Assistant Professor in Real Time Monitoring of Engineering Structures (academic career track)

The contemporary civil engineering structures are subject to intense dynamic loading. Railway structures are excited by heavy freight trains and high-speed passenger trains, pavement structures and bridges are in intense interaction with traffic, rapidly growing offshore wind structures are subject to huge wind and significant wave loads, etc. The dynamic interaction between loads and structures is strongly nonlinear and time variant. Vibrations and wave processes, which are generated in the course of such interactions, lead to fatigue and, occasionally, failure of structures.

In order to prolong the service life of structures and minimize the risk of failure, a new generation of highly sensitive, robust, non-contact and multi-physics-based sensors are being developed and applied in parallel with the advance of real-time monitoring methods. The real-time monitoring of engineering structures requires expertise in advanced sensor technology, material behaviour under sever loads and in-depth knowledge of the challenging environments in which the sensors need to function during production, construction and service life.

To address the above challenges, the Engineering Structure Department of TU Delft is looking for an assistant professor (Academic Career Track), with excellent scientific track record in the development and/or adaptation of new sensor technologies applicable to engineering structures. In addition, knowledge of methods for signal-conditioning, data transmission, identification of anomalies, signal de-noising and sensor fusion, is desirable.

The successful candidate is expected to contribute to the initiation, acquisition, and execution of research projects and to the supervision of PhD and MSc students. Cooperation with other members of the scientific staff and establishing relationships with the relevant industrial parties are important. A due contribution to teaching at the MSc and BSc levels is also envisaged.

The position is open at the Department of Engineering Structures of the Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences of TU Delft. The department offers a lively and dynamic, international research and education environment.

The research focus of the department is placed on the investigation and development of resilient, smart and sustainable structures and infrastructures as well as on the structures for energy transition. Within these main themes research is carried out into the dynamics of structures, mechanics of materials related to e.g. climate change, modelling and design of railway systems, multi-scale modelling of pavement materials and structures, reuse of materials, structures and parts of structures, assessment methods for structures, smart monitoring techniques, design methods, replacement and renovation of civil infrastructure and development of new materials and maintenance techniques. The groups are using the unique Macro Mechanics Laboratory for full scale testing, monitoring and modelling of structures to facilitate implementation of innovations. The Department delivers a large number of courses both at the BSc and MSc level.

Our future colleague holds a PhD degree in Civil or Mechanical Engineering or in another relevant discipline. A good knowledge of existing and emerging sensing technologies suitable for health monitoring of engineering structures and experimental skills are expected.

You are able to demonstrate research potential and have published in leading international scientific journals. Part of the Academic Career Track is also to demonstrate a good capability in initiation of innovative research programs and acquisition of funding.

Furthermore, you have good teaching skills; you make use of your knowledge as well as of your personality. Experience in teaching is considered an advantage. We also value organizational and leadership skills and an open personality.

This position is offered as an Academic Career Track position (0.8 – 1.0 FTE). During the Academic Career Track, we expect you to grow towards an Associate Professor position within a maximum of eight years, for which a position will be available.

With other Academic Career Track colleagues, you will participate in the Academic Career Track Development programme, where you are offered ample opportunities to develop yourself in the areas of Education, Research, Societal Impact & Innovation, and Leadership & Organisation. You will regularly discuss your development and results with senior staff based on a personalized development and performance criteria agreed upon at the start of your Academic Career Track.

You will start with a temporary contract that will be converted to a permanent contract no later than 12 -18 months after a positive evaluation, based on continuous confidence in your development potential and fit in the organisation.

The salary for an Academic Career Track (Assistant Professor) position is min. €4.332,- to max. €6.737,- per month gross. For exceptionally strong and experienced candidates, an Associate Professor position can be considered.
For an Associate Professor position different terms of employment apply. Depending on background and experience, the salary can range from min. € 6.002,- to max. €8.025,- per month gross. We offer an initial temporary position with the prospect of a permanent contract. The duration of the temporary position is a maximum of 1 year. After a positive performance assessment, you will be employed in a permanent Associate Professor position.

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.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities 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 and you can work partly from home

For international applicants, TU Delft has the Coming to Delft Service. This service addresses the needs of new international employees and those of their partners and families. The Coming to Delft Service offers personalised assistance during the preparation of the relocation, finding housing and schools for children (if applicable). In addition, a Dual Career Programme for partners is offered. The Coming to Delft Service will do their best to help you settle in the Netherlands.

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!

The Faculty of Civil Engineering & Geosciences (CEG) is committed to outstanding international research and education in the field of civil engineering, applied earth sciences, traffic and transport, water technology, and delta technology. Our research feeds into our educational programmes and covers societal challenges such as climate change, energy transition, resource availability, urbanisation and clean water. Our research projects are conducted in close cooperation with a wide range of research institutions. CEG is convinced of the importance of open science and supports its scientists in integrating open science in their research practice. The Faculty of CEG comprises 28 research groups in the following seven departments: Materials Mechanics Management & Design, Engineering Structures, Geoscience and Engineering, Geoscience and Remote Sensing, Transport & Planning, Hydraulic Engineering and Water Management.

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