Postdoc UB4H: Interconnecting and cooperation between hydrogen 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 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 to shaping a responsive ecosystem that strengthens collaboration, reduces time-to-job, and drives innovation for a climate-neutral society.
You will investigate how learning communities can be interconnected across micro, meso, and macro levels to create a sustainable knowledge ecosystem. Together with two other postdocs you will develop strategies to foster collaboration between organizations. Your research will focus on governance models, cooperative strategies, and digital tools that enable scaling and long-term resilience. Project Focus This Postdoc Research Aims To:

• Advance theoretical and empirical understanding of nested innovation ecosystems and their governance in the hydrogen sector.
• Analyse mechanisms and design principles that foster responsiveness and interconnectivity between learning communities.
• Develop and test practical interventions and brokerage that strengthen collaboration and scalability across organizational and regional levels.

The project offers flexibility to refine research questions, develop new frameworks, and engage with diverse stakeholders in the energy transition.
Job Description As a Postdoctoral Researcher, you will:

• Explore how learning communities can be interconnected across micro, meso, and macro levels to create a responsive hydrogen knowledge ecosystem.
• Develop governance models and cooperative strategies that enable sustainable collaboration and scalability.
• Conduct design-based research to analyse mechanisms that strengthen ecosystem resilience and innovation capacity.
• Publish academic papers and practical guidelines and share insights through workshops and conferences.
• Work closely with educational institutions, industry partners, and policymakers to align learning communities with regional and national 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 research will help shape a robust knowledge ecosystem that accelerates innovation and workforce development for the green hydrogen transition.
Job Requirements

• A PhD in (Technical) Business Administration, Innovation Management, Systems Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Strong background in systems thinking, ecosystems, governance, and innovation processes.
• Experience with interdisciplinary collaboration and design-based research.
• Interest in the hydrogen sector and energy transition.
• Ability to analyse complex challenges and translate them into actionable insights.
• Excellent analytical, communication, and organizational skills.
• Proven ability to deliver both scientific and practice-oriented outputs (articles, frameworks, guidelines).
• 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: 2026/25 | Published: 2026-01-15 | Last application date: 2026-02-15