Shape the future of robotics! TU Delft is looking for a postdoc to develop a design framework with guidelines, competences, and tools that will help robots integrate into professional work settings.

Job description

Robotic systems are rapidly moving out of controlled laboratories and industrial settings and into dynamic, socially complex professional environments. To be widely adopted, they must evolve from stand-alone technologies into integrated product–service systems—reliable, usable, maintainable, and approachable for non-expert professionals.

This postdoc position is part of a project that aims to develop a design framework for robots as commodities. Together with academic researchers, design agencies, and industry partners, you will work on translating state-of-the-art Human–Robot Interaction (HRI) knowledge into actionable design guidelines, competences, and tools for the creative industry.

Your responsibilities will include:

Conducting industry consultations, ethnographic fieldwork, and design research to map the current landscape of robotics design practices and challenges.
Leading hands-on case studies (with a strong focus on agritech, in collaboration with industry partner Lely) to explore and refine design methodologies.
Developing and prototyping design tools to support creative professionals across the design process from ideation to user testing.
Synthesising results into a coherent design framework, and disseminating outcomes through publications, workshops, and industry events.

You will be embedded in the Department of Industrial Design at TU Delft, a world leader in design research, and work closely with partners in both academia and industry. This position provides a unique opportunity to contribute to socially relevant, interdisciplinary research while shaping the future of robotics design in the Netherlands and beyond.

Job requirements

We are looking for an ambitious, independent, and collaborative postdoctoral researcher with:

A PhD in Industrial Design, Human–Robot Interaction, Human–Computer Interaction, Design Research, or a closely related field (either completed or a defence date has been set).
A strong research track record, demonstrated through publications, design projects, or equivalent outputs.
Proven experience with qualitative and/or practice-based research methods (e.g., ethnography, co-design, participatory design, field studies).
Affinity with robotics, HRI, or interactive technology design, and willingness to engage with technical as well as social aspects of robotic systems.
Excellent communication skills, both written and spoken, in English; ability to collaborate across academic, industrial, and creative partners. Proficiency in Dutch is a welcome bonus.
A proactive and open mindset, with the ability to connect diverse stakeholders and translate research into actionable frameworks.

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.

Conditions of employment

Duration of contract is 14 months. Temporary
A job of 26,6-28 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.

Additional information

For more information about this vacancy, please contact Dr. ing. Marco Rozendaal (m.c.rozendaal@tudelft.nl) or Dr. Ir. Nazli Cila (n.cila@tudelft.nl)

Application procedure

Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 19 September 2025 via the application button and upload the following documents:

CV
Motivational letter

You can address your application to Marco Rozendaal.

Please note that the interview are plannend to be held in two rounds. the first round of interviews will be held online on Wednessday 24th of September between 09:00-12:00 CET. The second rounds of interview are held on Tuesday the 30th of September between 09:00-12:00 CET

Please note:

You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
A pre-employment screening can be part of the selection procedure.
For the final candidates, a knowledge security check will be part of the application procedure. For more information on this check, please consult Chapter 8 of the National Knowledge Security Guidelines. We carry out this check on the basis of legitimate interest.
Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.

Apply now

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Work in Rotterdam – The Hague is collaborative effort between public entities, focused on facilitating the contact between companies with open positions located in our region and qualified international professionals. Our mission is to attract top talent to the Greater Rotterdam – The Hague area in the Netherlands and work together on creating a better, greener, smarter, cleaner and healthier world.