The challenge

We investigate the composition and behaviour of complex (higher) educational systems. By explaining and modelling such systems, we strive to promote a balanced improvement between the systems’ education and research outputs.

This 2-year postdoctoral position is part of the NPULS-CTL project, which has the objective of improving the University of Twente’s Centre of Expertise in Learning and Teaching (UT-CELT). The project involves academic and support staff from several departments at the UT.

You will perform research to support four project work packages (WP), which include the definition of flexible trajectories for teacher professionalization, teacher communities, educational innovation communities, and the collection and dissemination of evidence from educational interventions.

In the flexible teacher professionalization WP, you will work on crafting a modular architecture of educational course content that allows the higher education teachers to define their own learning trajectories according to their individual needs. The teacher professionalization aims at promoting the development of teachers and other educational staff.

During the educational innovation communities WP, some of the questions your research must answer include how to form self-sustaining communities that promote knowledge/evidence capturing, knowledge sharing and knowledge creation. For answering these questions you will be required to approach education as a system.

You will work in a multidisciplinary team to achieve research goals and publish research findings in reputable journals and present at conferences.

You will support the N-PULS CTL project manager during the coordination of the coherence and synchronization of the project work from the different work packages. You will also participate in internal and external NPULS meetings.

• We are looking for an enthusiastic, professional, and ambitious colleague.
• You have a Ph.D. in educational science, organizational science, or related fields.
• You have a strong and demonstrable background in Research in Higher Education.
• Experience with approaching education as a system.
• Experience in organizational systems modelling.
• Experience in coordinating or working in multidisciplinary research groups.
• Experience in higher education.
• Proven track record of publishing in peer-reviewed and reputable academic journals, presentations in international scientific conferences, and other academic activities.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
• You have English C1 or higher.
• You have Dutch B2 or higher.

• An inspiring, multidisciplinary, inclusive and challenging international academic environment.
• The university offers a fun and dynamic environment with enthusiastic colleagues where cooperation with other researchers is stimulated.
• A full-time postdoctoral position for 2 years.
• Your salary and associated conditions are in accordance with the collective labour agreement for Dutch universities (CAO-NU).
• You will receive a gross monthly salary ranging from € 4.020,- and € 5.278,- per month (depending on experience and qualifications)
• There are excellent benefits including a holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary, an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%, and a solid pension scheme.
• A minimum of 232 leave hours in case of full-time employment based on a formal workweek of 38 hours. A full-time employment in practice means 40 hours a week, therefore resulting in 96 extra leave hours on an annual basis.
• Free access to sports facilities on campus.
• A family-friendly institution that offers parental leave (both paid and unpaid).
• Excellent career support and courses for your professional and personal development.

The Systems Engineering and Multidisciplinary group (SEMD) investigates designing in the field of multidisciplinary systems and research the role of Systems Engineering (SE) as an integrative discipline next to the traditional engineering fields. We apply systems thinking and system design tools, in a systematic way, to facilitate multidisciplinary development projects