Assistant-Associate Professor In Materials Technology

Would you like to be part of a vibrant and collaborative academic community, contributing to innovations with real-world relevance? Join us in shaping the future of 'materials technology' in the heart of the high-tech region of the Netherlands! The Processing & Performance section of the Mechanical Engineering department at Eindhoven University of Technology is seeking a passionate and talented Assistant or Associate Professor to expand its team.

The department of Mechanical Engineering

The department of Mechanical Engineering conducts world-class research that closely aligns with the technological needs of the high-tech industry in the Netherlands. We are deeply embedded in the Brainport Eindhoven ecosystem, enabling our staff and students to contribute directly to the development of technological breakthroughs with real-world relevance. With a strong track record of successful spin-offs and active participation in numerous national and international research consortia we offer a dynamic environment where science meets application. 
By offering a balanced education and research program that combines fundamental and application aspects, we aim to develop engineers who are both scientifically educated, and application driven. We equip our graduates with practical and theoretical expertise, preparing them optimally for future challenges.

The Processing and Performance section

The department of Mechanical Engineering focuses on research in the field of product and process design and manufacturing. The heart of the department is devoted to designing, analyzing, improving, manufacturing new products and processes, as well as the materials needed for this. The section Processing and Performance (P&P) strives to change the design of polymer products and shaping processes from experimentally driven trial-and-error to virtual prototyping with quantitative predictive capability. To reach this goal, the P&P section aims at bridging the gap between sophisticated experimental techniques, constitutive modelling, and reliable and feasible predictive modeling of the processing (fluid state) and properties (solid state) of polymers and soft matter. Specific attention is given to establishing (micro)structure-processing-property relationships.

The P&P section has strong connections with the departments of Chemical Engineering & Chemistry as well as with Biomedical Engineering. There are also strong long-lasting industrial collaborations which is reflected by the numerous PhD and postdoctoral projects that are supported by industry bilaterally, via research centers, and in larger consortia.

The section currently consists of a diverse and committed team of twelve staff members, two post-doc and twenty PhD researchers.

To support our research we have a number of excellently equipped laboratories dedicated to rheology, interfacial rheology, mechanical testing, polymer processing, and additive manufacturing. 

The Position

Research themes of the candidate

We welcome profiles that strengthen our section in one of the following research themes:

1.  Life-cycle optimized design/engineering
   Optimal design for performance does not necessarily imply optimal suitability for a circular economy. We envisage pioneering solutions for product optimization that holistically consider interplays between mechanical performance, and end-of-life useability.
2. Structure development during processing
   In semi-crystalline and/or fiber reinforced polymer systems, the thermal-, pressure- and flow history during processing are strongly determining the resulting microstructure within a product. In critical applications, e.g., load-bearing components or parts with a strong dimensional constraint, an accurate prediction of performance (mechanical or physical) or dimensions after molding can only be achieved by including the structure evolution (crystallization & orientation) during flow.
3. Performance through processing
   Specific mechanical or physical properties (dielectric, electromagnetic shielding, conductive, optical) are designed by controlling processing conditions, and composition over different length and time scales.  
4. Synthetic materials for cryogenic applications
   Loadbearing components in cryogenic conditions bring unique challenges vis-à-vis dimensional accuracy and transitory ductile to brittle failure response. Shrinkage-induced damage evolution threatens long-term performance (fatigue) at low temperatures. The cryogenic environment offers major challenges with respect to material characterization.
5. Uncertainty Quantification for system identification
   The adaptation of state of the art, physics-based constitutive models in industrial practice is seriously hampered by the complexity of parameter identification. We envision novel characterization methods based on Uncertainty Quantification, combining computer-assisted approaches with existing experimental/physical insights.

Responsibilities

• You will develop internationally leading research, and make significant contributions to high-impact journals.
• You will be responsible for setting up and driving your own independent research program by writing research proposals to acquire public and private funding. You will also lead or contribute to initiating and coordinating multidisciplinary research projects by diverse (external) funding sources.
• You will lead or contribute to the development of the Mechanical Engineering Bachelor's and Master's teaching programs, and you will teach lectures/tutorials at both levels. TU/e supports its junior scientific staff in developing their teaching skills through a training program that leads to the University Teaching Qualification, an official certification from Dutch Universities.
• You will supervise and mentor BSc, MSc, EngD and PhD students during their final projects and internships. Your mentorship will empower the next generation of engineers.
• You will contribute to the success of the research group, department, and associated institutes by initiating, participating or leading new internal and external collaborations.

Job Requirements

The following criteria are required for the job depending on working experience and level of professorship (Assistant, or Associate Professor). For the more experienced profiles we expect more academic seniority in all aspects of the required academic profile (research, impact/valorization, education and leadership):

• PhD degree in Mechanical Engineering, Applied Physics, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or comparable domain.
• Proven experience in one of the five above-mentioned research themes.
• Ability to conduct high quality academic research, reflected in demonstratable outputs.
• Motivated and/or ability to teach, contribute to teaching processes, and develop excellent teaching skills.
• Strong collaboration skills and the ability to work in an interdisciplinary team.
• Effective communication and leadership skills, including the ability to coach and mentor students and staff, lead projects or chair groups.
• Excellent proficiency in English, both written and verbal.

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:

• A tailor-made career proposal (Assistant, Associate Professor) will be considered given your experience and track record with the possibility of an immediate tenured position. For the Assistant Professor position we offer a development track with the prospect of becoming an Associate Professor.
• Salary in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. For a junior Assistant Professor this is (scale 11) min. € 4.537 to max. € 6.209 gross per month (on a full-time basis). For an Associate Professor the range of the gross salary is (scale 13/14) min. € 6.286 to max. € 8.405 gross per month (on a full-time basis). 
• A year-end bonus of 8.3% and annual vacation pay of 8%.
• A start-up package for the purpose of hiring a PhD student to kickstart your research.
• A dedicated mentoring program to help you get to know the university and the Dutch (research) environment.
• High-quality training programs for academic leadership and teaching.
• An excellent technical infrastructure, on-campus children's day care, sports facilities and extensive resources allocated for conference travel. 
• Partially paid parental leave and an allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs.
• A Staff Immigration Team is available for international candidates, as are a tax compensation scheme (the 30% facility) and partner career support.
• The possibility for part-time employment starting at 0.8 fte (min. 32 hours a week).
• The start date of this position is flexible and in agreement with the candidate.

Information and application

About us

Our university

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. 

Embedding of our Professors

The department of Mechanical Engineering is organized in eight large sections, each comprising approximately ten Assistant, Associate, or Full Professors. All are considered as Principal Investigator (PI) according to our ‘everybody Professor’ vision. Each PI has the academic freedom to define and develop their own research profile. At the same time, collaboration lies at the heart of our culture; PIs actively engage with one another both within and across the sections. Within each section PIs share responsibility for shaping and delivering part of the curriculum, as well as access to state-of-the-art lab facilities and dedicated technical support.
The PIs and support staff across the department meet regularly to exchange ideas and present latest developments in Education, Research and Innovation/Valorization. These events are highly valued by our scientific staff and contribute to the strong sense of community and team spirit that defines our department.

Our culture

We foster a supportive, inclusive, and collaborative working environment where everyone feels valued and respected. We stimulate a team-oriented culture in which ideas are openly shared and interdisciplinary collaboration is encouraged. Challenges are met with a proactive, can-do attitude, and we prioritize mutual support and personal growth. Our commitment to wellbeing is reflected in initiatives such as intervision groups, a Wellbeing Signal Group, professional leadership programs, and an active mentoring system.

Information

Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more? Questions regarding the scientific content can be directed to prof.dr.ir. Leon Govaert via l.e.govaert@tue.nl or prof. dr.sc.nat. M. Hütter via M.Huetter@tue.nl.

Visit our website for more information about the application process or the conditions of employment. You can also contact Josje van Oudenaarden, Senior Recruiter, via j.e.v.oudenaarden@tue.nl or +31 643559575.

Are you inspired and would like to know more about working at TU/e? Please visit our career page.

Curious to hear more about what it is like as a professor at TU/e? Please watch the video.

Application

We invite you to submit a complete application which should include:

• A cover letter in which you describe your motivation and qualifications for the position.
• A Curriculum Vitae, including a list of your publications and the contact information of three references.
• A description of your scientific interests and plans (1-2 pages).
• A statement of your teaching goals and experience (1-2 pages).
• Certificate of your PhD degree.

As part of the online registration of your application you will be requested to answer some questions (e.g., about your expertise).

We look forward to receiving your application before August 16, 2025.

The recruitment process will include the following sequential selection rounds:

• Online interviews with the selection committee.
• Candidates’ day on our campus, including interviews and introduction program to get to know the group, the department and our university.
• Formal interview with the Recruitment Advisory Committee. We expect this to take place in December 2025/January 2026.

We look forward to your application and potentially welcoming you to our university.