Postdoctoral Researcher - Design Thinking for AI (DT4AI)

Postdoctoral Researcher - Design Thinking for AI (DT4AI)

Are you interested in combining research, teaching, and real impact on how students learn AI? Apply at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.

Deadline 27 Feb ’26 • Published 1 Feb ’26 • Vacancy ID 5323

Overview

We are building a practical, human-centred way for universities to teach AI through design thinking. As our Postdoc, you will lead the Europe-wide piloting and evaluation of this new teaching programme and help embed it in real courses.

Responsibilities

• Run educator pilots: co-design and deliver trial sessions with university teachers; collect feedback from students and staff.
• Test and improve the toolkit: evaluate lesson plans, cases, and short learning videos; turn findings into actionable improvements.
• Analyse & report: use mixed methods (surveys, interviews, usability tests) to produce concise, evidence-based reports and practical guidance for lecturers.
• Share results: organise and contribute to outreach (e.g., KIN Talks, breakfast sessions, short articles, social posts) and maintain clear project documentation.

Your teaching (30%)

• Teach and co-develop courses in our MSc Digital Business & Innovation and related programmes (topics like AI in business, design thinking, digital innovation).
• Supervise theses at Bachelor/Master level and contribute to assessment and course improvement.
• Bring project insights into the classroom, ensuring students learn hands-on, responsible ways to apply AI.

Requirements

• PhD (or very near completion) in Information Systems or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated interest in AI + design thinking and human-centred digital innovation in education or organisations.
• Strong skills in facilitation (running workshops/classes), evaluation (survey design, interviews/focus groups, usability), and synthesis (turning data into practical guidance).
• Excellent project coordination and communication in multi-partner settings; proactive and organised.
• Strong academic writing; a publication track record or clear potential.
• Fluent in English; Dutch is a plus

Conditions of employment

Fixed-term contract: 1 year.

A challenging position in a socially engaged organisation. At VU Amsterdam, you contribute to education, research and service for a better world. And that is valuable. So in return for your efforts, we offer you:

• a salary of minimum € 3.546,00 (Scale 10) and maximum € 4.412,- (Scale 10) gross per month, on a full-time basis. This is based on UFO profile Researcher 4. The exact salary depends on your education and experience.
• a position for at least 1 FTE. (70% research and 30% teaching) Your employment contract will initially last 1 year.

We also offer you attractive fringe benefits and regulations. Some examples:

• A full-time 38-hour working week comes with a holiday leave entitlement of 232 hours per year. If you choose to work 40 hours, you have 96 extra holiday leave hours on an annual basis. For part-timers, this is calculated pro rata.
• 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus
• solid pension scheme (ABP)
• contribution to commuting expenses
• a wide range of sports facilities which staff may use at a modest charge

Employer

KIN – KIN Center for Digital Innovation (KIN) is a department of the School of Business and Economics at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. KIN researchers study the development, use, and business value of innovative organizational processes and technologies. Our research contributes to an international, multidisciplinary field. We collaborate with other universities and a broad network of business partners. KIN also contributes to courses and minors in the Business Administration curricula and facilitates the MSc Digital Business and Innovation. Researchers at KIN regularly publish in leading journals.

School of Business and Economics (SBE) at VU Amsterdam focuses on socially relevant teaching and research in business administration and economics, addressing real-life issues from robotics to big data and from job market participation to change management.

We welcome diverse backgrounds and international perspectives and strive for an inclusive community. Join SBE to work in a stimulating environment with motivated colleagues dedicated to helping society make informed choices. SBE employs ~600 staff, ~7,250 students in Bachelor’s and Master’s programs, and ~1,700 executive students.

Additional information

Are you interested in this position? Please submit the following documents as PDF:

• a cover letter (max. 2 pages) explaining your fit and motivation;
• a CV including publications;
• one representative paper (published or working);
• a brief teaching statement (max. 1 page) and, if available, teaching evaluations

Submitting a diploma is part of the application process.

Applications received by e-mail will not be considered.

Acquisition in response to this advertisement is not appreciated.

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