Postdoc In Socio-Emotional Processes in Team Learning within Challenge-Based Engineering Education

Introduction

Are you excited about advancing the next generation of engineering education? Do you want to investigate how student teams navigate the socio-emotional aspects of learning while solving complex, real-world challenges? Then this 2-year postdoc position at the Department of Applied Physics and Science Education may be the perfect next step in your academic career. 

Eindhoven University of Technology’s Strategy 2030 highlights a university-wide transition toward challenge-based learning (CBL) as a central educational model. At the heart of CBL are multidisciplinary student teams working on authentic, open-ended problems, requiring the ability to regulate motivation, emotions, and social interactions effectively. 

Building on previous work on Socially Shared Regulation of Learning (SSRL), this postdoctoral project will focus more explicitly on socio-emotional processes in team learning, investigating how emotions, motivation, group climate, and interpersonal regulation shape learning and performance in engineering multidisciplinary student teams. The project offers opportunities for collaboration with other ongoing research projects on team learning in CBL, while allowing the postdoc to develop their own research line within this broader theme.

Project Focus 

This Postdoc research aims to: 

• Advance theoretical and empirical understanding of socio-emotional processes and team regulation in engineering student teams working within CBL environments.
• Identify mechanisms and team conditions that foster productive collaboration, resilience, and shared regulation under demanding situations.
• Contribute to methodological innovation to study socio-emotional and regulatory processes (e.g., multimodal data, process-oriented analyses).

The project allows significant room for the postdoctoral researcher to refine the specific research questions, develop new methodological approaches, and pursue collaborations within the department. 

Job Description

As a Postdoctoral Researcher, you will: 

• Lead the development of theoretical and conceptual contributions on socio-emotional processes in team learning.
• Design and carry out empirical studies using quantitative, qualitative, or mixed-method approaches.
• Develop or refine assessment instruments, observational frameworks, or analytic methodologies for capturing socio-emotional and regulatory processes in teams.
• Publish high-quality academic papers in international journals and present findings at leading conferences.
• Support and collaborate with PhD students and other researchers working on related topics.
• Contribute to the vibrant research community in educational innovation at TU/e.

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.

Job Requirements

• A PhD degree in educational sciences, psychology, learning sciences, engineering education, or a related discipline.
• Demonstrated expertise in researching team learning, socio-emotional processes, regulation of learning, or related areas, evidenced by publications, dissertation work, or conference presentations.
• Strong methodological skills, such as experience with process-oriented or multimodal analyses, qualitative coding of interactions, mixed-methods research.
• Affinity with or interest in higher education innovation and/or engineering education.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team while contributing to a collaborative research environment.
• Strong academic writing and communication skills.
• Proactive, creative, and analytically strong mindset.
• Fluent in spoken and written English (C1 level).

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:

• Full-time employment for 2 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.

Information

Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more? Please contact the hiring manager Dr Karolina Doulougeri, k.i.doulougeri@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.
• A statement of research intent (500–800 words) in which you outline your envisioned contribution to the study of socio-emotional processes in team learning. This statement should describe the theoretical perspective you plan to build on, the central aims or direction of your proposed work, and the methodological approach you consider adopting. Applicants are encouraged to articulate their own focus and research trajectory within this broader theme.

Ensure that you submit all the requested application documents. We give priority to complete applications.

We look forward to receiving your application and will screen it as soon as possible. Deadline for applications 29th of December 2025. Selected applicants will be notified at the latest by 9th of January 2026. Interviews with selected candidates will be conducted on Friday 16th of January 2026.

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.