Together with various external partners, MNEXT is working on developing sustainable, emission-free energy systems. As a junior researcher, you will contribute directly to this challenge by using your technical background to conduct practice-oriented research into new, innovative energy systems. In doing so, you will focus on the technical aspect of the research. Our partners include national government organizations, as well as SMEs, residents, municipalities, and other institutions. In this way, we address energy issues using a systemic approach.
In this research position, you will play an important role within the Smart Energy research group. Your work focuses on the technical performance of new energy technologies. You will primarily contribute to projects investigating how these technologies can be integrated into a sustainable and affordable energy system.
For example, you will be involved in ongoing initiatives such as EmPowerEd (EmPowerED: Enabling Positive Energy Districts through citizen-centered socio-technical models for upscaling of the heat transition | NWO) and FLECS (Ontwikkeling van een Flexibel Lokaal Energie & Capaciteit Systeem – OPZuid 2021-2027). Your challenge is to translate research results into practical recommendations that help industry and society adopt smarter energy solutions.
Furthermore, you will:
- Stimulate the implementation of new energy technologies by investigating their performance and feasibility in practice.
- Participate in multi-partner research projects by carrying out research tasks and realizing project goals in collaboration with project partners.
- Conduct critical analyses of new technologies to determine the state of the art and use these insights to formulate well-substantiated research questions.
- Collaborate and share knowledge with colleagues within MNEXT and with external stakeholders. You ensure a multidisciplinary approach and continuously seek alignment with industry partners, policymakers, and other research groups.
- Contribute to education within Avans by supervising students on sub-studies linked to ongoing projects and by actively participating in Learning Communities that connect students, professionals, and lecturers in the energy sector.
Your place as a junior researcher energy transition at MNEXT
You will be part of the Smart Energy research group, which currently consists of approximately 12 researchers and has the mission to make electricity grids smarter and develop energy hubs that balance the supply of renewable energy sources with energy demand and support energy conservation. To support our research and education, we have a state-of-the-art laboratory in Breda (Smart Energy Delivery Lab). Within our research group, there is ample room to show initiative and explore new ideas. At MNEXT, we work with an entrepreneurial mindset and have great ambitions. You can count on a lot of freedom and variety in your work.
If you join our team, we will provide support through a thorough onboarding process and a buddy. You will have the opportunity to attend training courses and further education to better align with the field. Together with other junior researchers, you will form a community focused on knowledge sharing, learning from one another, and inspiring one another.
We offer
An environment where you are given the freedom to discover and improve; that is how we bring out the best in you. We do this through development opportunities and numerous other attractive employment conditions.
Furthermore, we offer:
- A monthly salary of at least €3,826 to a maximum of €5,699 gross for a full-time position (scale 10 of the HBO collective labor agreement).
- A permanent position. We start with a 1-year contract.
- An end-of-year bonus, which is approximately equivalent to a thirteenth month’s salary.
- The possibility to work partly from home, giving you ample opportunity to find a good work-life balance.
- Approximately 50 days of leave per year for a full-time position and a 40-hour work week.
You bring along
A broad technical foundation and knowledge of energy systems, coupled with a strong intrinsic motivation to tackle the societal challenge we face. You are eager to get started in a diverse research role, where you simultaneously supervise students and graduating students and liaise with internal and external stakeholders. Furthermore, you are keen to continue developing yourself and enjoy sharing your knowledge with others.
In addition, you possess:
- A relevant completed HBO or WO degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or Mechatronics, or similar, supplemented by an affinity for energy technology.
- Above-average interest in and willingness to delve deeper into sustainable energy systems and energy carriers, and you are familiar with techno-economic analyses.
- Interest in or affinity with analytical tools or methods for analyzing system performance and performing techno-economic modeling.
Work at Avans
MNEXT is part of Avans University of Applied Sciences, so you will receive a contract from Avans.
Large, yet small-scale. Committed. Personal. That is Avans. Here you can be yourself. With your unique ideas and insights, you contribute to our learning and entrepreneurial character.
Avans is fully evolving from an educational institution to a knowledge institution. We are building a relevant and robust Avans that is future-proof and firmly anchored in society. We combine high-quality practice-oriented research with future-oriented and flexible education, in which students partially shape their own learning path.
Together with our lecturers, researchers, professors, and partners from the professional field, we work on solutions for societal issues and on the development of talent in our region. Students, professionals, and researchers learn together in practice. In this way, we make education more flexible and relevant, and contribute to lifelong learning.
Discover Avans as an employer via these stories.
Apply
Do you see a great role for yourself in contributing to the energy transition?
Then apply no later than June 29, 2026, via the application button. Tell us in your motivation why you are looking forward to this challenge. Do you have any substantive questions? Then please contact Mertijn Weeda, Researcher, at 06 12 71 00 27 or via l.weeda@avans.nl. We will provide you with an update regarding your application within 2 weeks after the vacancy closes.