Royal Honour for Jan Post

On Friday 13 November, Prof. Dr. Ing. Jan Post was presented with a Royal Honour, to mark his retirement earlier this year. Post (Utrecht, 1960) is an honorary professor of Digital Manufacturing at the Faculty of Science & Engineering at the University of Groningen and head of Strategic Partnerships at Philips Personal Care in Drachten. He received the insignia associated with the rank of Knight in the Order of Orange Nassau from Mayor S.A.E. Poepjes of the municipality of Olst-Wijhe.

A friendly professor with a strategic mind

A professor dressed in casual clothes, who, with one hand in his pocket and a genuine smile on his face, plays a key role in everything he does. That is Jan Post through and through. Whether it’s his research into materials science, his involvement in numerous regional, national and international partnerships, or his commitment to students: no one can ignore Jan Post. Whatever the issue, he won’t rest until he has found a solution. Behind his sense of humour and approachability lies the strategic mind of a man who can switch seamlessly from grand visions to operational steps. A plan is only valuable if it results in a concrete project with clear objectives, transparent funding and a realistic path to implementation. As a true bridgebuilder, he is, above all, always on the lookout for suitable partners to collaborate with. Today, when public-private partnerships are essential for tackling societal challenges, he epitomizes the very essence of leadership in innovation.

A pioneer in his field

In the scientific field, Post is a pioneer in the areas of digital fabrication and computer-controlled mechanics. It is a field in which he has consistently emphasised the relationship between theory and practice. For example, in collaboration with industrial partners such as Philips Drachten, he succeeded in developing advanced computer models that predict how materials transform during production processes. His research has yielded tangible solutions, enabling factories to operate more intelligently, efficiently and flexibly. He has also developed various digital twin concepts, which make it possible to test factory processes before they are implemented in the real world. Over time, he has come to focus on sustainability and the energy transition. For example, he was involved in the ‘Growing with Green Steel’ Growth Fund programme, in which he brought together various parties to contribute their knowledge and expertise to the development of sustainably produced steel.

A driving force behind public-private partnerships

Post has always sought to strengthen the link between the university and the region by translating scientific solutions into practical applications for the business community and through public-private partnerships. He himself describes the challenges facing industry in the Northern Netherlands as ‘the perfect storm’: due to the combination of urgent circular, energy and digital transitions, alongside labour shortages and international competition, more needs to be achieved with fewer people. To achieve this, challenges must not be viewed in isolation but approached and tackled in a coherent and collaborative manner. For instance, he played a leading role in the establishment of the Region of Smart Factories (RoSF), the first Smart Industry Fieldlab in the Netherlands, in which more than twenty knowledge institutions and companies collaborate to promote innovation in the manufacturing industry. Furthermore, under his leadership, the AI Hub Noord-Nederland has grown into one of the country’s best-performing hubs. It functions as a knowledge centre, a connector and a catalyst for new business activity involving AI. With his clear vision on the innovation and adoption of the responsible use of artificial intelligence, he has made a lasting difference to the technical industry in the Netherlands.

Impact on European innovation

At European level, Post was active in the fields of innovation and research. For example, he was a member of the Expert Committee on European Grants at the Northern Netherlands Partnership (SNN), where he not only assessed the substance of proposals but also advised on how they could be made more focused, promising and impactful. He also served as an adviser to the Northern Netherlands Social and Economic Council (SER) on industrial matters. Among other things, he advised on the development of the smart manufacturing industry in the north, emphasising that innovation must be accessible to the entire sector.

Practical experience in education

In the field of education, Post has made a name for himself in particular as the driving force behind the modernisation of technical and scientific education, for example through the two-year HTSM Honours Programme for talented students. He has ensured that these students can gain practical experience by tackling complex real-world problems from the high-tech industry. He was also closely involved in the launch and development of the Master’s programme in Mechanical Engineering. Students appreciate his personal commitment and praise his patience and trust. For many, he has been not only a mentor but a pillar of support. His personal approach has produced a new generation of researchers and engineers who are making a significant contribution to the region’s capacity for innovation.

A love for skûtsjes: flatbottomed Frisian boats

Alongside his impressive career, Post also found time for voluntary work. He is wholeheartedly committed to the preservation of cultural heritage and has been involved with the historic Philips Skûtsje ’t Halve Maen for many years. He served in the organization and introduced technical innovations on board, ensuring that this historic ship can continue to sail safely and in a modern manner. He involved his students in the maintenance work and invited them to sail along during the ship’s annual participation in the Skûtsjesilen (the sailing event). Post has demonstrated that technology and tradition can go hand in hand and has made a major contribution to the preservation of this cultural heritage in the Dutch province of Frisia.