TU Delft, the Netherlands, invites applications for an Assistant/Associate Professor (tenure track) to develop new insights and models predicting motion comfort in automated driving.

Automated driving holds great promise to provide safe and sustainable transport. Automation will allow users to take their eyes off the road, freeing up time for work or leisure activities. This will require high comfort levels achieved by smooth driving styles and innovative interiors. A particular concern is “self-driving car sickness”. Drivers rarely suffer from car sickness, but sickness is reported by two-thirds of passengers during eyes off road conditions. Hence, knowledge and models of human motion comfort perception are urgently needed for human centered design of automated driving systems.

A range of theories and models associate motion sickness with motion perception and posture maintenance. Due to a multitude of factors existing models fail to predict motion comfort in automated driving. Effects of 3D motion and the modulating role of vision are not sufficiently captured. The relation between motion comfort and posture maintenance sees little empirical support. Current knowledge focusses on severe (pre-)vomiting sickness rather than the targeted high comfort levels.

The candidate is expected to develop enhanced and new experimental methods, theories and models addressing these knowledge gaps. Experimental vehicles and moving base driving simulators will be used to systematically investigate perceived comfort as a function of vehicle motion, vision, non-driving task, and seating. Together with other researchers, human motion perception models and biomechanical models will be integrated to jointly predict body motion and perceived comfort. Together with other researchers and partners the resulting insights and models will be used to design innovative control algorithms and interiors for automated vehicles, thereby contributing to societal acceptance of automated driving.

We expect you to:

• Develop, conduct and supervise high-quality academic research;
• Inspire students and PhD candidates through teaching and supervision;
• Collaborate with specialists in academia and industry in multidisciplinary projects;
• Secure external funding for research projects;
• Be an inspiring contribution to our staff. 

You should have the following qualifications:

• PhD degree in Mechanical Engineering, Neuroscience, Human Movement Sciences, or comparable studies and experience.
• Proven experience in modelling mechanical systems using time and frequency domain analysis.
• In particular we value experience in: human motion perception (vision, vestibular), postural stabilization, musculoskeletal modelling, system identification, comfort.
• Strong analytical skills and ability/interest to work at the intersection of several research domains;
• Excellent track record in scientific research, as evident from papers in international and peer-reviewed journals.
• Preferably holding at least one year of relevant experience after the PhD.

For the overall balance in the department, we especially welcome applications from female scientists.  

Fixed-term contract: 6 years.

A tenure-track position is offered for six years. In the fifth year we’ll decide if you will be offered a permanent faculty position, based on performance indicators agreed upon at the start of the appointment. We expect that you have the potential to grow towards an Associate Professor and/or Full Professor role in the future.

Inspiring, excellent education is our central aim. We expect you to obtain a University Teaching Qualification (UTQ) within three years if you have less than five years of teaching experience. This is provided by the TU Delft UTQ programme.
TU Delft sets high standards for the English competency of the teaching staff. The TU Delft offers training to improve English competency. If you do not speak Dutch, we offer courses to learn the Dutch language within three years.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (salary indication: € 3.807 - € 5.922 per month). The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, a discount on health insurance and sport memberships, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.
More senior candidates can be recruited under adapted employment and salary conditions.

For international applicants we offer the Coming to Delft Service and Partner Career Advice to assist you with your relocation. An International Children's Centre offers childcare and there is an international primary school.

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 and aim to be as inclusive as possible (see our Code of Conduct). Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale.

Challenge. Change. Impact! 

Faculty Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering

The Faculty of 3mE carries out pioneering research, leading to new fundamental insights and challenging applications in the field of mechanical engineering. From large-scale energy storage, medical instruments, control technology and robotics to smart materials, nanoscale structures and autonomous ships. The foundations and results of this research are reflected in outstanding, contemporary education, inspiring students and PhD candidates to become socially engaged and responsible engineers and scientists. The faculty of 3mE is a dynamic and innovative faculty with an international scope and high-tech lab facilities. Research and education focus on the design, manufacture, application and modification of products, materials, processes and mechanical devices, contributing to the development and growth of a sustainable society, as well as prosperity and welfare.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering. Do you want to experience working at our faculty? This video will introduce you to some of our researchers and their work.