Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are a diverse group of conditions that impairs approximately 1% of the children population. One of the most frequent disorders observed in children with ASD is over-or under-sensitivity to tactile stimuli. Haptic Interface Technology Lab (HITLab) is looking for a highly-motivated Research Engineer to develop a new haptic interface that could be used for diagnosis and treatment tool for touch sensitivity in children with ASD.

In this project, the possible tasks include:

• Design and evaluation of experimental setups or novel devices for delivering touch feedback
• Programming of an experimental setup for understanding touch interactions,
• Preparing and conducting research studies with human participants (possibly with children with ASD in collaboration with a nearby hospital),
• Collecting and analyzing sensor data (e.g., force sensor data, camera images),
• Assistance with organizing and using lab equipment among lab members.

The research engineer position will allow the employee to be involved in ongoing haptics research, as well as gain hands-on experience with software/ hardware systems and human-participant experiments. The concrete position and tasks are subject to discussion with interested candidates. Selected candidates can start working as soon as they are hired.

The Haptic Interface Technology Lab (HITLab) is an interdisciplinary research group led by Dr. Yasemin Vardar at the Cognitive Robotics Department of the Delft University of Technology. We aim to create natural, compelling, and customizable haptic interactions in digital environments. Our team benefits from the collaborative and interdisciplinary research environment of the Human-Robot Interaction (HRI) Section, creating versatile development opportunities. We have strong collaboration within and outside of the university. For more information, you can see our website.

We are looking for applicants who have:

• high motivation for working on an interdisciplinary research project.
• M.Sc. degree* in a related subject (Mechatronics, Robotics, Mechanical Engineering,   Electrical Engineering, Systems and Control, Biomedical Engineering or similar).
• strong academic performance in relevant bachelor's and master's courses.
• good hardware design and programming skills.
• interest in conducting academic research and publishing in peer-reviewed venues.
• good oral and written communication skills in English.

We are also interested in candidates who have:

• experience working with sensors and actuators.
• experience with signal and image processing.
• experience in conducting human-subject experiments.

* The students who are pursuing an M.Sc. degree with a planned graduation in a couple of months can also apply.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (salary indication: € 2.960,00 - € 4.670,00 per month gross). 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.

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.

Contract duration: Maximum 1 year (depending on schedule type).

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 Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering

From chip to ship. From machine to human being. From idea to solution. Driven by a deep-rooted desire to understand our environment and discover its underlying mechanisms, research and education at the 3mE faculty focusses on fundamental understanding, design, production including application and product improvement, materials, processes and (mechanical) systems.

3mE is a dynamic and innovative faculty with high-tech lab facilities and international reach. It’s a large faculty but also versatile, so we can often make unique connections by combining different disciplines. This is reflected in 3mE’s outstanding, state-of-the-art education, which trains students to become responsible and socially engaged engineers and scientists. We translate our knowledge and insights into solutions to societal issues, contributing to a sustainable society and to the development of prosperity and well-being. That is what unites us in pioneering research, inspiring education and (inter)national cooperation.

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? These videos will introduce you to some of our researchers and their work.