Dementia is a leading cause of death, disability and dependency among elderly people globally. One of the pathogenic mechanisms of dementia is the small vessel disease (SVD), affecting the small vessels in the brain. Mechanical engineering can address the technological challenges in the study of such disease. In this context, we aim to develop an approach that integrates numerical modelling of blood flow with the creation of 3D printed physical models representing brain micro-vascular networks, to establish a platform for advancing our understanding of SVD and facilitating the development of innovative imaging diagnostic solutions.

The Postdoc will be jointly supervised by dr. Paola Fanzio (Department of Department of Precision and Microsystems Engineering) and dr. Selene Pirola (Department of BioMechanical Engineering) at Delft University of Technology. Dr. Fanzio has expertise in microfluidics and additive manufacturing. Dr. Pirola has expertise in cardiovascular biomechanics and modelling of cardiovascular flows.

Within this project, the Postdoc candidate is expected to operate within a multidisciplinary team of engineers, biomedical scientists, and clinicians (cardiologists, radiologists, neurologists) from Delft University of Technology and Erasmus Medical Centre (Rotterdam). The outcomes of this project will be disseminated to the scientific community and to a general audience through presentations at (inter)national conferences and through publications in peer-reviewed journals. Additionally, the candidate is expected to take part in educational activities within the department (assist in teaching, act as a mentor for master students, supervise master thesis work, … ).

We are looking for a highly motivated candidate to conduct multidisciplinary postdoctoral research on experimental and computational modelling of cerebrovascular haemodyanmics.

The potential candidates are expected to:

• Hold or about to obtain a PhD degree from a technical program such as mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, applied physics, or similar;
• Have proven experience in either microfluidics or additive manufacturing (having both is a plus);
• Have a strong interest in conducting cardiovascular research;
• Have proven experience in scientific publishing and dissemination;
• Be creative, eager to take initiative, and a team player;
• Have good communication skills, and be fluent in both written and spoken English.

Please highlight your specific skills for this position explicitly in your motivation letter. Motivation letters that do not address any of these requirements will not be considered.

Fixed-term contract: 1 year.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, 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.

The position is a temporary assignment for 12 months.

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.