PhD position: Development of a work-place curriculum for the efficient training of heat pump installers

Job description

This project aims at effective up- and reskilling of heat pump installers through the  development of a technology-enhanced workplace learning curriculum. The ideal candidate should possess an interest in co-creating knowledge and solutions with future installers, their companies and the project partners, such as RWTH Aachen University and the European Heat Pump Association. This endeavour requires combining scientific rigor with a participatory design approach to make conceptual and practical contributions to an educational challenge in the energy transition.

HeatcraftHP Project Summary

The specialized craft of installing, maintaining, and optimizing heat pumps demands extensive knowledge and skills to attain peak performance and guarantee the system’s reliability. With a shortfall of over 500,000 skilled craftsmen in Europe's heat pump sector, the primary goal of the HeatCraftHP project is to identify the skill set crucial for proficient heat pump installation and troubleshooting. This involves 1) mapping the essential skills, 2) identifying skills gaps for current and potential future workforce groups with a specific focus on female workers, and 3) develop programs for up- and reskilling to bridge these gaps effectively. For effective up- and reskilling, we develop a comprehensive and tailored program where learning activities are integrated in daily work activities. This workplace learning curriculum will seamlessly blend succinct theoretical elements with immediate practical applications, fostering learning transfer. By integrating interactive game-based learning elements, such as a heat pump simulator, troubleshooting simulator, and system integration tool, our objective is to equip craftsmen as well as craft women with fundamental knowledge and skills essential for designing and integrating heat pumps into existing heating systems. This integration in and troubleshooting of hybrid systems is the challenge that will prevent or promote effectivity of heat pumps and their large-scale adoption of heat pumps and hence is in focus of our workplace learning curriculum with its materials and tools. Our approach not only seeks to elevate future workforce groups’ existing knowledge and skills but also ensures that future heat pump installations benefit from both, enhanced reliability and superior performance. The overarching objective of the initiative is to address the escalating educational needs of craftsmen in the heat pump sector, ultimately advancing the efficiency and effectiveness of these crucial systems throughout Europe.

Your job

We are seeking a motivated PhD student to join an innovative, interdisciplinary project at the intersection of science and practice. Your primary focus will be on enhancing the skillset required for sophisticated heat pump installations and translating these insights into an effective workplace learning environment. This involves determining training needs of different profiles of future heat pump installers and then understanding as well as supporting their learning processes, formally in trainings as well as informally interwoven in the daily work practice, and.

Key responsibilities include the lead of a design-based research project to develop a workplace learning curriculum including online training courses and learning tools (e.g., web quizzes or VR simulations). This research includes conducting stakeholder interviews, applying collaborative design methods, designing early prototypes, and planning field studies, for example. You will have the opportunity to work independently on your research, while actively collaborating with other researchers within our EU-funded project.

Your role will also require you to communicate your findings effectively to both scientific and non-scientific audiences. This includes presenting at scientific conferences, publishing in academic journals, and engaging with software development communities during project meetings.

Your profile

• Because the position is interdisciplinary between Educational Sciences and Mechanical Engineering, we are seeking for a candidate that meets the requirements in one of the fields and is interested in developing the required skillset on the counter side.
• You have a MSc degree (or close to completion) in either Mechanical Engineering or Educational Sciences, depending on your background, you will acquire and develop the complementary skillset in the other field;
• You have expertise or demonstrable interest in the process of continuous workplace learning;
• You have a background in thermodynamics and heat transfer with a high interest in teaching activities
• You have strong methodological knowledge, the project will contain a mix of qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, and design-based research;
• You should be able to connect with members of a software development team as well as the project’s stakeholders, and link your research to their values and interests;
• You have good social and communication skills in academic as well as non-academic contexts;
• You have excellent speaking and academic writing skills in English; being able to understand and communicate in Dutch or German is preferrable (please indicate your level);
• You have proven ability to work independently, but also organization and collaboration sills within a project team and with relevant stakeholders.

Our offer

• A full-time 4-year PhD position;
• Excellent mentorship and a stimulating international research environment;
• A training program as part of the Twente Graduate School where you and your supervisors will determine a plan for a suitable education and supervision;
• A gross monthly salary ranging from € 2.872,- (first year) to € 3.670,- (fourth year);
• A holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary and a year-end bonus of 8.3%;
• Minimum of 29 holidays per year in case of fulltime employment;
• Free access to sports facilities on campus;
• We encourage a high degree of responsibility and independence, while collaborating with close colleagues, researchers and other staff;
• A stimulating and supportive research environment;
• Access to state-of-the-art laboratory facilities and equipment;
• Opportunities for professional development and training.

Information and application

Your application should include the following documents:

• a cover letter (in English) which explains your interest in the position and your qualifications for it;
• a curriculum vitae
• a copy of your Master’s thesis or, if it is not yet available, an outline and summary of your thesis.
• a short video (2-3 minutes) in which you present yourself and your motivation for the project

Applications should be uploaded via "apply now" button. Since only three documents can be uploaded per application, please combine documents if needed.

The application deadline is 30.09.2024. The first round of interviews will be held in the week of the 14.10.2024. The starting date for the position is as soon as possible.

For additional information about this position, you can contact Prof. Dr.-Ing. Wilko Rohlfs (w.rohlfs@utwente.nl), dr. Sebastian Dennerlein (s.dennerlein@utwente.nl) or prof.dr. Maaike Endedijk (m.d.endedijk@utwente.nl)

More information about the departments of Professional Learning & Technology can be found on the following website: Click here

About the organisation

The Faculty of Engineering Technology (ET) engages in education and research of Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering and Industrial Design Engineering. We enable society and industry to innovate and create value using efficient, solid and sustainable technology. We are part of a ‘people-first' university of technology, taking our place as an internationally leading center for smart production, processes and devices in five domains: Health Technology, Maintenance, Smart Regions, Smart Industry and Sustainable Resources. Our faculty is home to about 2,900 Bachelor's and Master's students, 550 employees and 150 PhD candidates. Our educational and research programmes are closely connected with UT research institutes Mesa+ Institute, TechMed Center and Digital Society Institute.