PhD position: Understanding and supporting effective innovation practices in interorganizational learning communities

In both research and industry, there is a growing push to establish interorganizational learning communities as hubs where professionals from diverse backgrounds can collaborate, learn, and innovate collectively. Although we have seen a significant rise of these interorganizational learning communities (LCs), as they hold a promise to contribute to offering solutions for current societal issues, most of these communities often do not result in the required innovations. While the participants often posses expert knowledge on the topic, they often get “stuck” in merely exchanging knowledge. Currently, we lack insights into how to support these LCs with actionable knowledge, tools, and guidance in adopting and implementing socio-technical innovations.

The focus of the PhD project is twofold. First, you will investigate the dynamics of effective innovation practices in teams and their keydrivers. Specific methods (combinations of video-observation, physiological measures and experience sampling) will be employed to studying, at a micro-level, the innovation processes and critical moments in those processes. Second, you will develop and evaluate the effects of training and other forms of support to accelerate the innovation practices.

The resulting insights will also be used to offer formative and summative feedback to the communities themselves, empowering them to reflect on and enhance their innovation and learning practices.

The PhD position is part of the NWO-funded project LIAT; Learning and Innovating Ahead of the Threat. In this project, several other partners are also involved including Saxion Hogeschool, the Haagse Security Delta (HSD), and the Centre and the Centre for Safety an Digitalization. Within this context, several learning communities are participating in the project.

Go to www.utwente.nl/vacatures/en (click twice to find the vacancy) to start with the application. You can upload your files here. Since only three documents can be uploaded per application, please combine documents if needed.

Your application should include the following documents:

• a cover letter (in English or Dutch) which explains your interest in the position and your qualifications for it;
• a curriculum vitae;
• a copy of your Master’s thesis or, if it is not yet available, an outline and summary of your thesis.

Apply before the application deadline of April 26. The first round of interviews will be held beginning of May. The second round also takes place in May. The starting date for the position is ideally June 2024, but some flexibility is possible.

For additional information about this position, or to receive the full text of the research proposal funded by NWO, you can contact dr. Marcella Hoogeboom ([email protected]  / +31 53 4893984).

Working at the Professional Learning & Technology department at the UT

Researchers in our department study formal and informal learning of (future) employees, including the use of technology to measure and support professional learning. More broadly, we also study professional learning in relation to the collaboration and innovation processes of professionals, particularly so in multidisciplinary settings and new forms of organizing (such as learning communities or living labs). Our studies often take place in the high-tech, health, and educational sectors with the intention to understand, evaluate, and optimize (inter)professional and (inter)organizational learning, collaboration, and innovation in these various contexts. Increasingly, the settings we study revolve around grand challenges and wicked problems, such as the transitions to green energy and circularity or matters of digital transformation. To contribute to these challenges, we also design and evaluate (technology-based) interventions to optimize professional learning, innovation, and collaboration. In our research group, we combine expertise from a range of disciplines (e.g., educational sciences, psychology, business administration, organization studies, communication science).

More information about the departments of Professional Learning & Technology can be found on the following website

The Faculty of Behavioral, Management and Social sciences (BMS) aims to play a key role in understanding, jointly developing and evaluating innovations in society. Technological developments are the engine of innovation. As a technical university that puts people first, we tailor them to human needs and behavior and use social engineering to integrate them into society. We also ensure adequate governance at public and private level, and robust, inclusive and fair organizational structures. We do this by developing, sharing and applying high-quality knowledge in Psychology, Business Administration, Public Administration, Communication Sciences, Philosophy, Educational Sciences and Health Sciences. Our research and education in these disciplines revolves around tackling and solving societal challenges. The research programs of BMS are closely linked to the research of the UT institutes Mesa+ Institute for Nanotechnology, TechMed Center and Digital Society Institute.

As an employer, the Faculty of BMS offers work that matters. We equip you to create new possibilities for yourself and for our society. With us, you will become part of a leading technical university with increasing, positive social impact. We offer an open, inclusive and entrepreneurial atmosphere, in which we encourage you to make healthy choices, for example through our flexible, adaptable benefits.