Join us in exploring how students actually learn with AI: what competencies truly matter, and how we can assess not just answers, but thinking, reasoning, and the ownership stud bring to thier work.
Job description
AI is changing what it means to be an electrical engineer — and we think that's an exciting research questions out there right now. At TU Delft's Electrical Engineering Education (EEE) section, we're looking for a PhD researcher to dig into something that really matters: as AI tools become capable of coding, designing circuits, and processing signals, what should students actually learn, and how do we know when they've learned it?
This isn't just a theoretical exercise. AI is already reshaping engineering practice at speed — and that raises urgent questions about which competencies remain essential for critical judgement, systems thinking, and responsible decision-making, and which can be meaningfully supported by AI. Your research will help us figure out where that line is, and what it means for how we teach.
As part of our team, you'll take a fresh look at EE curricula — not just what students learn, but how they learn and how we assess their growth. A central aim of the project is to move beyond grading final outputs and start understanding what's happening in between: the reasoning, the decision-making, the creative instincts students bring when working with AI. We want to know how students think, not just what they produce.
The research is grounded in a critical thinking perspective and explores how AI shifts the balance between theory, practice, and the genuinely creative parts of engineering — design, system development, problem framing. You'll be working in our hands-on educational environments at TU Delft: labs, makerspaces, project-based courses, and real electrical engineering classrooms. You'll investigate how students interact with AI tools, how that shapes their learning behaviours and sense of agency, and how they position their own contributions relative to what the AI generates.
Methodologically, you'll combine design-based research, learning analytics, and qualitative methods to develop and test new approaches to learning and assessment — formats that make students' reasoning visible, that encourage critical engagement with AI-generated solutions, and that support reflective, responsible use of AI.
In practice, this means you'll be investigating AI use in EE learning environments, examining its impact on what competencies matter, designing and running new assessment approaches, and developing ways to evaluate students' reasoning beyond the final answer. You'll work closely with teaching staff and contribute to academic publications throughout.
What you'll help us build: new insights into how AI reshapes competencies and student agency in EE education, a clearer picture of which skills are essential versus AI-supported, and practical frameworks that align learning objectives, AI use, and assessment. Your work will shape the future of EE education at TU Delft — and contribute to leading venues in engineering education and the learning sciences.
If you're curious about education, excited by the possibilities (and the risks) of AI in engineering, and want your research to have real impact on how the next generation of engineers is trained — we'd love to have you with us.
Job requirements
You have:
- A Bachelors degree in engineering, education, learning sciences, or a related field.
- A Master’s degree in engineering, education, learning sciences, or a related field.
- A strong interest in electrical engineering education, learning processes, and the role of AI in education.
- Affinity with both technical and educational research (e.g., AI, data analysis, or learning sciences).
- Experience with qualitative and/or quantitative research methods.
- Strong analytical, communication, and collaboration skills.
- Excellent command of English.
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 of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science
The Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EEMCS) brings together three scientific disciplines. Combined, they reinforce each other and are the driving force behind the technology we all use in our daily lives. Technology such as the electricity grid, which our faculty is helping to make completely sustainable and future-proof. At the same time, we are developing the chips and sensors of the future, whilst also setting the foundations for the software technologies to run on this new generation of equipment – which of course includes AI. Meanwhile we are pushing the limits of applied mathematics, for example mapping out disease processes using single cell data, and using mathematics to simulate gigantic ash plumes after a volcanic eruption. In other words: there is plenty of room at the faculty for ground-breaking research. We educate innovative engineers and have excellent labs and facilities that underline our strong international position. In total, more than 1000 employees and 4,000 students work and study in this innovative environment.
Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science.
Conditions of employment
Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1,5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months. Followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2,5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met.
Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from €3059 - €3881 gross per month, from the first year to the fourth year based on a fulltime contract (38 hours), plus 8% holiday allowance and an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%.
As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills.
The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.
Will you need to relocate to the Netherlands for this job? TU Delft is committed to make your move as smooth as possible! The HR unit, Coming to Delft Service, offers information on their website to help you prepare your relocation. In addition, Coming to Delft Service organises events to help you settle in the Netherlands, and expand your (social) network in Delft. A Dual Career Programme is available, to support your accompanying partner with their job search in the Netherlands.
Additional information
If you would like more information about this vacancy or the selection procedure, please contact Dr. Bahareh Abdi, via b.abdikivanani@tudelft.nl. The interviews are scheduled for late June, 2026. Applicants from abroad may join online.
Application procedure
Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 14 June 2026 via the application button and upload the following documents:
- CV including education, employment history, and (if available) publications
- Motivational letter (max 1 page)
- A research statement (max. 1 page) your original ideas on the subject and proposed approaches
You can address your application to Dr. Bahareh Abdi.
Doing a PhD at TU Delft requires English proficiency at a certain level to ensure that the candidate is able to communicate and interact well, participate in English-taught Doctoral Education courses, and write scientific articles and a final thesis. For more details please check the Graduate Schools Admission Requirements.
Please note:
- You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
- As part of knowledge security, TU Delft conducts a risk assessment during the recruitment of personnel. We do this, among other things, to prevent the unwanted transfer of sensitive knowledge and technology. The assessment is based on information provided by the candidates themselves, such as their motivation letter and CV, and takes place at the final stages of the selection process. When the outcome of the assessment is negative, the candidate will be informed. The processing of personal data in the context of the risk assessment is carried out on the legal basis of the GDPR: performing a public task in the public interest. You can find more information about this assessment on our website about knowledge security.
- Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.
