PhD in Adaptive Labour Market Futures for the Built Environment Energy and Digital Transition

Introduction
Are you passionate about shaping the future of work in the built environment? Join us to co-create adaptive labour market futures for the digital and energy transitions. Contribute to long-term scenario development and future-making strategies that strengthen skills, jobs, and workforce resilience towards 2050. Join our team to drive innovations that support urban resilience. This is your chance to make a real impact!

Job Description
As a PhD candidate, you will conduct cutting-edge research on how digitalisation and the energy transition reshape the labour market in the built environment. You will be part of the interdisciplinary NWO-funded project FUTURED – Fostering Upskilled Talent for Urban Resilience, Energy Transition, and Digitalisation in the Built Environment.

The project develops adaptive labour market futures to 2050 and translates them into actionable strategies for policymakers, industry, and educational institutions. A key innovation is the development of a scenario-based serious game that supports future-oriented dialogue and strategic workforce planning.

You will work at the intersection of foresight, labour economics, computational analysis, and interactive design to strengthen workforce resilience under accelerating twin transitions.

You will collaborate with the research group of dr. Xiao Peng in the Organisation in Digital Transition (ODT) at Utrecht University of Applied Sciences. You will work within the research line “Digitalisation and Sustainability – Energy Transition”, which includes several research projects focused on the energy transition, such as Local Energy Systems and Energy Behavior Change. https://www.internationalhu.com/research/organisations-in-digital-transition#Onderzoekslijnen

Job responsibilities

• Design and implement scenario planning and future-making methodologies
• Conduct quantitative and qualitative labour market analyses and projections at national and regional levels
• Engage with stakeholders in co-creation workshops and case studies (e.g., Midden-Utrecht and FoodValley regions)
• Develop conceptual and analytical models for labour market adaptivity
• Design and develop a scenario-based serious game to support future-making and stakeholder engagement
• Contribute to high-quality scientific publications and conference presentations
• Support coordination of WP2 research activities within the FUTURED consortium
• You will be contributing to the Urban Informatics research theme at the chair of Information Systems in the Built Environment (ISBE).

Job Requirements

• A Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Innovation Sciences, Labour Economics, Public Policy, Built Environment, Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Data Science, or a related field.
• Strong interest in labour market transformation, digitalisation, and the energy transition.
• Demonstrable experience with scenario analysis, foresight methods, or system-level analysis.
• Experience with qualitative and quantitative data analysis; familiarity with computational methods (e.g., NLP, text-as-data, Python/R) is highly desirable.
• Interest in serious games, interactive tools, or participatory research methods is an advantage.
• A research-oriented attitude.
• Ability to work in an interdisciplinary team and interested in collaborating with societal partners.
• Motivated to develop your teaching skills and coach students.
• Fluent in spoken and written English, (C1 level).
• A positive attitude and good communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to work in a team and on own initiative.
• Fluency in Dutch, both spoken and written, is required due to the intensive collaboration with Dutch-speaking stakeholders and regional partners.

Conditions of Employment
A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university, in an interdisciplinary setting and within an international network. You will work on a beautiful, green campus within walking distance of the central train station. In addition, we offer you:

• Full-time employment for four years, with an intermediate assessment after nine months. You will spend a minimum of 10% of your four-year employment on teaching tasks, with a maximum of 15% per year of your employment.
• Salary and benefits (such as a pension scheme, paid pregnancy and maternity leave, partially paid parental leave) in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, scale P (min. € 3,059 - max. € 3,881).
• A year-end bonus of 8.3% and annual vacation pay of 8%.
• High-quality training programs and other support to grow into a self-aware, autonomous scientific researcher. At TU/e we challenge you to take charge of your own learning process.
• An excellent technical infrastructure, on-campus children's day care and sports facilities.
• Unlimited access to the modern on‑campus TU/e Student Sports Center at an exceptionally affordable rate, for you and, if applicable, your partner.
• An allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs.
• A Staff Immigration Team and a tax compensation scheme (the 30% facility) for international candidates.

About us
We are a leading international university where scientific curiosity meets a hands-on mindset. We work in an open and collaborative way with high-tech industries to tackle complex societal challenges. Our responsible and respectful approach ensures impact — today and in the future. TU/e is home to over 13,000 students and more than 7,000 staff, forming a diverse and vibrant academic community.

Our university is located in Brainport Eindhoven — a world‑leading tech region with more than 7,000 high‑tech companies and strong R&D activity. Known for breakthroughs in AI, photonics, semiconductors and advanced manufacturing, Brainport is a place where technology serves people and society. Learn more about the Brainport region here.

Sustainability, in its broadest definition, is the cornerstone of research and education in the Department of Built Environment. We take the lead in (re)shaping the built environment to be future-proof, safe, healthy, inclusive and respectful of planetary boundaries. We house the entire spectrum of technology, engineering, design, and human behavior disciplines in the built environment, with world-class experimental facilities at all scales. This allows us to address societal challenges from a uniquely integrated perspective.

Information
Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more? Please contact the hiring manager Dr. Qi Han, q.han@tue.nl of dr. Dujuan Yang, d.yang@tue.nl.

Visit our website for more information about the application process or the conditions of employment. You can also contact L. van Houten, HR-Advisor, l.v.houten@tue.nl or +31 40 247 8269.

Curious to hear more about what it’s like as a PhD candidate at TU/e? Please view the video.

Are you inspired and would like to know more about working at TU/e? Please visit our career page.

Application
We invite you to submit a complete application by using the apply button. The application should include a:

• Cover letter in which you describe your motivation and qualifications for the position.
• Curriculum vitae, including a list of your publications and the contact information of three references. Kindly note that we may reach out to references at any stage of the recruitment process. We recommend notifying your references upon submitting your application.

Ensure that you submit all the requested application documents. We give priority to complete applications.

We look forward to receiving your application and will screen it as soon as possible. The vacancy will remain open until the position is filled.

Please note

• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
• A pre-employment screening (e.g. knowledge security check) can be part of the selection procedure. For more information on the knowledge security check, please consult the National Knowledge Security Guidelines.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.

PhD in Adaptive Labour Market Futures for the Built Environment Energy and Digital Transition

As a PhD candidate, you will conduct cutting-edge research on how digitalisation and the energy transition reshape the labour market in the built environment. You will be part of the interdisciplinary NWO-funded project FUTURED – Fostering Upskilled Talent for Urban Resilience, Energy Transition, and Digitalisation in the Built Environment.

The project develops adaptive labour market futures to 2050 and translates them into actionable strategies for policymakers, industry, and educational institutions. A key innovation is the development of a scenario-based serious game that supports future-oriented dialogue and strategic workforce planning.

You will work at the intersection of foresight, labour economics, computational analysis, and interactive design to strengthen workforce resilience under accelerating twin transitions.

You will collaborate with the research group of dr. Xiao Peng in the Organisation in Digital Transition (ODT) at Utrecht University of Applied Sciences. You will work within the research line “Digitalisation and Sustainability – Energy Transition”, which includes several research projects focused on the energy transition, such as Local Energy Systems and Energy Behavior Change. https://www.internationalhu.com/research/organisations-in-digital-transition#Onderzoekslijnen

Job responsibilities

• Design and implement scenario planning and future-making methodologies
• Conduct quantitative and qualitative labour market analyses and projections at national and regional levels
• Engage with stakeholders in co-creation workshops and case studies (e.g., Midden-Utrecht and FoodValley regions)
• Develop conceptual and analytical models for labour market adaptivity
• Design and develop a scenario-based serious game to support future-making and stakeholder engagement
• Contribute to high-quality scientific publications and conference presentations
• Support coordination of WP2 research activities within the FUTURED consortium
• You will be contributing to the Urban Informatics research theme at the chair of Information Systems in the Built Environment (ISBE).

Assistant Professor in Artificial Intelligence for Software Engineering

Introduction
Are you intrigued by the expanding role of AI in software engineering—and eager to explore both its potential and its limitations with scientific rigor and real‑world relevance? Do you want to drive cutting‑edge research, inspire the next generation of software engineers, and collaborate closely with partners in academia and industry? Then you may be the Assistant Professor we’re looking for.

Job Description
Software engineering faces persistent challenges such as increasing system complexity and interdependence, technological diversity, and the socio-technical nature of software development. These factors call for new and innovative solutions. The rise of advanced AI‑driven tools and techniques offers powerful opportunities to address long‑standing issues, and an increasing number of companies are exploring AI applications to enhance their software engineering practices. At the same time, applying AI in software engineering introduces challenges related to accuracy, efficiency, fairness, correctness, integration into existing workflows, and usability.

The appointed Assistant Professor will conduct cutting-edge research on the use and impact of AI methodologies in software engineering. We expect them to be able to collaborate with most researchers from the Software Engineering and Technology cluster (SET).

The research at SET addresses a broad spectrum of software engineering topics: from digital twins to software evolution, from software architecture to software verification, and from human aspects of software engineering to secure software engineering. Our current software engineering faculty includes Ion Barosan, Mark van den Brand, Michel R. V. Chaudron, Loek Cleophas, Yanja Dajsuren, Iman Hemati Moghadam, Kees Huizing, Jacob Krüger, Ivan Kurtev, Alexander Nolte, Lina Ochoa, Mazyar Seraj, Alexander Serebrenik, Katja Tuma, and Anton Wijs.

As an assistant professor, you bring a strong affinity for software engineering, a solid background in AI, and a publication record in leading software engineering conferences and journals. In this role, you will also help shape SET’s educational portfolio by teaching at the bachelor and master levels and supervising student projects. During the first three years of your appointment, your teaching load will not exceed 30%, increasing to a maximum of 50% thereafter. Within these three years, you are expected to obtain the University Teaching Qualification, supported by our dedicated training and mentoring programs.

In this role, you will contribute to the ambition of the Beethoven program to educate top talent and strengthen research across the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).

Job Requirements

• Motivated researcher, with a PhD in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Artificial Intelligence or a comparable domain.
• Strong affinity for software engineering as reflected in a publication record in leading software engineering conferences and journals.
• Strong expertise in AI.
• Ability to conduct high quality academic research, reflected in demonstratable outputs.
• Motivated to teach, contribute to teaching processes, and to develop excellent teaching skills.
• Strong cooperation skills and ability to work in an interdisciplinary team.
• Effective communication and leadership skills, including coaching and mentoring of students and staff, leading a project or chairing a group.
• Excellent (written and verbal) proficiency in English.

Conditions of Employment
A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university, in an interdisciplinary setting and within an international network. You will work on a beautiful, green campus within walking distance of the central train station. In addition, we offer you:

• Salary in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, For an Assistant Professor this is (scale 11) min. € 4.728,- max. € 6.433,- gross per month (on a full-time basis).
• A year-end bonus of 8.3% and annual vacation pay of 8%.
• A dedicated mentoring program to help you get to know the university and the Dutch (research) environment.
• A Development Track with the prospect of becoming an Associate Professor. If you have a more senior profile, a tailor-made career proposal will be considered.
• High-quality training programs for academic leadership and teaching.
• An excellent technical infrastructure, on-campus children's day care and sports facilities.
• Unlimited access to the modern on‑campus TU/e Student Sports Center at an exceptionally affordable rate, for you and, if applicable, your partner.
• Partially paid parental leave and an allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs.
• A Staff Immigration Team is available for international candidates, as are a tax compensation scheme (the 30% facility) and partner career support.

About us
We are a leading international university where scientific curiosity meets a hands-on mindset. We work in an open and collaborative way with high-tech industries to tackle complex societal challenges. Our responsible and respectful approach ensures impact — today and in the future. TU/e is home to over 13,000 students and more than 7,000 staff, forming a diverse and vibrant academic community.

Our university is located in Brainport Eindhoven — a world‑leading tech region with more than 7,000 high‑tech companies and strong R&D activity. Known for breakthroughs in AI, photonics, semiconductors and advanced manufacturing, Brainport is a place where technology serves people and society. Learn more about the Brainport region here.

With over 110 (assistant, associate and full) professors, almost 300 PhD and EngD students, about 1500 Bachelor students and 1000 Master students, the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science (M&CS) is the largest department of the TU/e. By performing top-level fundamental and applied research, and maintaining strong ties with industry, M&CS aims to contribute to science and innovation in and beyond the region.

Information
Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more?
Please contact the hiring manager Alexander Serebrenik, Cluster Lead Software Engineering and Technology, a.serebrenik@tue.nl or +31 40 2473595.

Visit our website for more information about the application process or the conditions of employment. You can also contact Annette van Kamp-Rustenburg, Senior Recruiter Talent Attraction, a.j.v.kamp.rustenburg1@tue.nl or +316 3936 6434.

Curious to hear more about what it is like as a professor at TU/e? Please watch the video.

Are you inspired and would like to know more about working at TU/e? Please visit our career page.

Application
We invite you to submit a complete application. The application should include a:

• Cover letter in which you describe your motivation and qualifications for the position.
• Curriculum vitae, including a list of your publications and the contact information of three references. Kindly note that we may reach out to references at any stage of the recruitment process. We recommend notifying your references upon submitting your application.
• Description of your scientific interests and plans (1-2 pages).
• Statement of your teaching goals and experience (1-2 pages).

We look forward to receiving your application before May 15, 2023.

Ensure that you submit all the requested application documents. Please note that incomplete applications may not be considered and could be rejected.

We look forward to receiving your application and will review it once the vacancy has closed.

Please note

• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
• A pre-employment screening (e.g. knowledge security check) can be part of the selection procedure. For more information on the knowledge security check, please consult the National Knowledge Security Guidelines.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.

Assistant Professor in Artificial Intelligence for Software Engineering

Software engineering faces persistent challenges such as increasing system complexity and interdependence, technological diversity, and the socio-technical nature of software development. These factors call for new and innovative solutions. The rise of advanced AI‑driven tools and techniques offers powerful opportunities to address long‑standing issues, and an increasing number of companies are exploring AI applications to enhance their software engineering practices. At the same time, applying AI in software engineering introduces challenges related to accuracy, efficiency, fairness, correctness, integration into existing workflows, and usability.

The appointed Assistant Professor will conduct cutting-edge research on the use and impact of AI methodologies in software engineering. We expect them to be able to collaborate with most researchers from the Software Engineering and Technology cluster (SET).

The research at SET addresses a broad spectrum of software engineering topics: from digital twins to software evolution, from software architecture to software verification, and from human aspects of software engineering to secure software engineering. Our current software engineering faculty includes Ion Barosan, Mark van den Brand, Michel R. V. Chaudron, Loek Cleophas, Yanja Dajsuren, Iman Hemati Moghadam, Kees Huizing, Jacob Krüger, Ivan Kurtev, Alexander Nolte, Lina Ochoa, Mazyar Seraj, Alexander Serebrenik, Katja Tuma, and Anton Wijs.

As an assistant professor, you bring a strong affinity for software engineering, a solid background in AI, and a publication record in leading software engineering conferences and journals. In this role, you will also help shape SET’s educational portfolio by teaching at the bachelor and master levels and supervising student projects. During the first three years of your appointment, your teaching load will not exceed 30%, increasing to a maximum of 50% thereafter. Within these three years, you are expected to obtain the University Teaching Qualification, supported by our dedicated training and mentoring programs.

In this role, you will contribute to the ambition of the Beethoven program to educate top talent and strengthen research across the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).

IP & Technology Transfer Specialist

Introduction
The TU/e Knowledge Transfer Office (KTO) is the university’s hub for transforming scientific breakthroughs into real-world impact. A central component of this mission is the active identification, protection, and commercialization of intellectual property (IP) arising from TU/e research. You will join KTO’s IP support and technology transfer team, working closely with business developers, researchers, and TU/e Participations.

Job Description
We are looking for a tech-savvy IP professional with a strong understanding of deep‑tech innovation and a passion for translating scientific discoveries into societal and economic value. Rather than focusing mainly on legal tasks, this role emphasizes IP evaluation, technology positioning, commercialization potential, and strategic portfolio development, in close collaboration with inventors, business developers, and external partners.

This position offers autonomy, variety, and the opportunity to work at the interface of advanced technology, market opportunities, and intellectual property strategy at one of Europe’s leading engineering universities.

Key Responsibilities

1. Early‑Stage IP Scouting & Invention Evaluation

• • Engage directly with research groups to identify promising inventions and technology opportunities.
  • Assess technical merit, patentability, competitive landscape of new disclosures.
  • Guide researchers in drafting high‑quality Invention Disclosure Forms (IDFs) and in understanding IP processes.

1. IP Protection Strategy & Patent Portfolio Development

• • Shape the protection strategy for TU/e technologies, aligning it with scientific strengths and market relevance.
  • Coordinate with business developers on patentability assessments, prior art reviews, and filing decisions.
  • Organizing, filing and prosecution of new and existing IP filings.
  • Monitor the ongoing quality and positioning of TU/e’s patent portfolio, ensuring resources are focused on technologies with strong commercial promise.

1. Commercialization & Tech‑Transfer Pathway Development

• • Translate technical concepts into value propositions for industry partners, licensees, and potential spin-offs.
  • Work with business developers to explore licensing opportunities, market entry routes, and potential partnerships.
  • Support TU/e Participations and venture-building colleagues in preparing IP elements relevant for spin-off creation (ownership clarity, licensing structure, strategic fit).

1. Data‑Driven IP Insights & Automation

• • Use advanced tools, including AI-driven IP analytics, to identify technological trends, competitors, and whitespace opportunities.
  • Contribute to automating parts of the IDF intake, evaluation, and portfolio management workflows.
  • Help develop dashboards and analytical tools for IP portfolio monitoring and decision support.

1. Community Engagement & IP Awareness

• • Develop and deliver IP awareness activities, workshops, and materials for researchers and support staff.
  • Promote a culture of innovation and early reporting of research results across departments.
  • Act as a trusted advisor for researchers navigating commercializing their ideas.

Job Requirements
Education & Experience

• Academic background, preferably a Master or a PhD in engineering or physics or related technical fields.
• Experience in technology transfer, IP management, innovation support, or R&D environments (5–10 years).
• A solid understanding of patents and IP processes; legal training is welcome but not the focus of this role.

Expertise

• Strong affinity with:
  
  • IP strategy and technology positioning
  • Patentability assessments and technology landscaping
  • Commercialization routes for deep‑tech (licensing, partnerships, spin-offs)
  • Automation, digital tools, and data-driven portfolio insights
  • AI-supported patent analytics (preferred)

Skills

• Highly tech‑savvy and comfortable working with modern IP and data systems.
• Strong communication skills—able to translate technical concepts to non-technical audiences.
• A collaborative mindset and the ability to serve as a connector between researchers, business developers, and external partners.
• Proactive, analytical, structured, and service‑oriented.
• Fluent English and preferably also in Dutch.

Conditions of Employment
An exciting position within an international yet personal university. You are right in the middle of the students, on a green campus within walking distance of the central station. Besides beautiful architecture, you will find varied workplaces and excellent sports facilities. We also offer you:

• Position 1.0 – 0.8 FTE; initial one-year contract with the intention of permanence.
• A monthly salary of minimum € 5,705 to maximum € 7,904 for full-time employment, depending on your knowledge and experience (scale 12/13 Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities).
• In addition to vacation pay, a structural end-of-year bonus of 8.3%.
• A favorable arrangement for more holidays or a sabbatical.
• A selection model for additional fringe benefits.
• Working hours in consultation for an optimal work-life balance.
• Scope for your talent with advancement prospects and excellent development opportunities such as mentoring, workshops and coaching.
• A dynamic, mission-driven work environment on a vibrant campus.
• Partially paid parental leave and reimbursement for commuting expenses, working from home and the internet.
• A generous employer contribution to the favorable ABP pension plan.
• Unlimited access to the modern on‑campus TU/e Student Sports Center at an exceptionally affordable rate, for you and, if applicable, your partner.

Here you can discover even more information about our conditions of employment. Build on your career at TU/e!

About us
We are a leading international university where scientific curiosity meets a hands-on mindset. We work in an open and collaborative way with high-tech industries to tackle complex societal challenges. Our responsible and respectful approach ensures impact — today and in the future. TU/e is home to over 13,000 students and more than 7,000 staff, forming a diverse and vibrant academic community.

Our university is located in Brainport Eindhoven — a world‑leading tech region with more than 7,000 high‑tech companies and strong R&D activity. Known for breakthroughs in AI, photonics, semiconductors and advanced manufacturing, Brainport is a place where technology serves people and society. Learn more about the Brainport region here.

Research Support and Valorization consists of the Research Support Office (RSO) and startup helpdesk The Gate. RSO supports and unburdens researchers with obtaining external funding for their research and developing project proposals. At The Gate, business developers and IP-experts offer support in translating research results into successful innovations and new companies.

Information
Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to have more information about the position, you can contact Euflex Search & Select, 100% subsidiary of TU/e.

Ceciel Gijsbers or Linde Keverkamp, cgijsbers@tue.nl resp. l.c.keverkamp.hoek@tue.nl, 0651164692 resp. 040-2476303

For questions about the application process or the conditions of employment, please contact ...

Are you inspired and would like to know more about working at TU/e? Please visit our career page.

Application
If you are interested, please use the ‘apply’ button at https://www.euflex.nl/vacatures/project-officer-me-cb-htsc/ to send us your CV and letter of application with your motivation and a description of your qualifications.

Screening of candidates begins as soon as applications are received and continues until the position is filled. Where applicable, internal candidates will be given priority over external candidates where they are equally suitable.

We look forward to receiving your application!

Please note

• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
• A pre-employment screening (e.g. knowledge security check) can be part of the selection procedure. For more information on the knowledge security check, please consult the National Knowledge Security Guidelines.
• Important for non-EU applicants: Please be aware that for this position, specific residence permit requirements apply. If you are a non-EU national, you may not be eligible to legally work in this role under current Dutch immigration regulations. We strongly advise you to contact our Staff Immigration Team (staffimmigration@tue.nl) before applying to check your eligibility and to receive further guidance.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.