Key Skills

Job Description

Job Description This 30-month full-time postdoctoral position, starting in February 2027, will lead the Dutch work package and contribute to the work of an international consortium across all work packages. In this role, you will combine qualitative, quantitative and design research methods to develop and test a structured methodology for intergenerational co-design of public spaces in five European cities. The opportunity As care increasingly moves out of institutions and into communities, the neighbourhoods and public spaces around the home become part of the care ecosystem. Intergenerational contact zones can turn public spaces into everyday infrastructure for social connection, helping to counter loneliness and ageism while supporting healthier, more resilient ageing communities. DESIGN4AGES aims to develop and test a Intergenerational Co-Design Methodology for planning Intergenerational Contact Zones in European cities. The project addresses the current lack of systematic, empirically grounded methods for involving multiple generations in the collaborative design of inclusive and climate-adaptive public spaces. The methodology will be applied in both physical and virtual co-design settings to explore its feasibility, its effectiveness in fostering intergenerational collaboration, and its adaptability across cultural and urban contexts. The project conceptualises structured co-design as a mechanism for fostering empathy, creativity, a collective value-base and cooperation across age groups. The theoretical framework recognises that meaningful intergenerational encounters in urban planning processes can reduce age-based stereotypes, enhance mutual understanding and generate more innovative solutions related to healthcare transformation. The methodology will be tested in Aalborg (DK), Antwerp (BE), Lisbon (PT), Enschede (NL) and Valladolid (ES), each with distinct climatic, cultural, demographic and institutional conditions. The role You will be based at the University of Twente, within a team of interaction designers specialising in care and the engagement of older adults. The team's expertise spans co-design, systemic design and community-based participatory design. For the DESIGN4AGES project you will contribute across all work packages and play a central role in exploring co-design and collaborative practices that give individuals and communities a voice in shaping inclusive public spaces and urban policies. Key responsibilities include: Designing and operationalising the SICoD-M protocol, building on WP1 and WP2 findings, and developing participatory methods such as storytelling, collaborative mapping, role rotation, multi-sensory design and feedback loops. Leading stakeholder recruitment, including experts, community organisations and mixed-age participants across sites. Coordinating an expert Delphi study with experts across five countries to validate the protocol. Supporting pilot implementation through workshops across five cities, where mixed-age groups (18–35 and 65+) co-design local public spaces as Intergenerational Contact Zones. Overseeing data collection and data management in line with ethical and FAIR data principles. Refining the final protocol with experts based on pilot insights. Leading academic publications, including a scientific article on the pilot results, and contributing to knowledge translation activities for policy, practice and community audiences. Your profile A PhD in design, social sciences, health sciences, the built environment or a related discipline, with a focus on co-design, participatory design or product, service or system design. Familiarity with social design approaches that centre equity, inclusion and power-sharing, and experience working alongside communities to co-create socially meaningful change in public and civic contexts. Enthusiasm for participatory approaches to healthy ageing, intergenerational connection and inclusive public spaces. Strong design skills for making research tangible and engaging, such as storytelling, visual communication, prototyping and creating accessible co-design materials for participants of different ages and abilities. A theoretical grounding in design research, ethnography and fieldwork practices, with strong analytical skills for collecting, managing and processing qualitative data. A track record in mixed-methods research, including qualitative interviews, co-design tools and methods, and quantitative data analysis. Experience with Delphi or other consensus methods and Virtual Reality is an advantage. Experience recruiting and facilitating co-design activities with diverse groups, ideally including both older and younger adults, community organisations and policy stakeholders. Proven ability to work independently and within interdisciplinary and international teams, managing priorities to meet deadlines and project deliverables. Ability to communicate effectively with academic and non-academic audiences. Fluency in Dutch and English, essential for facilitating workshops at the Dutch site and collaborating with international partners. Our offer A 30-month postdoctoral position starting in February 2027 (or longer if part-time). A gross monthly salary between €4.422,- and €5.760,- depending on experience and qualifications. An annual holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary, and an annual year-end bonus of 8.3%. A minimum of 29 days of annual leave. High-quality professional and personal development programmes, including training in general skills, didactics and design research. Partially paid parental leave, and allowances for commuting, working from home and internet costs. A green campus close to Enschede, a mid-sized city with a lively cultural and social scene, set in the natural surroundings of the Twente region. Information and application Please submit your complete application by November 20, 2026 using the "Apply" button. Your application should include: A cover letter describing your motivation and qualifications for the position. A CV, including a list of your publications and/or portfolio A list of three self-selected best academic outputs Contact details of three references. Would you like to know more? Please contact Dr. Jodi Sturge, at [email protected]. However, before contacting Dr. Sturge, please note: Applications will not be pre-assessed or pre-evaluated by email. Only applications submitted through the link in this vacancy will be considered. Applications sent by email will not be considered. Applicants must hold a PhD at the start of the position. Candidates who have submitted their thesis and are awaiting a defence date are also encouraged to apply. Screening is part of the procedure About The Organisation At the Faculty of Engineering Technology (ET), we work on engineering for impact: developing smart, sustainable, human-centred and technological solutions for societal challenges. We connect fundamental education, research and practice across five core domains: Asset & Maintenance engineering, Intelligent Manufacturing Systems, Personalised Health Technology, Resilience Engineering, and Sustainable Production, Energy and Resources. We work on education and research in mechanical engineering, civil engineering and industrial design engineering. Together, we learn by making, creating, and innovating, addressing challenges in a solution-oriented way. Quality, connection and inclusivity are the foundation of our culture. In our open community, students, researchers and staff collaborate with industrial and societal partners. This enables us to develop insights, applications and solutions that add value to society.

Core Responsibilities

Lead the Dutch work package and help develop, validate, pilot, and refine a structured methodology for intergenerational co-design of inclusive public spaces across five European cities. Coordinate stakeholder recruitment and an international Delphi study, support workshops and ethical data management, and lead academic publications and knowledge translation.

Requirements

Applicants must hold a PhD by the start of the position in design, social sciences, health sciences, the built environment, or a related discipline, with a focus on co-design, participatory design, or related design practice. They should have mixed-methods research and community facilitation experience, strong qualitative and analytical skills, and fluency in Dutch and English; Delphi methods and Virtual Reality experience are advantageous.

Benefits

• Annual Holiday Allowance
• Annual Year-End Bonus
• At Least 29 Days Of Annual Leave
• Professional And Personal Development Programmes
• Partially Paid Parental Leave
• Commuting Allowance
• Work-From-Home Allowance
• Internet Cost Allowance