Are you an experienced expert in Smart Industrial Systems with over 10 years of experience in leading and inspiring multidisciplinary teams? Do you get energy from designing future-proof technological roadmaps together with industrial clusters such as TValley and BOOST, and from translating these into impactful, mission-driven innovations? Join our research group and help us become the leading institute for applied robotics and AI. Apply now!

This is what you do as Professor of Smart Industrial Systems

You will lead the Smart Industrial Systems integration research line within the SMART Mechatronics and Robotics research group—an ambitious organisation with more than 30 parallel projects, over 50 employees, and an annual turnover of €4 million. This role blends content-driven leadership with organisational responsibility: you will strengthen the group’s expertise, guide its strategic development, and ensure the financial health of the research line.

You will build and maintain a strong regional, national, and international network, actively promote the research line, acquire new projects, and translate results into sustainable impact for education, applied research, and industry. Working closely with (associate) professors, project managers, team leaders, researchers, and students, you will drive innovation, generate new practical knowledge, and nurture a cohesive, future-oriented team culture. You will collaborate closely with the group’s chair and act as the direct replacement when required.

This is where you will work

As Professor of Smart Industrial Systems at Saxion, you will work within the SMART Mechatronics and Robotics research group. This research group is part of the Life Science, Engineering and Design (LED) Academy. LED has an inspiring and effective learning, working and research environment, focused on applied technologies and recent national and international developments.

Saxion’s employment terms and conditions

Working at Saxion means working on inspiring, future-oriented education and research. You will fulfil an exciting position, working independently in a dynamic, socially relevant organisation that matters. The position provides you with plenty of opportunities to take initiative and develop.

We also offer the following:

• The following salary scale: scale 15: min € 7,357 / max € 9,544 (cao-hbo) working on a full-time basis.
• 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% year-end bonus.
• You will receive a temporary contract. Your future at Saxion is negotiable.
• A generous leave policy. For example: if you work full-time and have opted for a 40-hour week you can take 428 hours of leave annually. This means you will have 53.5 holiday leave days, including statutory holiday days and public holidays.
• Personal development: follow an inspirational webinar, workshop or training course at our internal Saxion Academy, do a career check or explore the possibilities of taking a master’s degree or PhD programme or professional doctorate.
• The Saxion Hybrid Working Package
• A comprehensive retirement plan. See the cao-hbo for more information.
• 100% allowance for travel by public transport and tax benefits on the purchase of a bicycle.

Would you like to find out more about our terms of employment? Check out our webpage.

Job requirements

We seek a professional who fits the job profile below. Does this sound like you? Then this job is ideal for you!

• A doctoral degree and over 10 years of relevant experience in Automation, Robotics, Mechatronics, Mechanical or Electrical Engineering, with strong theoretical and practical expertise in Smart Industrial Systems (e.g., automation and control, cyber-physical systems, machine learning for manufacturing).
• Proven content-driven leadership, with the ability to align research directions with market needs and educational innovation, supported by strong financial acumen to manage programs and maintain a healthy, sustainable research portfolio.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain strong networks, secure R&D projects, promote research activities through scientific and professional channels, and ensure effective valorization in education, research, and industry.
• An ambitious, inspiring, and results-oriented leadership style, capable of coaching and motivating multidisciplinary teams while nurturing a collaborative, innovative, and future-focused culture.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, enabling effective collaboration with employees, students, industry partners, and colleagues across all organizational levels.

How to apply

Feeling enthusiastic? Then apply directly for the position of using this application form.

If you have any questions about this position, Then please contact Abeje Y. Mersha – Professor of Smart Mechatronics and Robotics, telephone number +316 2233 7351, or Stephan Maathuis, Dean of the School of Life Science, Engineering & Design, telephone number +316 1372 2318.

Saxion strives to be a diverse and inclusive organisation. Feel free to apply. 

Application procedure

For your diary:

• Applications can be submitted until Sunday September 27th, 2026.
• The first job interview is on Tuesday October 06th, 2026 between 09.00-11.05.
• Finally, we schedule the second job interview (optional) and/or the employment conditions on a later time. 

Please note that this vacancy is open to both internal and external candidates. In the event of candidates with equal merit, internal candidates will be given priority.