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TheDECIDEproject is a large-scale, NWO-funded research initiative under the Dutch Research Agenda (NWA). It brings together10 Dutch universities, over50 academic researchers, and30 societal partnersin an ambitious inter- and transdisciplinary collaboration. Our shared mission is todevelop strategies towards thedesign and implement a new generation oftransparent, citizen-empoweringAI systems, with afocus onAI-supported decision-makingthatcontribute tothe empowermentand democratic participationof citizens.
The project addresses real-world challenges across domains such ashealthcare, mobility,public governance, and healthy lifestyles.By co-developing strategies with societal stakeholders, DECIDE aims to create solutions that havetangibleimpact on society.
Your Role as a PhD student
As a PhD candidate, you will be part ofamultidisciplinary team of PhD studentsandbecome part ofavibrant inter- and transdisciplinary research community. You will:
- Collaborating across disciplines and with societal stakeholders to achievereal-world impact.
- Participatein joint training programs oninterdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research methods, citizen engagement, andethical AI.
- Contribute tocutting-edgeresearch that bridges theory and practice.
Project structure
DECIDEis organizedinto10 work packages(WPs):
- SixWPs focus ondisciplinaryperspectivesinpsychology, education, computer sciences, law, and philosophy.
- FourWPs addresscitizen-empowerment-scenarios(CES)inhealthcare, mobility, public governance, andhealthy living.
EachPhD position is embedded in onework packageandsupervised by amultidisciplinary team of academic and societalexperts.Detailed descriptions of theworkpackagesand their interconnections are availableon the DECIDE website .
We arelooking foran excellent and enthusiasticPhD researcherto join the DECIDE project at theUniversity of Twente. Your research will focus onthe work package that is dedicated to Education. In your project, you will collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of teachers to design, implement, and evaluate an educational program that fosters a new type of AI literacy in university students. The instructional approach that will be used is Challenge-Based Learning (CBL) in which multi-disciplinary teams of students learn by conducting research and design projects on a societal problem in collaboration with stakeholders.
Your educational design research will be supervised by the section of Instructional Technology (IST), while the design and implementation of the educational program will be supervised by the Philosophy section of the BMS faculty. Additionally, you will be part of the multi-disciplinary team of participants in this work package.
In this project, you will participate in a Professional Learning Community of teachers and educational specialists from Universities of Applied Sciences (Hogeschool Saxion, Hogeschool van Amsterdam), Vocational Education (ROC van Twente, ROC van Amsterdam) and Kohnstamm Institute, who aim at mutual exchange of experiences and instructional materials targeting the design of educational programs on AI literacy in different professional settings.
As part of your role, you will:
- Conduct original design-based research within the field of education, resulting in a PhD thesis.
- Collaborate with other PhD candidates, postdocs, and societal partners across the consortium, including participation in the Professional Learning Community.
- Participate inDECIDE training programs, workshops, and summer schools, and participate in the Twente Graduate School.
- Gain practical experience in large-scale open-source AI software projects, such as ASReview.
- Engage in interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary activities,includingcitizen science and co-design initiatives.
You are/have:
- AMaster’sdegree inEducational Design, Educational Science, or a related field with demonstrable interest and experience in education;
- Affinity with AI and AI literacy;
- Interest to foster science-literacy and citizenship using AI-tools in the educational program that will be developed;
- Strong interest in interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research;
- Strong critical thinking and reflection skills;
- Strong ability to collaborate and communicate in multi-disciplinary teams;
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multi-stakeholder environment;
- Excellent communication skills andproficiencyin English (C1 or C2);
- A good command of the Dutch language is considered a plus.
We encourage a high level of responsibility and independence, while collaborating with colleagues, researchers, other university staff, and partners. We comply with the terms and conditions of employment set out in the Dutch Collective Labor Agreement for Universities (CAO). Our offer includes: a full-time, four-year PhD position with a qualification evaluation in the first year; excellent supervision in a stimulating research environment with excellent facilities; and a personal development program within the Twente Graduate School. It also includes:
- A gross monthly salary of €3,059 in the first year, rising each year to €3,881 in the fourth year;
- Excellent secondary employment conditions, including a vacation allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary, an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%, and a good pension scheme;
- 29 vacation days per year for full-time employment;
- A training program as part of the Twente Graduate School, in which you and your supervisors draw up a plan for appropriate training and supervision;
- A green campus with free access to sports facilities and an international scientific community;
- A family-friendly institution that offers parental leave (both paid and unpaid);
- Full employee status at the University of Twente (UT), including pension, healthcare, and favorable secondary employment conditions as laid down in the CAO-NU collective labor agreement for Dutch universities.
Additional information regarding the position can be obtained from Prof. Dr. Mieke Boon (m.boon@utwente.nl ) or Prof. Dr. Tessa Eysink (t.h.s.eysink@utwente.nl ). Please submit your application online by filling in the form (choose ‘apply now’), no later than March 6, 2026.
Pleasesubmit:
- A motivation letter explaining your interest, motivation, and fit for this position;
Screening is part of the application process.
About the departmentThe section of Instructional Technology (IST) is part of the department of Learning, Data analytics and Technology (LDT) within the Faculty of Behavioural, Management and Social sciences (BMS) of the University of Twente (UT). Research at IST is situated at the intersection of educational psychology, instructional design, and educational technology. More information about IST is available on the website
About the organisationAt the Faculty of Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences (BMS), we unite the worlds of people and technology to address today’s complex societal challenges. We are passionate about understanding human behaviour, fostering responsible innovation, and designing solutions that create societal value. Our educational programmes span disciplines such as Psychology, Business Administration, Public Administration, Communication Sciences, Philosophy, Educational Sciences, and Health Sciences. Through our bachelor’s and master’s degrees, Professional Learning & Development programmes, and interdisciplinary research themes – including Emerging Technologies & Societal Transformations, Resilience, Smart Industry, Learning, and Health – we empower students and researchers to make a positive societal impact.
At BMS, we combine critical thinking with practical action. From advancing sustainable mobility with innovations like the world’s most efficient hydrogen car to shaping policies that promote digital inclusion, our work contributes to a healthier, fairer, and more sustainable future. Whether it’s exploring how technology influences human behaviour or leveraging data and innovation to transform industries and communities, we ensure that technology serves people – and not the other way around.
As an employer, BMS offers a vibrant, inclusive, and entrepreneurial environment where you can thrive personally and professionally. Join us and become part of a forward-thinking community that equips you to shape the future – for yourself and society. With us, you will become part of a leading technical university with increasing, positive social impact.
Job detailsTitle
PhD position in Education in AI and science literacy
Published
2026-02-18
#J-18808-Ljbffr€3059 - €3881 monthly