Postdoc UB4H: Learning and working in innovative hydrogen Brainport Learning communities

The Department of Applied Physics and Science Education is a research-driven department housing high-quality educational programs, all featuring strong connections between research and education. Our research is clustered in three focal areas: Fluids, Bio and Soft Matter (FBSM); Plasmas and Beams (PB); and Nano, Quantum and Photonics (NQP). Our shared ambition is to equip the next generation of ‘engineers of the future’ with the knowledge and the skills they will need to impact science, innovation, and society, from regional to global scales. Introduction Join United Brains 4 Hydrogen (UB4H), a pioneering research program that connects education, research, and industry to accelerate the green hydrogen transition. UB4H focuses on researching and building innovative learning communities and digital solutions that prepare professionals for future roles in a rapidly evolving energy sector. By working in an interdisciplinary team, you will contribute through enquiry-based approaches to shaping a responsive ecosystem that strengthens collaboration, reduces time-to-job, and drives innovation for a climate-neutral society. In this position, you will design and optimize learning communities that integrate learning, working, and innovation. Together with two other postdocs you will develop practical tools and strategies to foster collaboration between education, industry, and government, ensuring professionals acquire future-proof skills to enable lifelong learning. Project Focus This Postdoc Research Aims To:

• Advance theoretical and practical understanding of learning and development processes within and between organizations in the hydrogen sector.
• Analyse design principles and interventions that foster collaboration, co-creation, and innovation in dynamic learning communities.
• Develop and test tools and methods for evaluating and optimizing learning communities, including strategies for brokers and stakeholders.

The project offers room to refine research questions, design participatory approaches, and collaborate closely with educational institutions and industry partners.
Job Description As a Postdoctoral Researcher, you will:

• Investigate how learning communities can integrate learning, working, and innovation to accelerate workforce readiness in the hydrogen sector.
• Design and test methods, tools, and interventions that foster collaboration and co-creation between education, industry, and government.
• Conduct qualitative, quantitative, and participatory research, including case studies and realist evaluations.
• Facilitate co-design processes and support brokers in their role as connectors.
• Publish academic papers and practical guidelines, and present findings at conferences.
• Collaborate with educators, industry partners, and policymakers to implement and evaluate learning community strategies.
• Work closely with other postdocs to ensure alignment across research work packages.
• Contribute to the vibrant research ecosystem within the United Brains 4 Hydrogen (UB4H) program, embedded in the Eindhoven School of Education.

Your work will directly support the energy transition by creating future-proof learning environments that prepare professionals for emerging roles in the hydrogen economy.
Job Requirements

• A PhD in educational sciences, learning sciences, organizational studies, or a related discipline.
• Demonstrated expertise in learning and development processes within and between organizations.
• Experience with qualitative, quantitative, and participatory research methods.
• Ability to facilitate co-design processes and guide collaboration between education, industry, and government.
• Strategic and organizational sensitivity: ability to recognize and act on interests, power dynamics, and network relationships.
• Strong communication and relational skills, with sensitivity to political and organizational dynamics.
• Ability to work independently and adaptively in a dynamic, innovative environment.
• Proven ability to deliver both scientific and practice-oriented outputs (articles, guidelines, tools).
• Fluent in English and proficiency in Dutch is considered an advantage, as you will collaborate with local educators and companies.

Conditions of Employment 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:

• Part-time employment, 0.8FTE, for 3 years.
• Salary in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, scale 10 (min. € 4,241 max. € 5,538).
• A year-end bonus of 8.3% and annual vacation pay of 8%.
• High-quality training programs on general skills, didactics and topics related to research and valorization.
• 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 TU/e Postdoc Association that helps you to build a stronger and broader academic and personal network, and offers tailored support, training and workshops.
• A Staff Immigration Team is available for international candidates, as are a tax compensation scheme (the 30% facility) and a compensation for moving expenses.

About us Eindhoven University of Technology is a leading international university within the Brainport region where scientific curiosity meets a hands-on mindset. We work in an open and collaborative way with high-tech industries to tackle complex societal challenges. Our responsible and respectful approach ensures impact — today and in the future. TU/e is home to over 13,000 students and more than 7,000 staff, forming a diverse and vibrant academic community. The Department of Applied Physics and Science Education is a research-driven department housing high-quality educational programs, all featuring strong connections between research and education. Our research is clustered in three focal areas: Fluids, Bio and Soft Matter (FBSM); Plasmas and Beams (PB); and Nano, Quantum and Photonics (NQP). Our shared ambition is to equip the next generation of ‘engineers of the future’ with the knowledge and the skills they will need to impact science, innovation, and society, from regional to global scales. Information Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more? Please contact the hiring manager Asst. Prof. Gonny Schellings, g.l.m.schellings@tue.nl. Visit our website for more information about the application process or the conditions of employment. You can also contact HR Services, hrservices.apse@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 using the apply-button. 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. Kindly note that we may reach out to references at any stage of the recruitment process. We recommend notifying your references upon submitting your application.
• List of up to five self-selected ‘best publications’.

Ensure that you submit all the requested application documents. Please note that incomplete applications may not be considered and could be rejected. We give priority to complete applications. 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.
Please note

• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
• A pre-employment screening (e.g. knowledge security check) can be part of the selection procedure. For more information on the knowledge security check, please consult the National Knowledge Security Guidelines.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.

Type of employment: temporary position | Contract type: part-time | Number of positions: 1 | Full-time equivalent: 0.8 FTE | City: Eindhoven | County: Noord-Brabant | Country: Netherlands | Reference number: 2026/24 | Published: 2026-01-15 | Last application date: 2026-02-15