Postdoc Design for Communities of Care

Can Communities of Care provide an answer for the pressing societal demand leading to a societal health infarct? Do you like to explore design as an act of Care?

We offer a 2-year postdoc position to perform research and develop grant applications on the topic of Communities of Care. As a postdoctoral researcher, you will play a pivotal role in advancing our research agenda. Healthcare is facing enormous challenges. Initiating and reinforcing care for each other seems to be a promising pathway to explore. There might be advantages, such as more social connectedness and lower demand for professional care, but also disadvantages, some people might be unable and/or unwilling to care for others which might increase health disparities or lead to asking for professional care too late. 

The Human-Centered Design Department is a sweet spot with ongoing research and education projects demonstrating the role of design for a Healthier Society. You will closely collaborate with the teams of Valentijn Visch (Design for Health Motivation) and Ingrid Mulder (Design for Social Transformations) and will get access to a large societal stakeholder network.

The postdoctoral researcher will help organize workshops and other activities to foster research collaborations, map the expertise and interests of the HCD researchers, and explore research, network and funding opportunities. This will lead to at least two first-author publications: one literature review paper defining and positioning the theme of Design for Communities of Care and one on the design methodology. Next to this, you will co-lead the development of (inter-) national grant applications (e.g., NWO, Horizon). 

• PhD in a topic related discipline and expertise in community design, learning communities, social design, designing networks, relational design, value-based design, design for trust, cocreation, participatory action research, qualitative analysis, community learnings, and social-, mental-, and positive health.
• Excellent writing skills, communication and organization skills.
• Ability to work independently as well as part of a team.
• Language Proficiency minimal B2 in English.
• Experience with proposal writing is a pre.
• Speaking fluent Dutch is a pre.

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! 
 

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. 

• Duration of contract is 2 years.
• A job of 32-40 hours per week. 

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. 

, 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 is available, to support your accompanying partner with their job search in the Netherlands.  . 

Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 7 April 2025 via the application button and upload the following documents:

• CV, including publications
• Motivational letter, including 2 references

Please note:

• 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.