Postdoc for IDEE project: Transition from Secondary Education to Higher Education

Come and innovate TU Delft education with your postdoctoral research.

Job description
At TU Delft, the next generation of engineers experiences a significant transition as they move from secondary to higher education. In addition to obtaining technical knowledge, a seamless transition is crucial for student success. But how do we define student success? We believe key factors include study progress, well-being, and competency development; yet, these factors are often tackled separately.

The TU Delft Teaching Academy has recognized student transition as a key theme within the Initiative on Innovation in Delft Engineering Education (IDEE). IDEE is a cross-faculty program for innovations and research in engineering education at TU Delft. This project seeks to identify factors that contribute to a successful transition and explore evidence-based practices that support it.

As a postdoctoral researcher, you will focus on one or more of the following:

• Conceptualize what a ‘successful transition’ to higher education entails.
• Identify key factors influencing student success.
• Analyze and evaluate evidence-based practices that support student transition.

You will work as part of the IDEE team on transition, which consists of 20 members from all faculties, as well as educational services at the TU Delft. You will be working in a dynamic team with scientific and educational staff, and a PhD candidate for this project.

Job requirements
We are looking for an organized and motivated candidate with the following.

• A PhD degree, in one of the social sciences such as Educational Studies or Cognitive Psychology, with a strong interest in engineering and engineering education.
• Skills to organize the research work in consultation with a multidisciplinary team; ability to work through ambiguities, inconsistencies, and uncertainties that come when interacting with multiple stakeholders with different interests and values.
• Acquaintance with the secondary and higher educational system, with interest in the Dutch system, is a plus.

While the chosen candidate will work in the IDEE team on transition, they will be appointed to the Delft Institute of Applied Mathematics (Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science), in the same department as one of the supervisors Dr. Yukihiro Murakami.

The chosen candidate will also work in close vicinity of the other IDEE PhD and postdoc candidates, supported by the TU Delft Teaching Academy. The Teaching Academy is the network for and by lecturers of TU Delft with the mission to collaboratively enhance engineering education and drive education innovations across faculty boundaries.

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 of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science
The Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EEMCS) brings together three scientific disciplines. Combined, they reinforce each other and are the driving force behind the technology we all use in our daily lives. Technology such as the electricity grid, which our faculty is helping to make completely sustainable and future-proof. At the same time, we are developing the chips and sensors of the future, whilst also setting the foundations for the software technologies to run on this new generation of equipment – which of course includes AI. Meanwhile we are pushing the limits of applied mathematics, for example mapping out disease processes using single cell data, and using mathematics to simulate gigantic ash plumes after a volcanic eruption. In other words: there is plenty of room at the faculty for ground-breaking research. We educate innovative engineers and have excellent labs and facilities that underline our strong international position. In total, more than 1000 employees and 4,000 students work and study in this innovative environment.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science.

Conditions of employment

• Duration of contract is 2 years.
• A job of 36-40 hours per week.

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.

Will you need to relocate to the Netherlands for this job? TU Delft is committed to make your move as smooth as possible! The HR unit, Coming to Delft Service, offers information on their website to help you prepare your relocation. In addition, Coming to Delft Service organises events to help you settle in the Netherlands, and expand your (social) network in Delft. A Dual Career Programme is available, to support your accompanying partner with their job search in the Netherlands. .

Additional information
If you would like more information about this vacancy or the selection procedure, please contact Dr. Yukihiro Murakami and Dr. Hylkje Geertsema, via y.murakami@tudelft.nl and h.j.geertsema@tudelft.nl.

Application procedure
Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than March 30, 2025 via the application button and upload the following documents:

• CV with 3 references.
• Motivational letter of at most 600 words.

You can address your application to Dr. Yukihiro Murakami and Dr. Hylkje Geertsema.

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.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.

36 - 40 hours per week

Mekelweg 5