Assistant Professor In Explainable Networked Systems

Introduction

Do you have a passion for computer systems and explainable AI, especially for resource‑limited embedded systems? Are you driven to make intelligent networked systems more transparent and trustworthy? Then you may be exactly the candidate we are looking for.

Job Description

You will join the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science (M&CS). With over 140 (assistant, associate and full) professors, almost 250 PhD and EngD students, nearly 3000 students, M&CS is the largest department of the TU/e. By performing top-level fundamental and applied research, and maintaining strong ties with industry, M&CS aims to contribute to science and innovation in and beyond the region.

The Interconnected Resource-aware Intelligent Systems (IRIS) cluster within this department is looking for a full-time assistant professor, who will address the challenges related to the design, the development and the maintenance for the next generation of explainable, transparent, and trustworthy networked embedded systems.

Explainable networked (embedded) systems, such as autonomous vehicles, smart energy infrastructures, and industrial IoT platforms, increasingly make autonomous or semi-autonomous decisions. The ability to understand why a system behaves in a certain way becomes critical for safety, certification, debugging, and user acceptance. Explainability ensures that complex interactions between distributed components remain interpretable, enabling engineers to trace decisions, identify anomalies, control quality, and design systems that behave reliably even under uncertainty. As an assistant professor you will focus on advancing techniques that make embedded intelligence understandable, from communication protocols that preserve contextual information to algorithms capable of producing human-interpretable outputs. You will explore explainability across embedded network–software boundaries, ensuring that distributed components, sensing/actuation pipelines, and decision‑making algorithms remain transparent and traceable.

IRIS research is performed in the context of various application domains including automotive, smart industry, predictive maintenance, logistics, smart cities, health and wellbeing, and intelligent lighting. The industrial applications and collaborations inspire IRIS in its research and ensure that its research outcome remains as close as possible to real-world problems and has economic and societal impacts.

In this role, you will contribute to the ambition of the Beethoven program to educate top talent and strengthen research across the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).

Job Requirements

• Motivated researcher with a PhD in Computer Science, Data Science, or Electrical Engineering, a strong publication record in the area of explainable AI and its applications to computer networks and systems, outstanding research achievements, complemented by indicators of international recognition such as invited talks and service on PC, TPC, and/or editorial boards;
• At least 2-3 years of academic work experience after obtaining PhD;
• Ability to conduct high quality academic research, reflected by publications in top venue;
• Motivated to teach, contribute to teaching processes, and develop excellent teaching skills;
• Strong cooperation skills and ability to work in an interdisciplinary team;
• Effective communication and leadership skills, including coaching and mentoring of students, and leading a project;
• 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. For an Assistant Professor this is (scale 11) min. € 4.728,- max. € 6.433,- gross per month (on a full-time basis).  
• 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.
• A Development Track with the prospect of becoming an Associate Professor. If you have a more senior profile, a tailor-made career proposal will be considered.
• 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.

On our website you can discover even more information about our conditions of employment. Build on your career at TU/e!

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 secretary of the IRIS cluster at wsinsan@tue.nl or +31 40 247 2973.

Visit our website for more information about the application process. You can also contact Annette van Kamp-Rustenburg, Senior Recruiter, a.j.v.kamp.rustenburg1@tue.nl or +31 6 3936 6434.

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.

We look forward to receiving your application before April 30, 2026. 

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

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. 

We look forward to receiving your application and will review it once the vacancy has closed.

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.