Junior docent afdeling Gezondheidswetenschappen

De BSc en MSc Gezondheidswetenschappen zijn multidisciplinaire opleidingen in het domein Human Life Sciences, met veel aandacht voor de binding tussen student en opleiding. De opleidingen beschikken over een enthousiast team van juniordocenten. Deze verzorgen inhoudelijk gezondheidswetenschappelijk onderwijs en ondersteunen in de onderwijsorganisatie. Ze voeren daarnaast projecten uit rond onderwijsinnovatie en zijn de gesprekspartners voor docenten die willen investeren in onderwijsvernieuwing.

Momenteel worden de curricula van zowel de BSc als de MSc herzien. Om ons team tijdelijk te versterken, zijn wij op zoek naar een juniordocent ter ondersteuning van de ontwikkeling van het onderwijs in de nieuwe curricula. De positie betreft een tijdelijke functie van 1 jaar.

Jouw taken

• voorbereiden en begeleiden van werkgroepen en computerpractica
• beoordelen van eindopdrachten
• uitvoeren van coördinerende en administratieve taken ten behoeve van het onderwijs
• participatie in ontwikkel- en innovatieteams op het gebied van onderwijsvernieuwing
• bijdragen aan de organisatie van het onderwijs van de afdeling gezondheidswetenschappen

Two PhD Positions on Linking Mountain Building and Biodiversity in the Northern Andes (PhD-2)

About the position
The HUMBOLDT project explores the links between mountain building and biodiversity in the Northern Andes, one of the most biodiverse mountain systems on Earth. Climate and habitat richness alone cannot fully explain why some mountain ranges are exceptionally diverse. HUMBOLDT therefore tests whether and how mountain uplift helped drive speciation and biodiversity. To answer this question, the project aims to reconstruct the topographic evolution of the Northern Andes at high resolution by integrating geological data, topographic analysis, and landscape evolution modelling. These reconstructions will then be compared with biodiversity and speciation data from ecologists.

We are recruiting two closely connected PhD candidates. PhD-1 will focus on generating geological constraints on landscape evolution through fieldwork, laboratory analyses, and data interpretation. PhD-2 will focus on developing and applying numerical and inverse models to reconstruct paleo-topography and link these reconstructions to biodiversity patterns. The two PhD candidates will work as an integrated team and collaborate with partners in Colombia, Germany, and Switzerland. Depending on your background and interests, you may indicate a preference for PhD-1, PhD-2, or both positions. This is the official application page for PhD-2. If you prefer to apply for PhD-1, please use this link to access the corresponding application page.

The positions are embedded in the Ecosystem and Landscape Dynamics department at IBED, within the group of Dr. Richard Ott, which investigates the evolution of erosional landscapes and the use of geomorphic archives to reconstruct and predict past and future landscape dynamics. This research environment provides opportunities to develop your academic profile through collaboration, publishing, conference participation, student supervision, and teaching.

What are you going to do?
Tasks and responsibilities:
As part of the HUMBOLDT project, you will work in an international team, present your research at conferences, publish in peer-reviewed journals, contribute to teaching, and help supervise BSc and MSc students.

For PhD-1, your work will focus on:

• Conducting fieldwork in Colombia and collecting samples in key regions of the Northern Andes;
• Laboratory work for cosmogenic nuclides and thermochronology data;
• Using your data to quantify erosion, exhumation, and orogen tectonics;
• Integrating field and laboratory results with geological and topographic data to constrain landscape evolution.

For PhD-2, your work will focus on:

• Compiling and analysing geological, topographic, and biodiversity datasets;
• Developing and applying landscape evolution and Bayesian inverse models;
• Reconstructing paleo-topography and spatially variable mountain building through time;
• Comparing paleo-topographic reconstructions with biodiversity and speciation data in collaboration with ecological partners.

Your profile
Your experience and profile:
We are looking for ambitious and collaborative candidates with a strong interest in mountain building, landscape evolution, and interdisciplinary research at the interface of geoscience and ecology. You should have strong English communication skills, enjoy working in an international research environment, and be motivated to develop your quantitative and scientific skills further.

For PhD-1, you:

• have a MSc in Earth Sciences, Physical Geography, or a related field;
• have a background or strong affinity with geomorphology and tectonics (erosion, mountain building, structural tectonics, topographic analysis);
• enjoy combining field-based research with laboratory work and quantitative analysis;
• are willing to undertake physically demanding fieldwork in Colombia;
• have experience with, or a strong interest in learning, scripting/programming such as Python, R, or MATLAB.

For PhD-2, you:

• have a MSc in Earth Sciences, Physical Geography, or a related field;
• have a background or strong affinity with geomorphology and/or ecology (erosion, mountain building, structural tectonics, topographic analysis, macroecology, evolutionary dynamics);
• have a strong quantitative background and interest in numerical modelling;
• have experience with scripting/programming such as Python, R, or MATLAB.

Our offer
We offer you a temporary contract for 38 hours per week for the duration of 4 years (the initial contract will be for a period of 18 months and after satisfactory evaluation it will be extended to the total duration of 4 years). This should lead to a dissertation (PhD thesis). We will draft an educational plan that includes attendance of courses and (international) meetings. We also expect you to assist in teaching undergraduates and master students. The preferred starting date is December 2026 but can be discussed.

For this position the University Job Classification profile “Promovendus” (PhD candidate) applies. Your salary will be €3,059 gross per month in the first year and will increase to €3,881 in the final year, based on full-time employment of 38 hours per week. In addition, you will receive an 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% year-end allowance.

A favourable tax agreement, the ‘30% ruling’, may apply to non-Dutch applicants.

The Collective Labour Agreement of Universities of the Netherlands is applicable.

Besides the salary and a vibrant and challenging environment at Science Park we offer you multiple fringe benefits:

• 232 holiday hours per year (based on fulltime) and extra holidays between Christmas and 1 January;
• multiple courses to follow from our Teaching and Learning Centre;
• a complete educational program for postdocs;
• multiple courses on topics such as leadership for academic staff;
• multiple courses on topics such as time management, handling stress and an online learning platform with 100+ different courses;
• 7 weeks birth leave (partner leave) with 100% salary;
• partly paid parental leave;
• the possibility to set up a workplace at home;
• a pension at ABP for which UvA pays two third part of the contribution;
• the possibility to follow courses to learn Dutch;
• help with registration at UvA- Housing for a studio or small apartment when you’re moving from abroad.

Are you curious to read more about our extensive package of secondary employment benefits, take a look here.

About us
The Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics (IBED) is one of eight research institutes of the Faculty of Science at the University of Amsterdam. The research at IBED aims to unravel how ecosystems function in all their complexity, and how they change due to natural processes and human activities. At its core lies an integrated systems approach to study biodiversity, ecosystems and the environment. IBED adopts this systems approach to ecosystems, addressing abiotic (soil and water quality) and biotic factors (ecology and evolution of plants, animals, and microorganisms), and the interplay between those. The IBED vision includes research encompassing experimental and theoretical approaches at a wide variety of temporal and spatial scales, i.e. from molecules and microorganisms to patterns and processes occurring at the global scale. The University of Amsterdam has excellent high performance computing facilities. Furthermore, IBED has a dedicated computational support team with specialized knowledge of bioinformatics, (geo)database management and scientific programming. IBED also works with non-academic partners to deliver transdisciplinary science for society.

The position will be based in the Department of Ecosystem and Landscape Dynamics. The Ecosystem and Landscape Dynamics research department improves our understanding of the functioning and dynamics of abiotic and biotic components of (geo-)ecosystems across landscapes through time.

Want to know more about our organisation? Read more about working at the University of Amsterdam.

Two PhD Positions on Linking Mountain Building and Biodiversity in the Northern Andes (PhD-1)

About the position
The HUMBOLDT project explores the links between mountain building and biodiversity in the Northern Andes, one of the most biodiverse mountain systems on Earth. Climate and habitat richness alone cannot fully explain why some mountain ranges are exceptionally diverse. HUMBOLDT therefore tests whether and how mountain uplift helped drive speciation and biodiversity. To answer this question, the project aims to reconstruct the topographic evolution of the Northern Andes at high resolution by integrating geological data, topographic analysis, and landscape evolution modelling. These reconstructions will then be compared with biodiversity and speciation data from ecologists.

We are recruiting two closely connected PhD candidates. PhD-1 will focus on generating geological constraints on landscape evolution through fieldwork, laboratory analyses, and data interpretation. PhD-2 will focus on developing and applying numerical and inverse models to reconstruct paleo-topography and link these reconstructions to biodiversity patterns. The two PhD candidates will work as an integrated team and collaborate with partners in Colombia, Germany, and Switzerland. Depending on your background and interests, you may indicate a preference for PhD-1, PhD-2, or both positions. This is the official application page for PhD-1. If you prefer to apply for PhD-2, please use this link to access the corresponding application page.

The positions are embedded in the Ecosystem and Landscape Dynamics department at IBED, within the group of Dr. Richard Ott, which investigates the evolution of erosional landscapes and the use of geomorphic archives to reconstruct and predict past and future landscape dynamics. This research environment provides opportunities to develop your academic profile through collaboration, publishing, conference participation, student supervision, and teaching.

What are you going to do?
Tasks and responsibilities:
As part of the HUMBOLDT project, you will work in an international team, present your research at conferences, publish in peer-reviewed journals, contribute to teaching, and help supervise BSc and MSc students.

For PhD-1, your work will focus on:

• Conducting fieldwork in Colombia and collecting samples in key regions of the Northern Andes;
• Laboratory work for cosmogenic nuclides and thermochronology data;
• Using your data to quantify erosion, exhumation, and orogen tectonics;
• Integrating field and laboratory results with geological and topographic data to constrain landscape evolution.

For PhD-2, your work will focus on:

• Compiling and analysing geological, topographic, and biodiversity datasets;
• Developing and applying landscape evolution and Bayesian inverse models;
• Reconstructing paleo-topography and spatially variable mountain building through time;
• Comparing paleo-topographic reconstructions with biodiversity and speciation data in collaboration with ecological partners.

Your profile
Your experience and profile:
We are looking for ambitious and collaborative candidates with a strong interest in mountain building, landscape evolution, and interdisciplinary research at the interface of geoscience and ecology. You should have strong English communication skills, enjoy working in an international research environment, and be motivated to develop your quantitative and scientific skills further.

For PhD-1, you:

• have a MSc in Earth Sciences, Physical Geography, or a related field;
• have a background or strong affinity with geomorphology and tectonics (erosion, mountain building, structural tectonics, topographic analysis);
• enjoy combining field-based research with laboratory work and quantitative analysis;
• are willing to undertake physically demanding fieldwork in Colombia;
• have experience with, or a strong interest in learning, scripting/programming such as Python, R, or MATLAB.

For PhD-2, you:

• have a MSc in Earth Sciences, Physical Geography, or a related field;
• have a background or strong affinity with geomorphology and/or ecology (erosion, mountain; building, structural tectonics, topographic analysis, macroecology, evolutionary dynamics);
• have a strong quantitative background and interest in numerical modelling;
• have experience with scripting/programming such as Python, R, or MATLAB.

Our offer
We offer you a temporary contract for 38 hours per week for the duration of 4 years (the initial contract will be for a period of 18 months and after satisfactory evaluation it will be extended to the total duration of 4 years). This should lead to a dissertation (PhD thesis). We will draft an educational plan that includes attendance of courses and (international) meetings. We also expect you to assist in teaching undergraduates and master students. The preferred starting date is December 2026 but can be discussed.

For this position the University Job Classification profile “Promovendus” (PhD candidate) applies. Your salary will be €3,059 gross per month in the first year and will increase to €3,881 in the final year, based on full-time employment of 38 hours per week. In addition, you will receive an 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% year-end allowance.

A favourable tax agreement, the ‘30% ruling’, may apply to non-Dutch applicants.

The Collective Labour Agreement of Universities of the Netherlands is applicable.

Besides the salary and a vibrant and challenging environment at Science Park we offer you multiple fringe benefits:

• 232 holiday hours per year (based on fulltime) and extra holidays between Christmas and 1 January;
• multiple courses to follow from our Teaching and Learning Centre;
• a complete educational program for postdocs;
• multiple courses on topics such as leadership for academic staff;
• multiple courses on topics such as time management, handling stress and an online learning platform with 100+ different courses;
• 7 weeks birth leave (partner leave) with 100% salary;
• partly paid parental leave;
• the possibility to set up a workplace at home;
• a pension at ABP for which UvA pays two third part of the contribution;
• the possibility to follow courses to learn Dutch;
• help with registration at UvA- Housing for a studio or small apartment when you’re moving from abroad.

Are you curious to read more about our extensive package of secondary employment benefits, take a look here.

About us
The Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics (IBED) is one of eight research institutes of the Faculty of Science at the University of Amsterdam. The research at IBED aims to unravel how ecosystems function in all their complexity, and how they change due to natural processes and human activities. At its core lies an integrated systems approach to study biodiversity, ecosystems and the environment. IBED adopts this systems approach to ecosystems, addressing abiotic (soil and water quality) and biotic factors (ecology and evolution of plants, animals, and microorganisms), and the interplay between those. The IBED vision includes research encompassing experimental and theoretical approaches at a wide variety of temporal and spatial scales, i.e. from molecules and microorganisms to patterns and processes occurring at the global scale. The University of Amsterdam has excellent high performance computing facilities. Furthermore, IBED has a dedicated computational support team with specialized knowledge of bioinformatics, (geo)database management and scientific programming. IBED also works with non-academic partners to deliver transdisciplinary science for society.

The position will be based in the Department of Ecosystem and Landscape Dynamics. The Ecosystem and Landscape Dynamics research department improves our understanding of the functioning and dynamics of abiotic and biotic components of (geo-)ecosystems across landscapes through time.

Want to know more about our organisation? Read more about working at the University of Amsterdam.

PhD in Flexibility Services from Electrified Process Industry: A Focus on Steam-Heated Processes

The decarbonization of the industrial sector is critical to achieving climate neutrality. Steam-based industries, such as chemical manufacturing, food processing, and paper production, are among the most energy-intensive and carbon-emitting sectors. Electrification of thermal processes, particularly through the integration of industrial heat pumps, presents a promising pathway to reduce emissions while offering flexibility services to the energy system.

At the same time, the increasing penetration of variable renewable energy such as wind and solar creates a pressing need for flexibility services to balance supply and demand. Industrial processes, with their significant thermal inertia and storage potential, can provide valuable flexibility to the power grid. However, the integration of such services into steam-heated industrial processes remains a challenge, especially when considering the role of large-scale heat pumps, industrial heat storage, and heat recovery technologies as both decarbonization and flexibility enablers. The challenge rises from several factors affecting the daily operation of the factories as well as the investment requirements that might not be compensated accordingly when the derived flexibility is offered to the grid/market. In this regard, this PhD focuses on optimizing the use of flexibility in electrified process plants by leveraging dynamic behaviors and market participation.

With the above premises, the main objectives of this study are

1. Characterize the thermal demand profiles of steam-based industrial processes and identify opportunities for electrification. => Baseline optimisation
2. Assess the technical feasibility and performance of industrial heat pumps in steam generation and recovery. => Design options and technology inclusions
3. Develop models to quantify the flexibility potential of electrified steam systems, including load shifting, demand response, and ancillary services. => Energy use optimisation
4. Assess the techno-economic feasibility of providing flexibility services from electrified steam processes. => Business assessment
5. Grid impact assessment and capacity management approaches in an industry-infused network with integrated industrial flexibility services. => Grid impact assessment

In order to achieve these goals the following tasks would shape the work plan of the PhD:

Energy Portfolio Creation: A comprehensive estimation of the available flexibility within electrified process plants should be undertaken. This task involves a detailed assessment of the various processes and identifying potential extractable flexibility from electrified thermal systems. The goal is to quantify the extent to which these processes can be adjusted or modulated, taking into account the operational constraints and requirements. This estimation will include analyzing the energy consumption patterns, identifying peak and off-peak periods, and understanding the critical operational parameters that must remain stable. The maximum achievable flexibility that can be harnessed without compromising the efficiency, productivity, and overall operational stability of the process plants can be determined. This rigorous analysis will provide a clear picture of the flexibility potential and set the stage for implementing effective flexibility services tailored to the dynamic behavior of the process industry.

Flexibility service definition and potential calculations: The next task would be to identify and define flexibility services that are specifically tailored to the dynamic nature of process industries. This involves a thorough examination of the various industrial processes to determine how they can be adapted or modulated to provide flexibility services. The approach includes a detailed analysis of the operational characteristics and requirements of each process, aiming to understand the inherent dynamic behaviors and how they can be leveraged to create flexibility.

Through exploring different strategies for modulating processes, such as adjusting production schedules, varying energy consumption rates, and implementing advanced control systems, new definitions for flexibility services from industry will be provided. This definition would consider the type, feature, and characteristics of the service from both industry side and market side, meaning the conditions that the plant needs to follow to provide such services as well as the market conditions to which the service is offered.

Evaluating implementation potential: In this task, the energy market status for the process industry will be analysed to determine the viability of electrified processes considering the increased required electric demand and the new possibilities of saving energy costs using the flexibility of electrified thermal systems. To achieve this, the current status of the markets will be analysed to assess the possibility of incorporating industrial flexibility. Different revenue schemes will be considered to deploy industrial flexibility as a product in the market. The flexibility trade with the characteristics of flexibility from industrial processes will be analysed. The energy market status for both electricity and gas markets will be studied to evaluate the viability of electrification for specific cases and in regard to price growth of electricity and gas. The trade portfolio of an electrified industrial site will be provided with possibilities of energy market participation, flexibility services remuneration, and CO2 to capture revenues.

This PhD is part of an NWO project called “Flexibility in Electric Power from Steam-heated Industrial Processes” (FLEXPower). There are several partners involved in this project including a large distribution system operator, industrial partners, industrial flexibility technology providers, and an applied research institute. The PhD student will be involved in this project, will have the chance to participate in meetings, and have a close collaboration with industry. The study could also benefit from using real data from the industrial partners involved in the project.

PhD Position Haptics

Job description

The Haptic Interface Technology Lab (HITLab) is seeking an ambitious and motivated Ph.D. student to join our cutting-edge research on the syntesis of the multimodal tactile surface sensations!

In this role, you will:

1) design tactile signals with specific attributes,

2) conduct human-participant experiments to evaluate perceptual responses to the haptic feedback,

3) apply machine learning algorithms to analyze perceptual and physical data.

Beside you will develop your

a) writing and communication skills by publishing in journals and conferences,

b) presentation and networking skills by attending international conferences,

c) leadership skills by co-supervising B.Sc. and M.Sc. students for their projects and improving lab organization, and

d) teaching skills by actively contributing to courses as a teaching assistant.

The Haptic Interface Technology Lab (HITLab) is an interdisciplinary research group led by Dr. Yasemin Vardar at the Human-Robot Interaction Section of the Cognitive Robotics Department of the Delft University of Technology. Our overarching goal is to understand how tactile information translates into human perception and how this information can be effectively simulated in digital environments.

Our team benefits from the collaborative and interdisciplinary research environment of the Human-Robot Interaction (HRI) Section, creating versatile development opportunities. We have strong collaboration within and outside of the university.

For more information, you can see our website: https://www.hitlabtud.nl

Job requirements
We are looking for applications who have

• high motivation for working on an interdisciplinary research project
• MSc. degree* in a related subject (Electronics engineering, computer science, mechatronics engineering, or similar)
• interest in haptics
• interest in working in an international team
• dare to dream big and take initiative
• hunger for learning "new" things
• independent and critical attitude
• strong work ethic and scientific integrity.

Candidates who have experience in any of the following attributes

• signal processing
• mechatronic design
• data analysis with machine learning algorithms
• work with electromechanical hardware (e.g., sensors, actuators)

are specifically encouraged to apply.

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 Mechanical Engineering
From chip to ship. From machine to human being. From idea to solution. Driven by a deep-rooted desire to understand our environment and discover its underlying mechanisms, research and education at the ME faculty focusses on fundamental understanding, design, production including application and product improvement, materials, processes and (mechanical) systems.

ME is a dynamic and innovative faculty with high-tech lab facilities and international reach. It’s a large faculty but also versatile, so we can often make unique connections by combining different disciplines. This is reflected in ME’s outstanding, state-of-the-art education, which trains students to become responsible and socially engaged engineers and scientists. We translate our knowledge and insights into solutions to societal issues, contributing to a sustainable society and to the development of prosperity and well-being. That is what unites us in pioneering research, inspiring education and (inter)national cooperation.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering. Do you want to experience working at our faculty? These videos will introduce you to some of our researchers and their work.