Postdoc IDEE Progression and Retention

Delft University of Technology via AcademicTransfer; Netherlands; On-site; EUR 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Excellent pension ABP

232 annual leave hours (flexible)

Education and training opportunities

Partially paid parental leave

Health insurance discounts

Job summary

Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) is seeking a postdoctoral researcher to contribute to the IDEE initiative, advancing progression and retention in engineering education. You will work in a multidisciplinary team, designing and evaluating curricula and interventions across multiple programs.

The role involves conceptualizing progression, identifying influencing factors, and developing evidence-based guidelines with empirical testing, within the Teaching Academy and IDEE framework at TU

Qualifications

• PhD in social sciences such as Educational Studies or Cognitive Psychology with interest in engineering and engineering education.
• PhD in science/engineering with interest in education and educational research.
• Familiar with the higher educational system, especially at a university context.
• Committed to action research and applying mixed methods in educational practices.
• Able to organize research work in consultation with a multidisciplinary team and interact with diverse stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Continuing conceptualizing progression and retention of knowledge and skills in practical engineering education settings.
• Identify factors that impact progression and retention.
• Investigate curricula across TU Delft programmes.
• Develop evidence-based practical guidelines for curriculum design promoting progression and retention.
• Empirically test curriculum guidelines and interventions for increased progression across programs at TU Delft.

Skills

Action research

Mixed methods

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Stakeholder interaction

Education

PhD in Educational Studies or Cognitive Psychology

PhD in science or engineering with interest in education

Job description

Delft University of Technology (TU Delft)

Organisation/Company Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) Research Field Educational sciences » Education Educational sciences » Learning studies Psychological sciences » Cognitive science Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Application Deadline 8 Nov 2026 - 22:59 (UTC) Country Netherlands Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Not Applicable Hours Per Week 40.0 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

Come and innovate TU Delft education with your postdoctoral research.
Job description
TU Delft engineers are expected to contribute to complex practical challenges by designing and investigating cutting‑edge solutions to real‑life problems.
Educating this next generation of engineers requires not only teaching specific knowledge and skills from individual courses but also integrating these contents into a coherent curriculum that reflects the retention and progression of students' knowledge and skills. In the end, various aspects of teaching at TU Delft can and must be designed, implemented, evaluated, and optimized for a seamless continuum of education. The Teaching Academy of the TU Delft has identified this integration, engineering students’ progression and retention of knowledge & skills, as one of the themes in the “Initiative on Innovation in Delft Engineering Education” (IDEE).
The goal of this project is to explore how that seamless integration can be achieved. As a postdoctoral researcher, you will contribute to: 1. Continuing conceptualizing the notion of ‘progression and retention’ of knowledge and skills in practical engineering education settings. 2. Identifying factors that impact progression and retention. 3. Investigating intended, enacted and experienced curricula across several educational programmes at TU Delft. 4. Developing evidence‑based practical guidelines for curriculum design that promotes student progression and retention in engineering education. 5. Empirically test curriculum guidelines and course interventions for increased progression across different programs of TU Delft.
You will work in a multidisciplinary team of TU Delft staff members and a PhD student in four work packages within the ‘Progression and Retention’ theme.
Job requirements
We are looking for a motivated candidate who:

• has obtained a PhD degree, either in one of the social sciences such as Educational Studies or Cognitive Psychology and a strong interest in engineering and engineering education, or, conversely, a PhD degree in science or engineering and a strong interest in education and educational research
• is acquainted with the higher educational system, especially in a university context
• is committed to doing action research and applying mixed methods in various educational practices
• possesses skills to organize the research work in consultation with a multidisciplinary team and to interact with multiple stakeholders with diverse interests and values.

TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)
Working at TU Delft means contributing to solutions that really make a difference.
For over 180 years, we have been training engineers who make an impact worldwide in companies, government bodies, or as entrepreneurs. Our alumni turn knowledge into concrete solutions for the challenges of today and tomorrow.
These challenges are changing rapidly. That is why we focus on themes such as energy, climate, digitalisation, artificial intelligence (AI), and smart mobility every day. Our education and research are directly aligned with what society needs now and in the future.
At TU Delft, our people make the difference. With their knowledge and curiosity, our staff provide a high‑quality education and conduct pioneering research that extends beyond the campus. You will have the opportunity to take the initiative, work with others, and grow as a professional.
Working at TU Delft means join an international community of professionals and students. Together, we create knowledge, innovations, and solutions that help move the world forward.
Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science
The Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EEMCS) brings together three scientific disciplines. Combined, they reinforce each other and are the driving force behind the technology we all use in our daily lives. Technology such as the electricity grid, which our faculty is helping to make completely sustainable and future‑proof. At the same time, we are developing the chips and sensors of the future, whilst also setting the foundations for the software technologies to run on this new generation of equipment – which of course includes AI. Meanwhile we are pushing the limits of applied mathematics, for example mapping out disease processes using single cell data, and using mathematics to simulate gigantic ash plumes after a volcanic eruption. In other words: there is plenty of room at the faculty for ground‑breaking research. We educate innovative engineers and have excellent labs and facilities that underline our strong international position. In total, more than 1000 employees and 4,000 students work and study in this innovative environment.
Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science.
Conditions of employment

• Duration of contract is 1 year with prospect of another year.
• A job of 36-40 hours per week.
• Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities.
• An excellent pension scheme via the ABP.
• The possibility to compile an individual employment package every year.
• Discount with health insurers on supplemental packages.
• Every year, 232 leave hours (at 38 hours). You can also sell or buy additional leave hours via the individual choice budget.
• Plenty of opportunities for education, training and courses.
• Partially paid parental leave
• Attention for working healthy and energetically with the vitality program.

Will you need to relocate to the Netherlands for this job? TU Delft is committed with making your move as smooth as possible! The HR unit, Coming to Delft Service , offers information on their website to help you prepare your relocation. In addition, Coming to Delft Service organises events to help you settle in the Netherlands, and expand your (social) network in Delft. A Dual Career Programme is available, to support your accompanying partner with their job search in the Netherlands.
Aside from the faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EEMCS), the chosen candidate will work as a member of the Initiative on Innovation in Delft Engineering Education (IDEE). IDEE is a cross‑faculty program for innovations and research in engineering education for degree programs at TU Delft. This PD project is one of the research projects within IDEE at TU Delft. The candidate will work in close vicinity of the other IDEE PhD and PD candidates, supported by Scientific Expert and the TU Delft Teaching Academy. ( www.tudelft.nl/idee ). The Teaching Academy is the network for and by lecturers of TU Delft with the mission to collaboratively enhance engineering education and drive education innovations across faculty boundaries. Learn more about the Teaching Academy via https://www.tudelft.nl/teachingacademy

Additional information
If you would like more information about this vacancy or the selection procedure, please contact dr. Martin Skrodzki, via [e-mail] .

Please note:

• As part of knowledge security, TU Delft conducts a risk assessment during the recruitment of personnel. We do this, among other things, to prevent the unwanted transfer of sensitive knowledge and technology. The assessment is based on information provided by the candidates themselves, such as their motivation letter and CV, and takes place at the final stages of the selection process. When the outcome of the assessment is negative, the candidate will be informed. The processing of personal data in the context of the risk assessment is carried out on the legal basis of the GDPR: performing a public task in the public interest. You can find more information about this assessment on our website about knowledge security.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.