Billions of mobile devices mean unprecedented computing power and a surge in generated data. And whoever ‘owns’ the data, can build better and more personalised services using machine learning. With all the inherent privacy risks and massive data breaches as a result. At TU Delft’s Tribler Lab, we want users to take back control and take Tech Giants out of the equation to drive societal benefits of machine learning. As a PhD candidate you will show the viability of decentralised machine learning. Are you ready for applied research, building an alternative to the likes of YouTube and TikTok that could potentially benefit billions of users?

Although federated learning is a step in the right direction, you will take decentralised machine learning even further, eliminating servers and harnessing the massive computing power available. Your research will be geared to putting the system architecture in place, and you will build a video search engine to show it works. The spadework has been done by the team that has created Tribler. Thanks to well over two million users, you have access to a sizable user base and data. In addition, you will coach master students and participate in relevant communities, possibly even attend and speak at conferences.

Your home base with be our twelve-strong, internationally diverse team of developers, postdocs, PhD candidates, academic staff and ethicist. Embracing the principles of fairness, openness and democracy, we share a mission to transform the Internet into a global brain for the benefit of all mankind. We conduct fully funded and groundbreaking research, covering topics like the digital European passport and the digital euro. You’ll be joining a group of peers trained in computer science, which makes for riveting sparring and knowledge sharing. Fostering a highly collaborative and friendly atmosphere, we will give you all the support you need to develop and grow.

You thrive on bridging research and the development of groundbreaking architecture, potentially benefiting billions of users. Your scientific writing skills are well honed. And although you don’t need to be an extrovert networker, you do know how to collaborate with the developers in your team. You get the freedom to take decisions, but understand the importance of first discussing your ideas and initiatives with your fellow team members, to ensure our research stays aligned.

You also have:

• An MSc in Computer Science, and in your master thesis work you have preferably focused on distributed systems or a broader systems-oriented subject.
• The ability to engineer operational systems.
• Experience with GitHub open source projects.
• A good command of spoken and written English, as you’ll be working in an internationally diverse community.

Doing a PhD at TU Delft requires English proficiency at a certain level to ensure that the candidate is able to communicate and interact well, participate in English-taught Doctoral Education courses, and write scientific articles and a final thesis. For more details please check the Graduate Schools Admission Requirements.

Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1,5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months. Followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2,5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from € 2541 per month in the first year to € 3247 in the fourth year. As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills.

The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance and sport memberships, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.

For international applicants, TU Delft has the Coming to Delft Service. This service provides information for new international employees to help you prepare the relocation and to settle in the Netherlands. The Coming to Delft Service offers a Dual Career Programme for partners and they organise events to expand your (social) network.

Delft University of Technology

Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context.

At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.

Challenge. Change. Impact!

Faculty Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science

The Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EEMCS) brings together three scientific disciplines. Combined, they reinforce each other and are the driving force behind the technology we all use in our daily lives. Technology such as the electricity grid, which our faculty is helping to make completely sustainable and future-proof. At the same time, we are developing the chips and sensors of the future, whilst also setting the foundations for the software technologies to run on this new generation of equipment – which of course includes AI. Meanwhile we are pushing the limits of applied mathematics, for example mapping out disease processes using single cell data, and using mathematics to simulate gigantic ash plumes after a volcanic eruption. In other words: there is plenty of room at the faculty for ground-breaking research. We educate innovative engineers and have excellent labs and facilities that underline our strong international position. In total, more than 1000 employees and 4,000 students work and study in this innovative environment.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science.