Assistant Professor Design Aesthetics for Intelligent Interactive Systems

Functieomschrijving

The Department of Industrial Design (ID) is one of the nine departments of TU/e and has an internationally leading position because of its core commitment to research through design (RtD) and its strikingly original conceptual work. ID’s ambition is to be recognized as one of the top departments in the world that conduct exciting research in the intersection of Design, Technology, Human-Computer Interaction, and Social Sciences and Humanities. In particular, the department aims to inspire and educate a new generation of design engineers who can contribute with their novel designs, their fluency in AI/ML algorithms and data, and their academic critical questioning, to the imminent and complex societal challenges our world is facing nowadays.

The ID education program is competence-centered, self-directed and challenged-based. ID focuses on educating students to design through five different perspectives (called Expertise Areas), through core courses and electives:

• Math, data and computing.
• User and society.
• Technology and realization.
• Business and entrepreneurship.
• Creativity and aesthetics.

Students also learn to make connections between the different perspectives within project groups called squads. In addition, the ID education curriculum encourages and empowers students to take the ownership of their personal and professional development. Supported by their academic coaches, through ID curriculum and their personal, industrial and research projects, students develop a unique competence of designing and related design approaches individually. Next to self-directed learning and competence development, the educational model of ID is challenge-based. ID students work together on challenging and authentic projects in which multiple perspectives or disciplines are incorporated to solve the challenge (for example by working within interdisciplinary groups) using an entrepreneurial mindset.

At the Industrial Design department we have two research groups: Systemic Change and Future Everyday.

Job description

The department of industrial design seeks candidates for an assistant professor position with a curiosity and drive to combine design, technology, and aesthetics. The focus of this position is to co-develop a research and education program that critically explores and redefines the role of ‘beauty’ and aesthetics in designing with emerging technologies, new materials, societal challenges, and recent philosophies. This program explores topics such as uncertainty, agency, intentionality, and emergence in the context of designing and experiencing within intelligent systems (artificial-social-cultural-biological-natural). The candidate should have a strong track record in research through practice (design or art), creative thinking and sensitive making, and should have affinity towards collaborating in societal contexts and multi-disciplinary teams.

Education: The candidate shall contribute to courses at bachelor’s and master’s level in related topics within the expertise area of creativity and aesthetics, with a preferred focus on sustainability and artificial intelligence.

Functie-eisen

• Motivated researcher, with a PhD in Design, HCI, Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering or other related disciplines.
• Ability to conduct high quality academic research, reflected in demonstratable outputs.
• Motivated to teach, contribute to teaching processes, and to develop excellent teaching skills.
• Strong cooperation skills and ability to work in an interdisciplinary team.
• Effective communication and leadership skills, including coaching and mentoring of students and staff, leading a project or chairing a group.
• Excellent (written and verbal) proficiency in English. 

Arbeidsvoorwaarden

A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university, in an interdisciplinary setting and within an international network. You will work on a beautiful, green campus within walking distance of the central train station. In addition, we offer you:

• A Tenure Track of five years with the prospect of becoming an Associate Professor. If you have a more senior profile, a tailor-made career proposal will be considered.
• The opportunity to focus your career on education, research or impact. You can develop your personal ambitions and objections within the strategic objectives of the university.
• Salary in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, scale 11/12 (min. €3974 -  max. €6181).
• A year-end bonus of 8.3% and annual vacation pay of 8%.
• A dedicated mentoring program to help you get to know the university and the Dutch (research) environment.
• High-quality training programs for academic leadership and teaching.
• An excellent technical infrastructure, on-campus children's day care and sports facilities.
• Partially paid parental leave and an allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs.
• A Staff Immigration Team is available for international candidates, as are a tax compensation scheme (the 30% facility) and partner career support.

Informatie en sollicitatie

About us

Eindhoven University of Technology is an internationally top-ranking university in the Netherlands that combines scientific curiosity with a hands-on attitude. Our spirit of collaboration translates into an open culture and a top-five position in collaborating with advanced industries. Fundamental knowledge enables us to design solutions for the highly complex problems of today and tomorrow. 

Curious to hear more about what it is like as a professor at TU/e? Please view the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85ApbAfeCcM

Information

Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more?
Please contact prof.dr. Panos Markopoulos p.markopoulos[at]tue.nl.

Visit our website for more information about the application process or the conditions of employment. You can also contact Jolanda van der Sande, HR advisor, j.i.v.d.sande[at]tue.nl.

Are you inspired and would like to know more about working at TU/e? Please visit our career page.

Application

We invite you to submit a complete application.
The application should include a:

• Cover letter in which you describe your motivation and qualifications for the position.
• Curriculum vitae, including a list of your publications and the contact information of three references.
• Description of your scientific interests and plans (1-2 pages).
• Statement of your teaching goals and experience (1-2 pages).

We look forward to receiving your application and will screen it as soon as possible. The vacancy will remain open until the position is filled.