PhD Position IDEE The Transition from Secondary Education to Higher Education

Come and innovate TU Delft education with your PhD research on the transition from secondary school to university engineering education

At the TU Delft, the next generation of engineers experiences a significant change as they move from secondary to higher education. In addition to obtaining technical knowledge, a smooth transition is crucial for student success. The TU Delft Teaching Academy has recognized student transition as a key theme within the Initiative on Innovation in Delft Engineering Education (IDEE).

But how do we define a good transition and student success? We believe key factors include study progress, well-being, and competency development; yet these factors are often tackled separately. This project seeks to identify factors that contribute to a successful transition and explore evidence-based practices that support it.

As a PhD researcher, you will focus on one or more of the following tasks:

1. Identifying factors influencing student success: Gather current knowledge on the factors influencing study progress, competency levels and student well-being and their mutual dependency on student transition to higher engineering education.

2. Definition of the analysis framework: Development of a framework - such as suggested above - based on study progress, competency levels and well-being, to assist analysis and comparison of the impact of interventions on the transition into engineering education.

3. Participate in the design of educational interventions to improve the transition.

You will collaborate with TU Delft staff and a Postdoctoral researcher as part of the IDEE 'Transition' research team.

We are looking for a motivated candidate who:

• Has obtained a MSc. Degree, either in one of the related social sciences such as Educational Studies or Cognitive Psychology, with a strong interest in engineering and engineering education, or an engineering background with a strong interest in educational studies, psychology and education.
• Possesses skills to organize the research work in consultation with a multidisciplinary team and to handle possible ambiguities, inconsistencies, and uncertainties that come when interacting with multiple stakeholders with different interests and values.
• Acquaintance with the Dutch secondary and/or higher educational system, especially in a university context is a plus.

The chosen candidate will work as a member of the Initiative on Innovation in Delft Engineering Education (IDEE) (www.tudelft.nl/idee).  IDEE is a cross-faculty program for innovations and research in engineering education for degree programs at TU Delft. This PhD project is one of the research projects within IDEE at TU Delft and the candidate will work in close vicinity of the other IDEE PhD candidates and PDs, supported by Scientific Experts and the TU Delft Teaching Academy. 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. As the TU Delft does not have a dedicated department for education research, placement is within the faculty of Mechanical Engineering (ME).

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! 

From chip to ship. From machine to human being. From idea to solution. Driven by a deep-rooted desire to understand our environment and discover its underlying mechanisms, research and education at the ME faculty focusses on fundamental understanding, design, production including application and product improvement, materials, processes and (mechanical) systems. 

ME is a dynamic and innovative faculty with high-tech lab facilities and international reach. It's a large faculty but also versatile, so we can often make unique connections by combining different disciplines. This is reflected in ME's outstanding, state-of-the-art education, which trains students to become responsible and socially engaged engineers and scientists. We translate our knowledge and insights into solutions to societal issues, contributing to a sustainable society and to the development of prosperity and well-being. That is what unites us in pioneering research, inspiring education and (inter)national cooperation. 

 to go to the website of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering. Do you want to experience working at our faculty? These videos will introduce you to some of our researchers and their work.

Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1,5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months. Followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2,5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met. 

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from € 2872 per month in the first year to € 3670 in the fourth year. As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills. 

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 Dual Career Programme 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 4 May 2025 via the application button and upload the following documents:

• CV.
• Cover letter.

Doing a PhD at TU Delft requires English proficiency at a certain level to ensure that the candidate is able to communicate and interact well, participate in English-taught Doctoral Education courses, and write scientific articles and a final thesis. For more details please check the Graduate Schools Admission Requirements. 

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.