Postdoc Piloting Circular Education between Technical and Applied Sciences Universities

Explore the potential of cross-level education in the field of circularity in the built environment between technical and applied sciences universities.

Job description

The Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment in Delft University of technology is looking for a postodoc to work on a research project entitled "Piloting circular education between technical and applied sciences universities", supervised by Assistant Professsor Olga Ioannou, Associate Professor Alex Wandl (Delft) and Professor Nurhan Abujidi (Zuyd).
The project aims to explore the potential of cross-level education in the field of circularity in the built environment. The project follows the NEB Academy mission to train, up-skill, and re-skill the current and future construction ecosystem. Therefore, this research will address questions related to the new and the changing roles of the built environment professionals in the transition towards a circular built environment, the nature, the production and the situatedness of the knowledge required to achieve the transition, as well as the methods for creating and faciliating knowledge exchange between the two educational standpoints. 

The Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment of TU Delft and the Zuyd University of Applied Sciences will provide the testground for this research. The project will focus on designing mutually beneficial learning encounters and planning their allocation strategically in both universities’ curricula. It will do so by using the existing circular educational resources and educational experiences of the Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment of TU Delft, and the newly inaguarted 4-year long Zuyd BSc program on ‘Circular Cities and Communities’ as its canvas. Besides exploring the relatedeness of the curricula on circularity, the project will further inquire on the pedagocial ramifications of the cross-level education encounters. To this aim, current theories of learning and innovative pedagogical models of hands-on education and experiential learning will be investigated, selectively applied and ultimately assessed for their potential to reinfornce and advance circular education.  

The project builds on the expertise of Olga Ioannou (circular (engineering) education; circular products and processes), Alex Wandl (urban planning; urban metabolism) and will be further supported by the faculty’s Circular Built Environment Hub (CBE Hub). You will collaborate with the Zuyd team responsible for the new BSc development and implementation supervised by Professor Nurhan Abujidi. With an overall duration of 4 years, the project will oversee the new curriculum since its beginning in September 2025 all the way to the completion of its first cycle in 2029.

You will: 

• Conduct research contributing to the project objectives.
• Design and implement joint learning encounters including a deep dive into the learning outcomes and competences and further clarifying the in between space between an applied sciences and a technical university education. 
• Develop an ‘Educating the Educators’ program.
• Develop jointly new learning resources on circularity and circular education pedagogies. 
• Join the teaching and research agenda of the research groups of the supervisors (AF&P, Research Center Smart Urban Redesign).
• Be an active member of the CBE Hub group and the Hub’s activities, the Limburg Circular hub, and the European Center for Circular buildings and transformations. 
• Attend relevant coursework and other training.
• Contribute to the writing of high-quality, high-impact publications and present findings at international conferences.   

Job requirements
For this full-time, four-year funded Postdoc position, we are looking for a highly motivated candidate with:

• A PhD degree in the field of the Building Sciences, with a strong focus on circularity in one or more of the following areas: circular material flows, data-driven circular design strategies, circular impact assessment, value retention, democratic decision-making, and circular project management and business models.
• Working experience as an educator. Experience in circular curriculum development will be a plus. 
• Strong interest in circular education. 
• Demonstrated capacity to initiate projects and build collaborative networks.
• Strong skills in critical thinking and writing.
• Excellent oral, visual and written communication skills (in English); see requirements at TU Delft. Proficiency in English at C1 level (Dutch language skills at NT2 level are a plus).
• The ability to work independently, and as part of a team.         

TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)
Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context.

At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.

Challenge. Change. Impact!

Faculty Architecture & the Built Environment
The Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment has a leading role in education and research worldwide. The driving force behind the faculty’s success is its robust research profile combined with the energy and creativity of its student body and academic community. It is buzzing with energy from early in the morning until late at night, with four thousand people studying, working, designing, conducting research and acquiring and disseminating knowledge. Our faculty has a strong focus on 'design-oriented research’, which has given it a top position in world rankings.

Staff and students are working to improve the built environment with the help of a broad set of disciplines, including architectural design, urban planning, building technology, social sciences, process management, and geo-information science. The faculty works closely with other faculties, universities, private parties, and the public sector, and has an extensive network in the Netherlands as well as internationally.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment.
 

Conditions of employment 

• Duration of contract is 1+3 years.
• A job of 38-40 hours per week. 

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged. 

Will you need to relocate to the Netherlands for this job? TU Delft is committed to make your move as smooth as possible! The HR unit, Coming to Delft Service, offers information on their website to help you prepare your relocation. In addition, Coming to Delft Service organises events to help you settle in the Netherlands, and expand your (social) network in Delft. A Dual Career Programme is available, to support your accompanying partner with their job search in the Netherlands.  . 

Additional information

For additional information about the position, please contact Dr. Olga Ioannou via e-mail: o.ioannou@tudelft.nl.

For more information about the application procedure, please contact Paulien Stastra, HR advisor, via e-mail: recruitment-BK@tudelft.nl.  
 

Application procedure
Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 22 June 2025 via the application button and upload the following documents:

• Detailed CV - highlight examples of projects and/or achievements that demonstrate skills relevant to the advertised position.
• Motivational letter (no more than 600 words) addressing your interests and describing how your experience and plans fit with the position.
• Contact information of two referees (letters not required at this stage).
• PhD and MSc thesis, and one notable publication you have authored.

Please note:

• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post. 
• A pre-employment screening can be part of the selection procedure.
• For the final candidates, a knowledge security check will be part of the application procedure. For more information on this check, please consult Chapter 8 of the National Knowledge Security Guidelines. We carry out this check on the basis of legitimate interest.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.