Postdoc on Enhancing the indoor environment of bedrooms to support sleep quality of persons living with dementia and their caregivers

Short introduction

The number of people with dementia is expected to continue rising due to our aging society. Sleep disturbances are highly prevalent among people with dementia significantly impacting their quality of life and also increasing informal caregivers mental and physical the context of the larger project DREAm this postdoc position will look at indoor environmental aspects and try to optimize that environment to improve the sleep quality of people with dementia and with that reduce the burden on the informal care-giver. Interested in improving the quality of life of many people Then please apply.

Job Description

We spend around one third of our time in our bedroom. A good night sleep is very important. This is certainly an issue of concern for people with dementia. Sleep disturbances are highly prevalent for this group of people and it can significantly impact their quality of life and increase the mental and physical burden of their informal care-givers. While pharmacological interventions appear to have limited effectiveness non-pharmacological interventions provide a potential avenue to manage sleep disorders in people with dementia. Although non-pharmacological technological innovations and strategies hold promise ecological validation studies remain scarce. One of these strategies refers to the indoor environment. Within the DREAm project (Dutch funded Health-Holland) the aim is to define and select strategies and validate technological solutions to reduce nighttime sleep disturbances in people with dementia thereby improving the sleep quality and life of both the person with dementia and their informal caregiver.

As member of a multi-disciplinary consortium which includes two medical universities and several industrial partners that provide technological solutions to the problem our team provides input on the indoor environment through our expertise in this field (air quality thermal comfort lighting and acoustics). Through literature review and registering daytime and night indoor room conditions and physiological parameters and perception of people with dementia and their caregivers the research should increase our understanding of the potential correlation with sleep disturbances through known indicators. Assessing the performance of interventions also focusing on improving the (local) indoor environment will be part of that. The methods for this research will mainly be desk research and (in-situ) experimentation.

As postdoc you will be positioned in both the Building Performance and Building Lighting research groups at our department under supervision of . Marcel Loomans and . Mariëlle these groups other PhD student and postdocs will be working on related issues investigating the indoor environment. Additional expertise on ventilation and general building performance is to be found within the unit BPS (Building Physics and Services) where the research groups reside. Besides being well embedded in this research environment at TU/e you will exchange information and results within the DREAm project that encompasses other researchers postdocs and PhD students.

The research groups in which you will reside are well-equipped with ample computing facilities and a state-of-the-art laboratory encompassing a large variety of measurement equipment. The groups furthermore have close contacts with the Dutch HVAC and (day)lighting industry and are frequently cooperating with other researchers both domestic and international.

Job Requirements

We are looking for excellent and highly motivated candidates with:

• a PhD degree in environmental psychology/building engineering or related disciplines preferably with a background in the topics of research (sleep quality and/or people with dementia) and an interest in both indoor environmental quality assessment and experimentation.
• the ability to work independently have strong communication skills and the attitude to participate successfully in an international and multidisciplinary research team.
• A sufficient English language level both written and spoken (C1 level) is required. Preferably a IELTS/TOEFL test proofing the required level

Any of the following could be considered an advantage and should be mentioned in the motivation letter:

• Previous experience/affinity with research in the field of indoor environment and/or sleep.
• Previous publications and scientific communications

Conditions of Employment

A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university in an interdisciplinary setting and within an international network. You will work on a beautiful green campus within walking distance of the central train addition we offer you:

• 18 months full-time (1.0 FTE) postdoctoral appointment preferably starting March 1st 2026 (flexible and open to discussion).
• Salary in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities scale 10 (min. 4241 max. 5538).
• A year-end bonus of 8.3% and annual vacation pay of 8%.
• High-quality training programs on general skills didactics and topics related to research and valorization.
• An excellent technical infrastructure on-campus childrens day care and sports facilities.
• Partially paid parental leave and an allowance for commuting working from home and internet costs.
• A TU/e Postdoc Association that helps you to build a stronger and broader academic and personal network and offers tailored support training and workshops.
• A Staff Immigration Team is available for international candidates as are a tax compensation scheme (the 30% facility) and a compensation for moving expenses.

About us

Eindhoven University of Technology is a leading international university within the Brainport region where scientific curiosity meets a hands-on mindset. We work in an open and collaborative way with high-tech industries to tackle complex societal challenges. Our responsible and respectful approach ensures impact today and in the future. TU/e is home to over 13000 students and more than 7000 staff forming a diverse and vibrant academic community.

Sustainability in its broadest definition is the cornerstone of research and education in the Department of Built Environment. We take the lead in (re)shaping the built environment to be future-proof safe healthy inclusive and respectful of planetary boundaries. We house the entire spectrum of technology engineering design and human behavior disciplines in the built environment with world-class experimental facilities at all scales. This allows us to address societal challenges from a uniquely integrated perspective.

Information

Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more Please contact the hiring managerMarcel Loomans associate professor or.

Visit our website for more information about the application process or the conditions of employment. You can also contactScott Jacops HR Advisor or.

Are you inspired and would like to know more about working at TU/e Please visit our career page.

Application

We invite you to submit a complete application using the apply-button. The application should include a:

• Cover letter in which you describe your motivation and qualifications for the position.
• Curriculum vitae including a list of your publications and the contact information of three references.

We look forward to receiving your application and will screen it as soon as possible. The vacancy will remain open until the position is filled.

Please note

• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
• A pre-employment screening (e.g. knowledge security check) can be part of the selection procedure. For more information on the knowledge security check please consult Chapter 8 of theNational Knowledge Security Guidelines.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.