Assistant Professor focusing on design processes, methods, and practices in relation to emerging technologies (e.g., AI).

Job description

In this role, the candidate will contribute to research and education on design processes, methods, and practices and how they evolve in relation to emerging technologies such as AI. Their work would investigate how designers generate, develop, and evaluate ideas and how these processes are reshaped in relation to the uncertainty and complexity resulting from emerging technologies. This position offers space for the candidate to articulate and advance their research along these lines.

The role is embedded in an interdisciplinary environment within the Industrial Design Engineering (IDE) faculty and across TU Delft. The candidate will collaborate with designers, engineers, economists, and social scientists, as well as external partners in industry, government, and civil society, to develop perspectives on design processes, methods, and practices. In doing so, the candidate’s research may engage with broader themes such as design cognition, creativity, design strategy, service design, and other related domains. IDE and the Design, Organization and Strategy (DOS) department value research that connects theoretical understanding with empirical and design-led inquiry, and that contributes both to academic debate, societal relevance and to the future of design practices.

In education, the candidate will contribute to Bachelor and Master programmes at IDE, particularly in courses related to design processes and practices, design methodologies, creativity, strategic design and service design. The candidate will supervise BSc and MSc projects and actively contribute to the development of designers as strategic, reflective, and creative actors, capable of engaging with socio-technical challenges.

Job requirements

The ideal candidate should have:

• A PhD in a design-related field. Candidates with backgrounds in engineering, psychology, human-computer interaction, or social sciences could also be considered as long as their work demonstrates engagement with design research, design practice, and design education.
• A strong research profile in design processes, design methods and methodology, and AI in design. Expertise in one or more of the following areas would be an asset: creativity, design cognition, strategic design, or service design. The research profile should be evidenced by publications in relevant peer-reviewed journals and conferences in design research.
• Ability to work across disciplinary boundaries and academic communities.
• Ability and willingness to engage with a variety of stakeholders, experts and non-experts, by translating research insights into actionable frameworks, strategies, or interventions to industry and societal partners.
• Ability to contribute to international design research communities and related scholarly networks.
• Teaching experience in higher education, particularly in project-based courses (e.g., design studios), and in areas such as design processes, design methods, design strategy, and/or service design. A university teaching qualification is considered an asset.
• Excellent command of English, both written and spoken. Proficiency in Dutch language is considered an asset. If you don’t speak Dutch, you should be willing to learn the language, as your home base at TU Delft is bilingual.
• Interests in contributing to research acquisition, program development, and academic service within the department. Experience in grant writing and grant acquisition is highly valued.

TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)

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

This position is offered as an Academic Career Track position (0.8 – 1.0 FTE). During the Academic Career Track, we expect you to grow towards an Associate Professor position within a maximum of eight years, for which a position will be available. With other Academic Career Track colleagues, you will participate in the Academic Career Track Development programme, where you are offered ample opportunities to develop yourself in the areas of Education, Research, Societal Impact & Innovation, and Leadership & Organisation. You will regularly discuss your development and results with senior staff based on a personalized development plan and performance criteria agreed upon at the start of your Academic Career Track. You will start with a temporary contract that will be converted to a permanent contract no later than 12 -18 months after a positive evaluation, based on continuous confidence in your development potential and fit in the organisation.

Inspiring, excellent education is our central aim. We expect you to obtain a University Teaching Qualification (UTQ) within three years if you have less than five years of teaching experience. This is provided by the TU Delft UTQ programme as part of the Academic Career Track Development programme.

TU Delft sets high standards for the English competency of the teaching staff. The TU Delft offers training to improve English competency. If you do not speak Dutch, we offer courses to learn the Dutch language within three years.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged and you can work partly from home.

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, provides information and personal one-on-one guidance to help you prepare your relocation, and to find housing and schools for children (if applicable). 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 information about the position, please contact Milene Gonçalves (m.guerreirogoncalves@tudelft.nl). For information about the application procedure, please contact: h.sosef-dehaan@tudelft.nl

Application procedure

Are you our new Assistant Professor in Innovation Management/Strategy for Transition? Please apply no later than 31 August 2026. Click the application button and upload your application material, including:

• A cover letter (please clearly indicate how your interest/experience is linked with and complement the aforementioned research areas and teaching activities),
• A detailed CV (including publication list, contributions to education and funding/valorization achievements),
• Research statement,
• Education statement,
• Other information that might be relevant to your application

Please note:

• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
• 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.