Shape the future of robotics! TU Delft is looking for a postdoc to develop a design framework with guidelines, competences, and tools that will help robots integrate into professional work settings.
Job description
Robotic systems are rapidly moving out of controlled laboratories and industrial settings and into dynamic, socially complex professional environments. To be widely adopted, they must evolve from stand-alone technologies into integrated product-service systems-reliable, usable, maintainable, and approachable for non-expert professionals.
This postdoc position is part of a project that aims to develop a design framework for robots as commodities. Together with academic researchers, design agencies, and industry partners, you will work on translating state-of-the-art Human-Robot Interaction (HRI) knowledge into actionable design guidelines, competences, and tools for the creative industry.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Conducting industry consultations, ethnographic fieldwork, and design research to map the current landscape of robotics design practices and challenges.
- Leading hands-on case studies (with a strong focus on agritech, in collaboration with industry partner Lely) to explore and refine design methodologies.
- Developing and prototyping design tools to support creative professionals across the design process from ideation to user testing.
- Synthesising results into a coherent design framework, and disseminating outcomes through publications, workshops, and industry events.
You will be embedded in the Department of Industrial Design at TU Delft, a world leader in design research, and work closely with partners in both academia and industry. This position provides a unique opportunity to contribute to socially relevant, interdisciplinary research while shaping the future of robotics design in the Netherlands and beyond.
Job requirements
We are looking for an ambitious, independent, and collaborative postdoctoral researcher with:
- A PhD in Industrial Design, Human-Robot Interaction, Human-Computer Interaction, Design Research, or a closely related field (either completed or a defence date has been set).
- A strong research track record, demonstrated through publications, design projects, or equivalent outputs.
- Proven experience with qualitative and/or practice-based research methods (e.g., ethnography, co-design, participatory design, field studies).
- Affinity with robotics, HRI, or interactive technology design, and willingness to engage with technical as well as social aspects of robotic systems.
- Excellent communication skills, both written and spoken, in English; ability to collaborate across academic, industrial, and creative partners. Proficiency in Dutch is a welcome bonus.
- A proactive and open mindset, with the ability to connect diverse stakeholders and translate research into actionable frameworks.
TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)
Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context.
At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.
Challenge. Change. Impact!
Faculty Industrial Design Engineering
Matching the evolution of people with the speed of the revolution of technology. This is the focus of the Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering (IDE). Delft designers act as a bridge between advances in technology and the needs of people, organisations and society to create products, services and systems with purpose.
IDE is a leader in design research across the application areas of mobility, sustainability and health, as well as its development of design tools and methods. A 350-strong research team and over 2,000 students work together in our inspiring hall, labs and studios.
In close cooperation with industry, the public sector and NGOs we rehearse possible futures in research and education to design for a complex future.
here to go to the website of the Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering.
) or Dr. Ir. Nazli Cila ()
19 September 2025
via the application button and upload the following documents:- CV
- Motivational letter
Please note that the interview are plannend to be held in two rounds. The first round of interviews will be held online on Wednessday 24th of September between 09:00-12:00 CET. The second rounds of interview are held on Tuesday the 30th of September between 09:00-12:00 CET
Please note:
- A pre-employment screening can be part of the selection procedure.
- For the final candidates, a knowledge security check will be part of the application procedure. For more information on this check, please consult Chapter 8 of the . We carry out this check on the basis of legitimate interest.
- Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.