A 4-year PhD candidate position is available in the research group of Vasiliki Giagka, Department of Microelectronics, Delft University of Technology, the Netherlands.

The long-term goal of our research is to develop neural interfaces that can interact with neural tissue using a variety of modalities (electrical, ultrasound, optical) to increase the specificity of neural interaction. Eventually we aim at developing active neural interfaces that are long-lived and autonomous, and can be used for answering fundamental neuroscientific questions or deliver personalized therapy.

The successful applicant will be embarking on a new project in which multimodal electrophysiology will be used as a means to create a fundamental understanding of neural interaction. State-of-the-art equipment, including multichannel neurostimulator and recording setups, microscopy and ultrasound experimental platforms, as well as, cell culture facilities are available in our department. To be successful in this project it is foreseen that you will need to combine these into novel tailored in vitro setups, trained on performing in vitro experiments and expand your knowledge into various mechanisms of neural activation.

You will be embedded in the multidisciplinary Implantable Bioelectronics research team at TU Delft, and you will collaborate with other PhD candidates and Postdocs working on several aspects of active neural implants, allowing you to expand the scope of your research project. Last but not least, you will be part of the vibrant environment of young researchers of the 10-year-long Dutch Brain Interfaces Initiative (DBI2) project, funded by the “Gravitation” programme of the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science. The project aims to bring together a broad and diverse Dutch consortium with expertise in neuroscience, neurotechnology and computer science to research brain interactions, specifically looking into understanding how each part, from neuron to brain region, interacts with the rest of the brain and with the outside world.

We are looking for a highly motivated and goal-oriented Ph.D. candidate with a background on bioelectricity, electrophysiology, (bio)physics and similar fields. You have a strong research mindset and are ambitious to create an excellent academic track record, reflected by peer-reviewed journal publications, conference contributions, and international research experience. You have excellent communication skills and the ability to work in a collaborative team setting. You show a problem-solving attitude, a hands-on approach, good technical skiils and a strong desire to create fundamental understanding while staying up-to-date with recent advancements. You are able to work independently and are eager to take initiative and responsibility as required by this project. You are structured, disciplined, methodological and team-oriented, as required to conduct in vitro work. An affinity for working at the interface with other disciplines (neuroscience, electronics, biomedical signal processing, etc.) and with clinicians and medical researchers is required for this project, together with very good English communication skills. In case your profile does not meet all aforementioned requirements but you still feel you are a good fit for this vacancy please do not hesitate to apply.

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.