Job description
General
The energy transition is one of the major societal challenges humanity faces today. To support a society where sustainable energy is available anytime and anywhere, we are in urgent need of new storage materials and conversion technologies. The Thermo Fluids Engineering (TFE) cluster – which comprises the Power & Flow and Energy Technology sections – therefore conducts scientific research and education on heat & flow technologies for energy systems and high-tech applications. The Power & Flow section focuses on clean and efficient combustion and process technology, such as the conversion of future fuels (e.g., solar and metal fuels) and complex reacting multiphase flows. The Energy Technology section focuses on thermal energy storage systems, fluid-solid interactions, and cooling and separation technology. The research at TFE encompasses fundamental models based on first principles, experimental validation of these models using sophisticated measurement systems, application and lab-scale demonstrations, and predictive computational tools for practical and industrial applications.
The Department of Mechanical Engineering of the TU/e seeks to hire an outstanding faculty member at any level within the field of Thermo Fluids Engineering, who should play a prominent role in addressing the challenges and trends in the above-mentioned areas.
You can apply for a (tenure-track) assistant, associate or full professor position and are expected to have knowledge on relevant application domains. You should have the aspiration to contribute to the creation of a strong, internationally renowned research group, while fostering a collaborative network with other academics working on the topic within the department, the university and industry. You should contribute to the progress in the field of energy storage and/or conversion, to make major contributions to the fundamentals of the energy transition.
Embedding
The department fosters a personnel strategy stimulating personal growth toward faculty forming individual groups within larger coherent sections. Your group will strongly co-operate with existing groups in the department, in particular the groups within the cluster of Thermal Fluid Engineering. Depending on the research profile and function level, your group can be embedded in the Power & Flow or the Energy Technology section. Your group will be embedded in the Eindhoven Institute for Renewable Energy Systems (EIRES) within the University. Her/his group will also be embedded in research school of fluid dynamics, the J.M. Burgerscentrum.
Job requirements
We seek to appoint a scientist in the field of thermo fluids engineering, who is passionate about research as well as teaching. Current focus areas in thermo fluids engineering are new energy storage materials and conversion technologies. We welcome excellent candidates that can contribute to these areas as well as candidates that bring new research directions to the department. The working language in the department and across the university is English. There is no requirement to speak Dutch for applying for this position.
An important aspect of the TU/e’s vision on education is that research and education go hand in hand, both at the Bachelor and at the Master level. Next to your research, education is an important part of your job, e.g., problem-based learning, lectures and tutorials, practice, mentoring final projects and internships. The TU/e supports its scientific staff in further developing their teaching skills by offering a training program that leads to an official teaching certification from Dutch Universities (University Teaching Qualification).
The department’s relationship with the high-tech industry in the Brainport region means that staff and students can contribute directly to the development of technological innovations with real-world relevance. The department has produced a number of successful spin-offs, and participates in many national and international research consortia. The unique positioning in one of Europe’s leading tech regions also means excellent job opportunities for spouses. TU/e actively facilitates career opportunities for partners of successful scientists.
Furthermore, we require:
- A PhD degree/ Academic doctorate in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Applied Physics or a related discipline, with a strong publication record.
- Excellent communication, organization and leadership skills demonstrating the potential to build your own research group. For that you need to contribute to the acquisition of public and private funding.
- For associate and full professor level we require experience in pursuing research grants from different sources. Examples are national funds from the science foundations (AES, NWO) and European grants within the H2020 program, including ERC grants. Experienced section members will guide younger candidates in writing proposals.
- Strong cooperation skills and the ability to work in a team, being a good communicator and possessing didactic skills.
- You need to carry out independent research for the purpose of science, companies – where possible – government and the business sector.
- For this position you need to show scientific creativity and productivity, and provide specific guidance to the academic personnel in carrying out research.
- A successful candidate at the Associate or Full Professor level has a clear international academic reputation in the domain of thermo fluids engineering.
Conditions of employment
We offer a position in a successful and internationally-oriented department. The department has an attractive starting package for its new faculty members. The city of Eindhoven offers a relaxed, multicultural environment, high quality of life and many options for extra-curricular activities. The city has a mild climate, and it is well-connected by rail, air, and road links with major European cities. The city is at the heart of the Brainport region of The Netherlands, a region with high growth, high innovation, and many permanent employment opportunities for expats. Candidates moving to the Netherlands from abroad may qualify for a tax incentive scheme, where 30% of your income is tax free for a (maximum) period of five years.
This vacancy offers:
- A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university with the autonomy to develop your own research line and participate in the curriculum of the department.
- A Tenure Track of five years with the prospect of becoming an Associate Professor. After a maximum of four years, the tenure decision will be made. If you have a more senior profile, you will receive a tailor-made career proposal.
- As an Irène Curie Fellow, you are entitled to a substantial start-up package to boost your career.
- You will have free access to high-quality training programs for academic leadership, the university teaching qualification program, research and valorization competences, and a dedicated mentoring program to help you get to know the university and the Dutch (research) environment.
- Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labor Agreement for Dutch Universities.
- Additionally, an annual holiday allowance of 8% of the yearly salary, plus a year-end allowance of 8.3% of the annual salary.
- A broad package of fringe benefits, including an excellent technical infrastructure, moving expenses, and savings schemes.
- Family-friendly initiatives are in place, such as the Dual Career Opportunity program to support accompanying partners, an international spouse program, and excellent on-campus children daycare and sports facilities.
Information and application
Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more about our department and TFE cluster? Please visit: Mechanical Engineering Department
Questions regarding the academic content of the position can be directed to
Prof.dr.ir. Jeroen van Oijen, j.a.v.oijen[at]tue.nl.
For information about terms of employment click here or contact Elly van den Eertwegh, e.a.m.v.d.eertwegh[at]tue.nl.
Application
This vacancy is part of the Irène Curie Fellowship and is currently only open for female candidates. Male applicants will not be considered for the position.
We invite you to submit a complete application by using the ‘apply now’-button on this page.
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.
- List of five self-selected ‘best publications’.
- Description of your scientific interests and plans (1-2 pages).
- Statement of your teaching goals and experience (1-2 pages).
We look forward to your application and will screen it as soon as we have received it. Screening will continue until the position has been filled.
The Irène Curie Fellowship program is dedicated to reach at least 30% female researchers among TU/e’s permanent academic staff by 2024 and contributes to the societal goal of promoting equal opportunities and a society in which everyone’s abilities are utilized. It has been endorsed by the Netherlands Institute for Human Rights in March 2021.