career Track. You will start with a temporary contract that will be converted to a permanent contract no later than 12 -18 months after a positive evaluation, based on continuous confidence in your development potential and fit in the organisation.
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 as part of the Academic Career Track Development 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. The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged and you can work partly from home.
For international applicants, TU Delft has the Coming to Delft Service. This service addresses the needs of new international employees and those of their partners and families. The Coming to Delft Service offers personalised assistance during the preparation of the relocation, finding housing and schools for children (if applicable). In addition, a Dual Career Programme for partners is offered. The Coming to Delft Service will do their best to help you settle in the Netherlands.
Additional information
If you would like more information about this vacancy or the selection procedure, please contact For more information about this vacancy, please contact Dr. Kateřina Staňková via K.Stankova@tudelft.nl.
Application procedure
Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 10 Jan 2025 via the application button and upload the following documents:
- CV
- Motivational letter
You can address your application to Dr. Kateřina Staňková.
Please note:
- You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
- A pre-employment screening can be part of the selection procedure.
- For the final candidates, a knowledge security check will be part of the application procedure. For more information on this check, please consult Chapter 8 of the National Knowledge Security Guidelines. We carry out this check on the basis of legitimate interest.
- Applying for an exemption for specific research and educational areas is an obligatory part of the selection procedure for this vacancy. This exemption must be obtained from the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science (OCW) before an employment contract is agreed upon. Click here for more information.
- Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.
36 - 40 hours per week
Mekelweg 5