Postdoc in Design for Recognition and Human Freedom

Job description

Emerging automation technologies are increasingly mediating social encounters and challenging established understandings of recognitional justice. Examples range from how users come to recognize AI-generated avatars as genuine companions, to how the labor of data annotators in AI supply chains is (or is not) duly acknowledged through digital interfaces.

In recent decades, recognitive processes have garnered growing attention in social and political philosophy, sparking renewed interest in G.W.F. Hegel’s work and its ethical dimensions. During the same period, the philosophy of technology has matured into a distinct field, with a particular focus on how concrete technological artifacts mediate human-world relations. These two strands of thought are increasingly being bridged in contemporary studies that explore recognition in the context of technological mediation, especially through AI. Yet, the question remains open as to whether—and how—mutual recognition between humans can be effectively mediated by automated technologies.

This postdoctoral position is dedicated to exploring the role of design in enabling technology-mediated recognition as a condition for human freedom. The research will contribute to an ongoing effort to reinterpret Hegel’s reflections on recognition, focusing on the idea that form-giving labor can materialize, in technical objects, the relative freedom of a given social relation, and ultimately serves as a ground for human emancipation.

The successful candidate is expected to further develop this articulation of design, recognition, and freedom by contributing original perspectives informed by their own background. Relevant areas of expertise may include Hegel’s philosophies of right and aesthetics, Marxian political economy, critical theory, existentialism, postphenomenology, or other approaches. Candidates are also expected to empirically connect their investigations to contemporary cases regarding the development of artificial intelligence and related technologies, and to contribute to scholarly debates in the field of design.

The postdoctoral researcher will be part of the Design, Organisation and Strategy (DOS) Department at the Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering. The postdoc will be supervised by Dr. Fernando Secomandi, with co-supervision by Paul Cobben (VU Amsterdam). In addition, the postdoc will play a leading role in the executive management of the upcoming 'Justice by Design' lab, dedicated to bridging the fields of design and law, building networks among students, researchers, and other societal actors, as well as collaborating on research proposals and grant applications.

Job requirements

Required Qualifications:

• A PhD in Design, Philosophy, or a related field.
• A strong track record of academic publications.
• Excellent teamwork skills and a collaborative mindset.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Proficiency in Dutch and/or German.
• Experience in writing grant applications and securing research funding.
• Experience with interdisciplinary research and qualitative methods.

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 Industrial Design Engineering
Matching the evolution of people with the speed of the revolution of technology. This is the focus of the Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering (IDE). Delft designers act as a bridge between advances in technology and the needs of people, organisations and society to create products, services and systems with purpose.

IDE is a leader in design research across the application areas of mobility, sustainability and health, as well as its development of design tools and methods. A 350-strong research team and over 2,000 students work together in our inspiring hall, labs and studios.

In close cooperation with industry, the public sector and NGOs we rehearse possible futures in research and education to design for a complex future.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering.

PhD Position in Semiconductor Qubit Modelling

Job description

Future quantum computers will depend on the ability to reliably scale up and control large numbers of semiconductor qubits. In this PhD project, you will tackle key challenges in the practical realization of quantum computing hardware by developing theoretical and numerical models for next-generation semiconductor qubit platforms.

Your research will focus on the optimization of multi-qubit arrays, including the design, implementation and verification of scalable architectures and operational frameworks that suppress crosstalk and mitigate noise. You will combine analytical approaches and numerical simulations to model device performance, with a particular emphasis on novel low-power baseband qubits in germanium. Improving noise resilience and scalability is a central goal in advancing large-scale semiconductor-based quantum processors.

You will work closely with experimental research groups at QuTech and with industrial partners involved in quantum hardware development, both on campus and through international collaborations. This position offers a unique opportunity to bridge theory, modelling, and experiment in a world-leading quantum research environment and to contribute directly to the development of future quantum technologies.

Requirements

• A Master’s degree in computer science, computer engineering, mathematics, physics, nanotechnology, theoretical chemistry, or a closely related discipline.
• Strong team-working mindset, with excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively in an international and multidisciplinary research environment.
• High level of motivation, initiative, and independence, combined with a proactive and professional attitude.

TU Delft
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!

QuTech

QuTech is a mission-driven research institute of TU Delft. Together we are working on a radical new technology with world-changing potential. We are developing scalable prototypes of a quantum computer and a secure quantum internet.

We believe quantum technology will be a game changer in many social and economic sectors - including health, agriculture, climate, and security. To achieve our ambitious goals, we bring scientists, engineers, and industry together in an inspiring environment, with plenty of room for ambition, entrepreneurship, and innovation.

Have a look at our video and get a glimpse of QuTech.

Junior programmamedewerker met hart voor onderwijsonderzoek bij het NKO

Het Nationaal Kennisinstituut Onderwijs (NKO) pakt de grootste uitdagingen in het onderwijs aan. Denk aan de kwaliteit van lesgeven, het terugdringen van personeelstekorten, gelijke kansen en inclusief onderwijs, én het slim inzetten van technologie. Wij zorgen dat nieuwe wetenschappelijke kennis over deze thema’s ontwikkeld wordt en dat bestaande kennis over deze thema’s toegankelijk en praktisch beschikbaar is voor onderwijsprofessionals en beleidsmakers. Zo dragen we bij aan het doel om het onderwijs elke dag beter te maken.

Wat ga je doen
Het team onderwijsonderzoek vervolgonderwijs is verantwoordelijk voor de ontwikkeling van nieuwe wetenschappelijke kennis voor het onderwijs. Hiervoor worden onder andere financieringsprocedures opgezet, uitgevoerd en gemonitord. In dit team word jij programmamedewerker. Samen met collega’s werk je vanuit de belangrijkste vraagstukken in het vervolgonderwijs aan relevante onderzoeksprogramma’s en -projecten van hoge kwaliteit en met impact voor het onderwijs mogelijk. Je takenpakket is veelomvattend, en daagt je uit om te blijven leren.

Jouw belangrijkste taken zijn:

• Je bent betrokken bij de opzet en uitvoering van financieringsrondes. Financieringen hebben de vorm van subsidies of aanbestedingen.
• Je stelt beoordelingscommissies samen en zorgt ervoor dat aanvragen worden beoordeeld volgens een vastgestelde procedure.
• Bij beoordelingsvergaderingen zie je toe op een goed verloop van het beoordelingsproces. Je maakt ook het vergaderverslag.
• Je monitort samen met je collega’s toegekende onderzoeken. Je onderhoudt hiervoor contacten met de uitvoerders van de onderzoeken, financiers, experts, vertegenwoordigers uit de doelgroep en andere belanghebbenden.
• Je neemt deel aan overleggen en organiseert zelf bijeenkomsten, zoals start- en voortgangsbijeenkomsten van onderzoeksprogramma’s en expertbijeenkomsten.

Doordat we binnen het NKO gezamenlijk werken aan de belangrijkste vraagstukken in het onderwijs zullen er mogelijk ook taken zijn binnen andere teams, waaronder team Kennisdeling.

Facilitair Coördinator

Je zorgt voor de voorbereiding en uitvoering van facilitaire projecten en opdrachten van de eerste afstemming tot de afronding. Denk bijvoorbeeld aan het ombouwen van een ruimte tot een kolfkamer of leslokaal. Je houdt het overzicht, brengt mensen samen en zorgt voor duidelijke afstemming en terugkoppeling, zowel mondeling als schriftelijk. Als aanspreekpunt voor gebruikers, leveranciers en collega’s stem je verwachtingen zorgvuldig af. Je werkt aan verbetervoorstellen en levert een actieve bijdrage aan de verdere ontwikkeling van de dienstverlening in jouw regio.

Je werkzaamheden zijn onder andere:

• Je begeleidt projecten over facilitaire dienstverlening en borgt hierin de processen.
• Je bent aanspreekpunt voor dienstverleningsverzoeken, zoals de implementatie van een nieuw vending- of schoonmaakcontract in een of meerdere regio’s.
• Je coacht en begeleidt facilitair medewerkers en servicepuntmedewerkers.
• Je draagt bij aan het operationeel contractmanagement van soft services zoals schoonmaak, pestcontrol en receptie-/servicepunten.
• Je verdeelt werkzaamheden, bewaakt de voortgang en zorgt voor heldere communicatie en rapportage voor betrokkenen.
• Je werkt aan de uitwerking en implementatie van verbetervoorstellen voor processen en dienstverlening.

Je maakt deel uit van regioteam USP Centrum, een onderdeel van de afdeling Facilitaire Services. Deze regio is verantwoordelijk voor de facilitaire dienstverlening in diverse onderwijs-, onderzoeks- en kantoorgebouwen van de universiteit op het USP. De uitvoering ligt deels bij het interne team en deels bij externe leveranciers.

Je werkt samen met een teamleider en een collega-projectleider/coördinator. Bij afwezigheid van de teamleider ben jij aanspreekpunt voor de dagelijkse aansturing. Het regioteam bestaat uit facilitair medewerkers, servicepuntmedewerkers, en wordt aangevuld met externe surveillanten en servicemedewerkers.

Postdoc Position in Algebraic Geometry

You will join a research group in algebraic geometry, working on a project focusing on Hilbert schemes of points, from a derived categorical perspective. This project aims to understand (derived categories of) Hilbert schemes of points on (noncommutative) surfaces, and compute their categorical invariants like Hochschild cohomology, and generalize these results to abstract symmetric powers of dg categories. You will be embedded in the research group of Pieter Belmans and ,more broadly, in the Utrecht Geometry Centre, a vibrant place with many activities like seminars, working groups, and conferences. The broader algebraic geometry landscape in the Netherlands is also highly active.

You will also have the opportunity to develop your own research agenda in the context of the research in algebraic geometry (and beyond) taking place at the Utrecht Geometry Centre.