PhD in accelerating mission-oriented innovation

Introduction
Are you fascinated by the potential emerging technologies have to solve societal challenges? Are you frustrated by how long it takes for those promising technologies to be successfully commercialized, or how little societal impact they have at the end? Are you passionate about creating more time-efficient, and effective, innovation processes? If so, join us in our quest to support the achievement of societal missions. We offer a fully-funded, four-year PhD position focused on accelerating mission-oriented innovation while balancing innovation speed and societal outcomes.

Job Description
You will study how governments can accelerate the time-to-market of innovations while ensuring they are implemented responsibly to address urgent societal challenges, such as climate change. In the past decade, innovation policy has witnessed a shift toward large-scale ‘mission-oriented’ innovation policies, which imply the large mobilization of resources by governments to tackle these challenges. However, from a temporal perspective, mission-oriented policy is paradoxical. On the one hand, society needs solutions to be deployed urgently. On the other hand, mission-oriented innovation is highly complex, and rushing solutions may lead to counterproductive results and negative societal outcomes. The key problem is how to achieve the sweet spot between going too slow and too fast.

Your research will be driven by two research questions:

1. How is time currently spent in mission-oriented innovation activities?
2. How does public policy affect the time spent on mission-oriented innovation, and the societal outcomes?

To answer these questions, you will conduct a multiple case study, where you will study several R&D consortia over two years, which you will help optimize their innovation processes. You will use qualitative research techniques such as interviews, content analysis, and process modeling to map how R&D consortia spend their time, and why they cannot go faster. You will study how they interact with societal stakeholders, and how such interaction affects the outputs of their research. You will analyze a wide diversity of policies, including, but not limited to, funding schemes, and Dutch and European regulations in the areas of data privacy, health and safety, or employment. You will focus on the effect of those policies on innovation speed. In addition, you will organize several multistakeholder meetings, with public and private organizations, to discuss the results of your research, and possible alternatives to optimize existing policies. The output of your research will be used by a teammate to create a simulation model to optimize future innovation policy mixes.

As the selected PhD candidate, you will benefit from our outstanding academic development and collaborative work environment, as well as our strong ties to actors in industry and policymaking in the Netherlands and Europe. You will also receive support in the form of courses and on-the-job training to develop yourself into an independent academic researcher. In this way, you will be able to conduct high-quality research while ensuring the practical relevance of your work. You will also have the opportunity to interact closely with researchers in our department specializing in various aspects of innovation policy, design science, and open innovation.

The Industrial Engineering & Innovation Sciences (IE&IS) department combines disciplinary knowledge from the humanities, social sciences and technical sciences to solve the complex problems of industries and society. We collaboratively focus on and create responsible and effective innovations for the research themes: Humans and Technology, Supply Chain Management, Sustainability and Circularity, and Value of Data-Driven Intelligence.

Job Requirements

• A master’s degree (or an equivalent university degree) in Engineering Management, Innovation Management, Public Policy, Business Administration, or related disciplines. Candidates who are still in their master studies, and expect to obtain their degree by summer 2026 are also encouraged to apply.
• Proactivity and collaborative spirit are essential traits
• A research-oriented attitude and an inquisitive mind
• Ability to work in an interdisciplinary team and interested in collaborating with partners from industry and the public sector.
• Motivation to develop your teaching skills and coach students.
• Willingness to travel (nationally) to collect data at several locations
• Fluent in spoken and written English (C1 level).
• Fluency in spoken Dutch (B2 level) is desirable.
• Experience with qualitative research methods is desirable.

The starting date is by agreement, not earlier than March 1st, 2026, and ideally not later than July 1st, 2026.

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.
• 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
Eindhoven University of Technology is a leading international university within the Brainport region 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.

Information
Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more? Please contact the hiring manager Jaime Bonnín Roca (j.bonnin.roca@tue.nl).

Visit our website for more information about the application process or the conditions of employment. You can also contact HRServices.ieis@tue.nl.

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.

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 accelerating mission-oriented innovation

You will study how governments can accelerate the time-to-market of innovations while ensuring they are implemented responsibly to address urgent societal challenges, such as climate change. In the past decade, innovation policy has witnessed a shift toward large-scale ‘mission-oriented’ innovation policies, which imply the large mobilization of resources by governments to tackle these challenges. However, from a temporal perspective, mission-oriented policy is paradoxical. On the one hand, society needs solutions to be deployed urgently. On the other hand, mission-oriented innovation is highly complex, and rushing solutions may lead to counterproductive results and negative societal outcomes. The key problem is how to achieve the sweet spot between going too slow and too fast.

Your research will be driven by two research questions:

1. How is time currently spent in mission-oriented innovation activities?
2. How does public policy affect the time spent on mission-oriented innovation, and the societal outcomes?

To answer these questions, you will conduct a multiple case study, where you will study several R&D consortia over two years, which you will help optimize their innovation processes. You will use qualitative research techniques such as interviews, content analysis, and process modeling to map how R&D consortia spend their time, and why they cannot go faster. You will study how they interact with societal stakeholders, and how such interaction affects the outputs of their research. You will analyze a wide diversity of policies, including, but not limited to, funding schemes, and Dutch and European regulations in the areas of data privacy, health and safety, or employment. You will focus on the effect of those policies on innovation speed. In addition, you will organize several multistakeholder meetings, with public and private organizations, to discuss the results of your research, and possible alternatives to optimize existing policies. The output of your research will be used by a teammate to create a simulation model to optimize future innovation policy mixes.

As the selected PhD candidate, you will benefit from our outstanding academic development and collaborative work environment, as well as our strong ties to actors in industry and policymaking in the Netherlands and Europe. You will also receive support in the form of courses and on-the-job training to develop yourself into an independent academic researcher. In this way, you will be able to conduct high-quality research while ensuring the practical relevance of your work. You will also have the opportunity to interact closely with researchers in our department specializing in various aspects of innovation policy, design science, and open innovation.

The Industrial Engineering & Innovation Sciences (IE&IS) department combines disciplinary knowledge from the humanities, social sciences and technical sciences to solve the complex problems of industries and society. We collaboratively focus on and create responsible and effective innovations for the research themes: Humans and Technology, Supply Chain Management, Sustainability and Circularity, and Value of Data-Driven Intelligence.

Technician on Vacuum and Physical Vapor Deposition Technologies

Introduction
Do you enjoy working with advanced vacuum and PVD systems? Would you like to develop cutting-edge thin-film methods and automation for next-generation solar energy materials? Join us to take thin-film PV technology to the next level in a vibrant academic environment.

Job Description
The Molecular Materials and Nanosystems (M2N) group, specializing in unconventional semiconductors and devices, is seeking an experienced and detail-oriented laboratory technician with expertise in vacuum systems and Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) for advanced materials research, particularly in thin-film photovoltaics.

The ideal candidate is skilled in designing, operating, maintaining, and optimizing thin-film deposition equipment used in academic research settings. Industrial experience and proficiency in software for automation and system control (e.g., Python, LabView) are highly valued.

As a technician you work closely with principal investigators, researchers, PhD, and master’s students, fostering a collaborative and innovative laboratory environment. Strong team spirit, communication skills, and openness to idea exchange are essential, as the role contributes directly to advancing thin-film methods and automation processes for solar cell materials development.

The activities of the research group are organized around two core lines: Materials Discovery, Design, and Synthesis, and Device Physics and Performance. The successful candidate will support and complement a diverse research team to ensure the smooth operation of the laboratory, promotes a collaborative atmosphere, and contributes to state-of-the-art developments in vacuum technologies for thin-film materials in optoelectronics and photovoltaics. In addition to technical excellence, you will ensure and promote best laboratory safety practices and actively participate in the dynamic, interdisciplinary environment of the M2N group.

Key responsibilities include:

• Vacuum systems operation and maintenance, including troubleshooting of vacuum pumps (rotary vane, turbomolecular, cryogenic) and pressure gauges (Pirani, Penning, capacitance).
• Leak detection and implementation of vacuum safety procedures and user training for research staff and students.
• Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) processes, including DC/RF magnetron sputtering, pulsed laser deposition (PLD), thermal, and e-beam evaporation systems.
• System maintenance and development, support for system upgrades, e.g., new sources, shutters, gas lines, or automation features.
• Collaboration with researchers to develop new deposition recipes or integrate advanced process control (e.g., in-situ measurements).
• System design, including use of software like SolidWorks, LabView, PLC interfaces, or custom software for process automation. Expertise with tools, such as quartz crystal monitors, mass flow controllers, RGA (residual gas analyzers) is considered an additional advantage.

Job Requirements

• Technical diploma (HBO) or bachelor’s degree in Physics, Materials Science, Electrical/Mechanical Engineering, or related field.
• 3–5 years of hands-on experience in a university or research institute environment with vacuum thin film deposition systems and their respective software. Experience in designing deposition systems is a plus.
• Proactive in problem-solving, maintenance scheduling, and process improvement.
• Effective communicator and team player, comfortable collaborating with multidisciplinary research teams.
• Meticulous and reliable, with strong attention to detail and documentation practices.
• Proactive in problem-solving, maintenance scheduling, and process improvement.
• Enthusiastic about supporting academic research and training the next generation of experimental scientists.
• Proficiency in English.

If you are concerned that you don’t meet all the requirements sufficiently, but the job does excite you, then be sure to respond, we would love to look at your profile.

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:

• A monthly salary of minimum €3.382,- to maximum €5.057,- for full-time employment, depending on your knowledge and experience (scale 8 or scale 9 in accordance with the 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.
• 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.

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

Information
Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to have more information about the position, please contact the hiring manager: Prof. Monica Morales-Masis, m.morales.masis@tue.nl.

For questions about the application process or the conditions of employment, please contact Marloes Thoolen (HR Advisor), m.thoolen@tue.nl or +31 40 247 3931.

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 to send us your CV and letter of application with your motivation and a description of your qualifications. We look forward to your application. The closing date for applications is December 31st, 2025.

The timeline for the selection process is as follows:

• December 31st: Application deadline.
• January 1-8 : Reviewing applications / candidate selection.
• January 8-20: Interviews

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.

Technician on Vacuum and Physical Vapor Deposition Technologies

The Molecular Materials and Nanosystems (M2N) group, specializing in unconventional semiconductors and devices, is seeking an experienced and detail-oriented laboratory technician with expertise in vacuum systems and Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) for advanced materials research, particularly in thin-film photovoltaics.

The ideal candidate is skilled in designing, operating, maintaining, and optimizing thin-film deposition equipment used in academic research settings. Industrial experience and proficiency in software for automation and system control (e.g., Python, LabView) are highly valued.

As a technician you work closely with principal investigators, researchers, PhD, and master’s students, fostering a collaborative and innovative laboratory environment. Strong team spirit, communication skills, and openness to idea exchange are essential, as the role contributes directly to advancing thin-film methods and automation processes for solar cell materials development.

The activities of the research group are organized around two core lines: Materials Discovery, Design, and Synthesis, and Device Physics and Performance. The successful candidate will support and complement a diverse research team to ensure the smooth operation of the laboratory, promotes a collaborative atmosphere, and contributes to state-of-the-art developments in vacuum technologies for thin-film materials in optoelectronics and photovoltaics. In addition to technical excellence, you will ensure and promote best laboratory safety practices and actively participate in the dynamic, interdisciplinary environment of the M2N group.

Key responsibilities include:

• Vacuum systems operation and maintenance, including troubleshooting of vacuum pumps (rotary vane, turbomolecular, cryogenic) and pressure gauges (Pirani, Penning, capacitance).
• Leak detection and implementation of vacuum safety procedures and user training for research staff and students.
• Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) processes, including DC/RF magnetron sputtering, pulsed laser deposition (PLD), thermal, and e-beam evaporation systems.
• System maintenance and development, support for system upgrades, e.g., new sources, shutters, gas lines, or automation features.
• Collaboration with researchers to develop new deposition recipes or integrate advanced process control (e.g., in-situ measurements).
• System design, including use of software like SolidWorks, LabView, PLC interfaces, or custom software for process automation. Expertise with tools, such as quartz crystal monitors, mass flow controllers, RGA (residual gas analyzers) is considered an additional advantage.

Secretaresse 0.6 fte

Introductie
Ben jij een energieke, zelfstandige en proactieve secretaresse die het werk ziet, oppakt en regelt voordat iemand het vraagt? Dan zijn wij van de dienst Finance & Control (F&C) van de Technische Universiteit Eindhoven (TU/e) op zoek naar jou!

Functieomschrijving
De TU/e Campus is een bruisende en innovatieve hotspot in het hart van de Brainport Regio Eindhoven, dé plek waar studenten, onderzoekers, ondernemers en hightechbedrijven samenwerken aan oplossingen voor de maatschappelijke uitdagingen van morgen. Binnen deze dynamische omgeving levert de dienst Finance & Control een essentiële bijdrage aan goed bestuur, betrouwbare informatievoorziening en financiële dienstverlening van topkwaliteit.

Als secretaresse ben jij een spil van onze organisatie. Je ondersteunt de directeur en het managementteam (MT) met agendabeheer, communicatie en organisatie. Je regelt bijeenkomsten tot in de puntjes, bewaakt actiepunten en zorgt dat alles soepel verloopt. Je bent het eerste aanspreekpunt voor collega’s, externe relaties en het College van Bestuur. Daarnaast ondersteun je bij onder andere HR-processen, financiële administratie en interne communicatie. Jij overziet wat er speelt, denkt vooruit en neemt initiatief zonder dat iemand het hoeft te vragen.

Taken en verantwoordelijkheden

• Beheren en prioriteren van de agenda van de directeur en MT-leden, inclusief afstemming met interne en externe partijen.
• Organiseren van vergaderingen, sollicitatiegesprekken en bijeenkomsten, inclusief voorbereiding, verslaglegging en opvolging.
• Ondersteunen bij HR-processen zoals in-, door- en uitstroom van medewerkers en administratieve procedures.
• Verwerken van financiële taken zoals het aanmaken van purchase orders en het goedkeuren van facturen.
• Coördineren van interne communicatie via intranet, Teams en nieuwsbrieven.

Functie-eisen
Je hebt een secretariële opleiding op MBO+ niveau afgerond. Je hebt ruime ervaring in een ondersteunende functie binnen een complexe organisatie. Je bent proactief, zelfstandig en oplossingsgericht: jij regelt het gewoon. Je werkt gestructureerd, behoudt overzicht en schakelt soepel tussen taken en prioriteiten. Je communiceert helder, bent klantgericht en beheerst zowel Nederlands als Engels uitstekend, met een sterke beheersing van MS Office.

Arbeidsvoorwaarden
Een boeiende positie binnen een internationale en tegelijkertijd persoonlijke universiteit. Je zit midden tussen de studenten, op een groene campus op loopafstand van het centraal station. Daarnaast bieden we jou:

• Een aanstelling van in principe 0,6 fte (werkdagen: maandag, dinsdag en donderdag)
• Bij de start betreft het een tijdelijk contract voor de periode van één jaar, met uitzicht op een dienstverband voor onbepaalde tijd meteen daaropvolgend.
• Een maandsalaris van minimaal € 3.057,- tot maximaal € 3.985,- bij een fulltime dienstverband, afhankelijk van jouw kennis en ervaring (schaal 7 cao Nederlandse Universiteiten).
• Naast vakantiegeld, een structurele eindejaarsuitkering van 8,3%.
• Een gunstige regeling voor extra verlofdagen of een sabbatical.
• Een keuzemodel voor extra secundaire arbeidsvoorwaarden.
• Ruimte voor jouw talent met doorgroeikansen en uitstekende ontwikkelmogelijkheden, zoals mentoring, workshops en coaching.
• Deels betaald ouderschapsverlof en een vergoeding voor reiskosten woon-werkverkeer, thuiswerken en internet. De TU/e ondersteunt hybride werken; met het oog hierop wordt er een thuiswerkvergoeding van € 2,- per thuiswerkdag gegeven en een internetvergoeding van € 25,- per maand.
• Een ruime werkgeversbijdrage aan de gunstige ABP-pensioenregeling.

Hier ontdek je nog meer informatie over onze arbeidsvoorwaarden. Bouw verder aan je carrière bij de TU/e!

Informatie
Herken jij jezelf in dit profiel en wil je meer informatie over de functie? Neem dan contact op met de vacaturehouder: …

Voor vragen over het sollicitatieproces of de arbeidsvoorwaarden, neem contact op met …

Nieuwsgierig geworden? Op www.tue.nl/jobs vind je meer over werken bij de TU/e.

Sollicitatie
Ben je geïnteresseerd? Via de solliciteerknop ontvangen we graag je CV en brief met motivatie en omschrijving van je kwalificaties.

De screening van kandidaten begint zodra de sollicitaties zijn ontvangen en gaat door totdat de vacature is ingevuld. Indien van toepassing, krijgen interne kandidaten bij gelijke geschiktheid voorrang op externe kandidaten.

We kijken uit naar je sollicitatie!

Let op

• Je kunt online solliciteren. Sollicitaties die per e-mail en/of post worden verstuurd, worden niet in behandeling genomen.
• Een voorafgaande screening (bijvoorbeeld een Verklaring omtrent Gedrag of kennisveiligheidscheck) kan onderdeel zijn van de selectieprocedure. Voor meer informatie over de kennisveiligheidscheck, raadpleeg de Nationale Richtlijnen Kennisveiligheid.
• Wij verzoeken je geen contact met ons op te nemen voor ongevraagde diensten.