Postdoctoral Researcher in AI Education Research

Delft University of Technology; Delft; On-site; EUR 41,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) invites applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher in AI Education Research within the IDEE initiative. The role focuses on how AI affects teaching and learning, developing frameworks, guidelines, and knowledge bases for educators across TU Delft.

You will engage with a multidisciplinary team, design studies in TU Delft classrooms, and publish peer-reviewed work on AI-guided learning. A PhD in a relevant field and strong research skills are required.

Qualifications

• PhD required in an education/learning/science field or related discipline.
• Strong background in education research and AI literacy.
• Experience with qualitative and quantitative research methods.

Responsibilities

• Engage with Teaching Academy and education staff to connect policies and guidelines to implementation approaches.
• Support researchers investigating the impact of AI on student learning.
• Review IDEE group results and provide concrete recommendations.

Skills

AI literacy

Education research

Qualitative & quantitative methods

Interdisciplinary collaboration

English communication

Education

PhD in Educational Science / Learning Sciences / Social & Behavioural Sciences / Engineering Education / HCI

Job description

As the AI technological landscape continuously inspires innovation, are you keen to uncover the student perspective, and the implications of AI for meaningful student learning?

Postdoctoral Researcher in AI Education Research

Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) is looking for a postdoctoral researcher within the TU Delft Teaching Academy Initiative on Innovation in Delft Engineering Education (IDEE).

• Salary range: €3706 - €5760
• FTE: 0.8-1.0

Job description

The position falls within the IDEE project “Teaching and Learning in the Age of AI”, focusing on how we, as a university of technology, can respond to the rise of AI in the learning process. What does AI mean for the way we teach and learn? How can meaningful learning be redefined in today’s AI-enabled educational landscape? The project has the following overarching goals: (1) develop a theoretical framework of constructive alignment for AI-rich teaching environments; (2) identify which patterns of student‑AI interactions influence the adoption of deep or surface approaches to learning; (3) create, implement and evaluate guidelines and knowledge base for teachers to design their courses so the use of AI contributes to meaningful learning; and (4) create an engaged community around teaching and learning in the age of AI.

For this post‑doc position you will build on two trajectories currently underway. The first is led by a PhD researcher who investigates educational practices that protect learning in the presence of increasingly powerful automation tools. The second, led by a postdoctoral researcher, develops a framework for redefining meaningful learning in the age of AI. Building on these, you will explore ways that AI guidelines are being integrated into TU Delft courses across the campus and study their impact on meaningful student learning. Your initial goal will be to engage with the educational community involved in the project. You will then compile results from experiments and initiatives happening across the university. This preliminary investigation will inform a study that you will design and implement in TU Delft classroom(s). Ultimately, you will produce recommendations for implementation of guidelines across a range of university disciplinary settings.

As a disciplinary expert and senior researcher you will have the opportunity to assist in advising a PhD project, and will facilitate collaboration with the project’s existing team: a second postdoctoral researcher, research assistants, an educational advisor, and an interfaculty team of researchers and educators. Thus, we are seeking a highly motivated, collaborative, and talented researcher, with a keen eye for strong research designs.

Your recommendations will be developed through inquiry of questions such as:

• How do guidelines translate to different teaching methods used across faculties? Examples include: lecture, workshop, studio, seminar, and online learning material.
• What are the respective learning objectives, and assessments used in different disciplines and how do these integrate AI guidelines?
• How do AI guidelines influence student learning and how should educators integrate AI guidelines into their course planning?
• What recommendations do you have for AI guidelines and policies that take into account student learning and diverging teaching methods for different disciplines?

As a postdoctoral researcher, you will:

• Engage with Teaching Academy and education staff across TU Delft faculties to connect policies and guidelines to implementation approaches.
• Support researchers experimenting with the impact of AI on student learning.
• Review results from multiple studies and research in the IDEE group, to provide concrete recommendations.

Envisioned outputs:

• Peer-reviewed publications on realised impacts of policy and guidelines in classroom settings across engineering disciplines.
• Recommendations for implementing guidelines for designing learning objectives, teaching activities, and assessments that prioritise student learning in the age of AI.

Job requirements

• You hold a PhD in Educational Science, Learning Sciences, Social and Behavioural Sciences, Engineering Education, Human-Computer Interaction or a related field.
• Your research background demonstrates a clear focus on education, learning or human behaviour.
• You have AI literacy and a strong interest in educational innovation, technology and AI.
• You are familiar with, or have an affinity for, design and/or engineering education research.
• You have experience with qualitative and quantitative research methods.
• You have a keen eye for robust research designs and enjoy conducting interdisciplinary research.
• You communicate clearly in English, both verbally and in writing.
• You work effectively both independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary environment.

TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)

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.

Faculty Architecture & the Built Environment

The Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment has a leading role in education and research worldwide. The driving force behind the faculty’s success is its robust research profile combined with the energy and creativity of its student body and academic community. It is buzzing with energy, with four thousand people enthusiastically studying, working, designing, conducting research and acquiring and disseminating knowledge. Our faculty has a strong focus on 'design-oriented research’, which has given it a top position in world rankings.

Staff and students are working to improve the built environment with the help of a broad set of disciplines, including architectural design, urban planning, building technology, social sciences, process management, and geo-information science. The faculty works closely with other faculties, universities, private parties, and the public sector, and has an extensive network in the Netherlands as well as internationally.

Conditions of employment

• Duration of contract is 2 years. Temporary.
• A job of 32-38 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.
• Flexible working week.
• 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 to make 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.

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.