Postdoc Serious Game Circular Campus (0,8 - 1,0 fte)

We are looking for a bright and inspiring postdoctoral researcher in the interdisciplinary field of circular and sustainable transition in the built environment. The research concentrates on how serious games add value to stakeholders’ awareness and engagement in this transition process.

Position

(Post-doctoral) Researcher

Department(s)

Built Environment

Reference number

V38.5899

Serious games offer a safe environment to test the potential cross-sectoral implications of integrated (policy) decisions without being a burden on real-world resources and society. The impacts of (policy) decisions can be tested, visualized and prioritized. By providing immediate feedback on the decisions made, stakeholders learn about complexities and the balance between human needs and preserving the environment. We are looking for a postdoc researcher who can synthesize the knowledge base and the underlying mechanisms for such serious games.

You will contribute to the development of a Serious Game for a Circular Campus. This topic will be addressed in interdisciplinary research projects within our strategic alliance of universities. The motto of the alliance between Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), Wageningen University & Research (WUR), Utrecht University (UU) and University Medical Centre Utrecht (UMCU) is Challenging Future Generations. We strive to do that by putting young researchers, lecturers, and students at the helm and by collaborating across the borders of the scientific disciplines. In the alliance, the four institutions combine their expertise to contribute to social transitions in the fields of health, food, energy, and sustainability (https://ewuu.nl/en/ ; https://ewuu.nl/en/research/circular-society/ ). The home base for your postdoc position is at the TU/e, where you will be supervised by dr. Qi Han. You will, however, be co-supervised by one or two researchers from UU and/or WUR. You are also expected to actively contribute to strengthening cooperation within the alliance, e.g. by working at one of the other institutes and/or our central alliance office for part of your work week.

The type of serious game we are after shows a physical environment in which circularity is pursued. As a prototype, we start with a university campus, represented by a material based grid. The game zooms in on a specific challenge or multiple challenges that need to be tackled within that environment. For instance: embodied CO2, NOx exhaust, water consumption, waste management, scarce materials, reuse, biobased material, allow for flexible use, design for disassembly, etc. The prototype can be scaled up to a city with a triple helix (stakeholders from industry, government, and universities) in an urban development initiative setting. The research concentrates on how to promote systems’ thinking, the discovery of underlying mechanisms of nonlinear interdependent cause-effect relations, and potential circular business opportunities.

We expect you to produce the following concrete deliverables within two years:       

• concept for the Serious Game Circular Campus and a vision document for implementation in co-creation with the associated principal investigators and aligned researchers;
• scientific publications on circular transitions;
• having initiated a collaborative interdisciplinary research proposal related to an external call or having participated in such a call;
• popular science publications in media with a broad audience;
• contributions to and frequent updates on selected social media;
• contributions to the organization of workshops and sandpits on your research theme within the alliance.

As a postdoc, you are an ambitious, enthusiastic, creative scientist and a team player, devoted to research and its applications in the field of circular society and sustainability. You also have:

• PhD degree in an area of scientific relevance for the transition to a circular society;
• demonstrable interest and experience in circularity issues or issues related to sustainable transition processes and information systems in the built environment;
• demonstrable strong interest in multidisciplinary research;
• strong organizational skills, ability to come forward with concrete ideas to get things moving;
• good communication abilities, also comfortable outside of your area of expertise;
• good networking skills and enthusiasm to collaborate and interact with researchers from various disciplines and societal stakeholders;
• ability in acquisition and proposal writing for getting research funding;
• have an affinity for impact on society, combined with social media skills.

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:

• Full-time employment for 2 years.
• Salary in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities,
  scale 10 (min €2.960 – max €4.670) .
• 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 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. 

Information
Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more? Please contact

the hiring manager dr.ir. J.H. (Jurgen) Ganzevles, j.h.ganzevles[at]tue.nl or +31614680797.

Visit our website for more information about the application process or the conditions of employment. You can also contact HRServices.BE[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 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.
• List of five self-selected ‘best publications’.

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.

You can upload a maximum of 5 documents of up to 2 MB each.