Associate or Full Professor In Process Systems Engineering

Introduction

The Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry at Eindhoven University of Technology invites applications for mid-career and senior faculty positions in the field of process systems engineering. Exceptional candidates are encouraged to apply before May 20th 2026.

Faculty responsibilities include teaching at the BSc and MSc levels, mentoring undergraduate students, PhD students, and postdoctoral researchers, conducting original scholarly research, leading an internationally visible research group, and contributing to service and leadership within the Department and the University. Additionally, we are looking for candidates with strong leadership skills, able to conceptualize and execute new initiatives, inspire colleagues and students, and foster a collaborative and inclusive research environment. The successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to guide interdisciplinary efforts, mentor early-career researchers, and contribute strategically to the development and visibility of the department.

Job Description

The Cluster Sustainable Energy and Process Technology comprises 8 principal investigators with combined expertise in multiscale modeling, intensified reactors, membrane separation, biobased and circular technologies, plasma and electrified devices, and rotating devices.

We pioneer innovative, sustainable energy solutions tailored to the ongoing energy, materials, and feedstock transition, leveraging advanced intensified reactors and cutting-edge devices. Our success stems from the harmonious use of multiscale modeling, artificial intelligence, non-invasive monitoring techniques, and the strategic integration of multifunctional capabilities into our devices. We offer comprehensive modern education programs to BSc. and MSc. students, PhD candidates, and postdocs. We cover process technology science through concerted action, connecting fundamentals to novel applications.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and creative (associate/full) professor candidate to strengthen the research and education and building a world-class research program. We invite applications for a tenured Associate or Full Professor position in Process Systems Engineering (PSE). The successful candidate will strengthen our research and education activities in the design and optimization of innovative, intensified, and sustainable chemical processes, with a clear focus on the energy and feedstock transition.

The position targets an internationally recognized researcher who develops and tests advanced systems-level methods and tools for conceptualizing, analyzing, designing, and optimizing next-generation process technologies. These technologies underpin the transition towards low-carbon energy systems, circular use of feedstocks, and climate-neutral industrial production. Depending on experience and academic maturity, the appointment will be made at the Associate Professor or Full Professor level. The Department operates state-of-the-art research infrastructure on process technology and separations which can offer a strong starting point to build a leading program.

The energy and feedstock transition requires a fundamental redesign of the chemical and process industries. This includes:

• Replacement of fossil feedstocks by renewable carbon sources, CO₂, biomass, and recycled materials
• Large-scale integration of renewable electricity, hydrogen, and power-to-X routes
• Deployment of process intensification concepts to improve efficiency, flexibility, and modularity
• Increased coupling between process design, control, operation, and digitalization
• Operation under uncertainty, variability, and multi-objective sustainability constraints

Process Systems Engineering as a discipline plays a central enabling role in this transformation. The successful candidate will contribute cutting-edge methods that allow industry and society to design and operate radically new process concepts rather than incrementally improving existing ones.

Research Profile

The candidate will develop a strong and coherent research program in Process Systems Engineering centered on methodological innovation for the energy- and feedstock-transition. The research will focus on the systematic design, optimization, and operation of sustainable process systems, with particular emphasis on early-stage decision-making, resource efficiency, flexibility, and robustness under uncertainty.

In process synthesis and conceptual design, the program will advance the systematic generation and screening of process alternatives using superstructure-based and equation-oriented approaches. A key objective is to enable early-stage design under uncertainty and incomplete data, allowing rigorous identification of promising process concepts for emerging technologies and circular feedstocks.

In process intensification and integration, the research will establish design methodologies for intensified units, including multifunctional reactors, integrated separation–reaction systems, and high-G systems, and embed these within plant-wide frameworks for heat, mass, and energy integration across process networks. This will be coupled with the development and testing of modular and flexible plant concepts suited for dynamic operation under variable energy supply and feedstock availability.

Optimization and decision-making will provide the methodological backbone through advances in large-scale, mixed-integer, nonlinear, and dynamic optimization. The work will address multi-objective optimization including techno-economic and environmental metrics and develop robust and stochastic optimization under uncertainty to support resilient design and operation of future process systems.

In digitalization and advanced modeling, the program will deliver surrogate models, reduced-order models, and hybrid physics–data-driven approaches to enable computationally efficient design and optimization. A central theme will be the integration of process design with control and operability considerations, moving toward fully integrated design–control frameworks. Machine learning and AI will be used as enablers for PSE where they are methodologically justified and provide clear added value.

Overall, the research will create a unified systems methodology for the rapid exploration, rigorous evaluation, and flexible operation of next-generation chemical and energy processes, with applications in electrification, circular carbon, sustainable fuels and chemicals, and renewable feedstock utilization.

Collaboration and Funding

The successful candidate will build and lead an internationally visible research group in Process Systems Engineering, combining methodological excellence with strong relevance to energy, climate, and sustainability challenges. Through a clear scientific vision and high-impact output, the group will establish a recognized position in the international research landscape.

The candidate is expected to attract substantial external funding from national, European, and international sources, building a robust and diversified portfolio that supports long-term research development and doctoral training.

Collaboration will be central to the role. The candidate will work actively with other engineering disciplines, as well as with chemical sciences and applied mathematics, ensuring strong scientific foundations and cross-disciplinary integration. Close partnerships with industry and applied research organizations will promote translation of research into practical and societal impact.

The candidate will contribute to and help shape large interdisciplinary research programs addressing major societal challenges in energy, climate, and sustainability. At the Full Professor level, this includes strategic leadership in defining research directions, initiating and coordinating large collaborative initiatives, mentoring junior staff, and strengthening the institution’s international position in systems-oriented sustainability research.

Teaching and Education

The candidate will contribute significantly to Bachelor's and Master's education in chemical engineering and related programs. Additionally, the candidate will build a team and supervise BSc and MSc theses, PhD students, postdoctoral fellows, technicians and other colleagues.

Job Requirements

• Candidates must hold a Ph.D. in chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, or a closely related field by the start of employment.
• At the Associate Professor level, the candidate should demonstrate a strong record of original scholarship and clear research independence. Evidence of successful acquisition of competitive external funding is expected, along with the ability to mentor doctoral candidates, postdoctoral researchers, and junior staff, contributing to the development of a vibrant research environment.
• At the Full Professor level, the candidate should be an internationally recognized scientist with a sustained and consistent track record of high-impact original scholarship. The candidate is expected to have demonstrated leadership of academic teams and large research initiatives, a strong portfolio of competitive funding, and strategic vision in shaping research programs and institutional directions at national and international levels.
• Ability to conduct high quality academic research, reflected in demonstratable outputs.
• A strong research vision and the ambition to build an internationally recognized, externally funded frontier research program.
• Teaching BSc and MSc courses and inspiring students and mentees.
• Strong cooperation skills and ability to work in an interdisciplinary team.
• Effective communication and leadership skills, including coaching and mentoring of students and staff, leading a project or chairing a group.
• Excellent (written and verbal) proficiency in English.

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:

• Salary in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, scale 13 - H1 (min. €6,512 - max. €12,584).
• A year-end bonus of 8.3% and annual vacation pay of 8%.
• 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 and sports facilities.
• Unlimited access to the modern on‑campus TU/e Student Sports Center at an exceptionally affordable rate.
• 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.

About us

We are a leading international university 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.

Our university is located in Brainport Eindhoven — a world‑leading tech region with more than 7,000 high‑tech companies and strong R&D activity. Known for breakthroughs in AI, photonics, semiconductors and advanced manufacturing, Brainport is a place where technology serves people and society. Learn more about the Brainport region here.

Information

Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more?
Please contact the hiring manager Prof. Martin van Sint Annaland, m.v.sintannaland@tue.nl or +31 40 247 2241.

Visit our website for more information about the application process or the conditions of employment. You can also contact Marjolein von Reth, HR Manager, m.w.v.reth@tue.nl or +31 40 247 4195.

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

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. 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.
• Description of your scientific interests and plans (1-2 pages).
• Statement of your teaching goals and experience (1-2 pages).

Ensure that you submit all the requested application documents. Please note that incomplete applications may not be considered and could be rejected.

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.