Assistant Professor of Evolving Design Practices

At TU Delft, this Assistant Professor role focuses on design processes, methods, and practices in relation to emerging technologies such as AI.

Job description

In this role, the candidate will contribute to research and education on design processes, methods, and practices and how they evolve in relation to emerging technologies such as AI. Their work would investigate how designers generate, develop, and evaluate ideas and how these processes are reshaped in relation to the uncertainty and complexity resulting from emerging technologies. This position offers space for the candidate to articulate and advance their research along these lines.

The role is embedded in an interdisciplinary environment within the Industrial Design Engineering (IDE) faculty and across TU Delft. The candidate will collaborate with designers, engineers, economists, and social scientists, as well as external partners in industry, government, and civil society, to develop perspectives on design processes, methods, and practices. In doing so, the candidate’s research may engage with broader themes such as design cognition, creativity, design strategy, service design, and other related domains. IDE and the Design, Organization and Strategy (DOS) department value research that connects theoretical understanding with empirical and design-led inquiry, and that contributes both to academic debate, societal relevance and to the future of design practices.

In education, the candidate will contribute to Bachelor and Master programmes at IDE, particularly in courses related to design processes and practices, design methodologies, creativity, strategic design and service design. The candidate will supervise BSc and MSc projects and actively contribute to the development of designers as strategic, reflective, and creative actors, capable of engaging with socio-technical challenges.

Job requirements

The ideal candidate should have:

• A PhD in a design-related field. Candidates with backgrounds in engineering, psychology, human-computer interaction, or social sciences could also be considered as long as their work demonstrates engagement with design research, design practice, and design education.
• A strong research profile in design processes, design methods and methodology, and AI in design. Expertise in one or more of the following areas would be an asset: creativity, design cognition, strategic design, or service design. The research profile should be evidenced by publications in relevant peer-reviewed journals and conferences in design research.
• Ability to work across disciplinary boundaries and academic communities.
• Ability and willingness to engage with a variety of stakeholders, experts and non-experts, by translating research insights into actionable frameworks, strategies, or interventions to industry and societal partners.
• Ability to contribute to international design research communities and related scholarly networks.
• Teaching experience in higher education, particularly in project-based courses (e.g., design studios), and in areas such as design processes, design methods, design strategy, and/or service design. A university teaching qualification is considered an asset.
• Excellent command of English, both written and spoken. Proficiency in Dutch language is considered an asset. If you don’t speak Dutch, you should be willing to learn the language, as your home base at TU Delft is bilingual.
• Interests in contributing to program development and academic service within the department. Experience in grant writing is highly valued.

TU Delft

At TU Delft, our people make the difference. With their knowledge and curiosity, our staff provide high-quality education and conduct pioneering research that extends beyond the campus. You will have the opportunity to take the initiative, work with others, and grow as a professional. Working at TU Delft means joining an international community of professionals and students.

Faculty Industrial Design Engineering

The Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering (IDE) focuses on the relationship between technological change and the needs of people, organisations and society. IDE is a leader in design research across mobility, sustainability and health, as well as in the development of design tools and methods. A 350-strong research team and over 2,000 students work together in halls, labs and studios, in close cooperation with industry, the public sector and NGOs.

Conditions of employment

This position is offered as an Academic Career Track position (0.8 – 1.0 FTE). During the Academic Career Track, you are expected to grow towards an Associate Professor position within a maximum of eight years, for which a position will be available. You will participate in the Academic Career Track Development programme, with opportunities to develop in 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. You are expected 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. TU Delft offers training to improve English competency. If you do not speak Dutch, courses are offered to learn the Dutch language within three years.

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.

If you need to relocate to the Netherlands for this job, TU Delft provides information and personal guidance to help you prepare your relocation and find housing and schools for children, if applicable. Events are also organised 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.