One common denominator in high-tech instrumentation is optics. Applications range from nanoscale metrology and wafer steppers to medical equipment and even earth observation satellites. While instruments are becoming ever smaller, decreasing the environmental footprint, there is also an increasing demand for greater accuracy and precision. To meet these needs, integrated opto-mechanical system design is crucial. As an assistant or associate professor at TU Delft, you will get the unparalleled opportunity to develop your vision and unique research line geared to the development of novel high-precision instrumentation. Would you like to conduct pioneering research, harnessing the latest technology in the fields of mechanics and optics?

The potential scope for your research is huge, as is the variety in applications and dimensions, ranging from nanoscale devices to full laboratory-scale set-ups. Depending on your focus, you could partner with sectors such as lithography, high-precision or medical instrumentation, and even the space sector. You will also get to set up your own dedicated laboratory. Your research may verge on the fundamental, e.g. by deep-diving into physical aspects affecting precision or accuracy. Alternatively, your research could be geared to developing new techniques and algorithms for novel optical instrumentation. To benefit from our in-house expertise in fields such as mechanics, mechatronics, optics and control systems, you will collaborate closely with academics across our department, faculty and university.

To realise your research, you will write research proposals, attract funding and build your team of PhD students, whom you will supervise to completion. You will also teach and coach our talented undergraduate and graduate students, while developing your own competencies and growing your academic career. Your home base is the newly formed, currently 6-strong but rapidly growing Optical Technologies group. We are a highly driven and internationally diverse team of academic staff, PhD students and postdocs. Fostering a very friendly, open, and collaborative culture, we share ideas and knowledge, and meet socially as well. We share an ambition to become the acknowledged experts in the field of optics-based technology. And you will help put us on the map, building your network, writing papers and speaking at leading conferences.

Learn more about the Optics for Technology https://www.tudelft.nl/en/me/about/departments/precision-and-microsystems-engineering-pme/research/optics-for-technology-opt

• You have a PhD in mechanical engineering, optical physics, optical engineering or another relevant subject.
• You have a drive to learn all you need to know about subjects such as optics, optical design, mechanics, simulation and system design.
• You are highly motivated to conduct research bridging mechanics and optics, and are keen to collaborate with experts from other disciplines, such as mechatronics, electronics and control systems.
• If you are joining us as an associate professor, you have extensive experience of working in the high-tech industry or as an assistant professor/senior researcher in a relevant field.
• You harness your communication skills to inspire and convince partners of your research proposals, to build and maintain relevant networks, and to collaborate with fellow researchers.
• You are committed to teaching and engaging with students, while growing your teaching competencies.
• You have a good command of spoken and written English as you’ll be working in an internationally diverse community. As our undergraduates are taught in Dutch, you also have a good command of Dutch, or are willing to learn the language.

Fixed-term contract: Academic career track.

The position is at the level of assistant professor (Academic Career Track) or associate professor, depending on background, experience and leadership (potential).

Assistant Professor
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.
Salary scale 11-12: €4.332,-- to € 6.737,-- per month gross.

Associate Professor
For an Associate Professor position, 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.
Salary scale 13-14: € 6.002,-- to € 8.025,-- per month gross.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labor Agreement of the Dutch Universities, plus 8% holiday allowance and an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%. Besides the salary, TU Delft offers the following:

• An excellent pension scheme via the ABP.
• The possibility to compile an individual employment package every year.
• Discounts with health insurers.
• Flexible working week.
• Every year, 232 leave hours (at 38 hours). You can also sell or buy additional leave hours via the individual choice budget.
• Plenty of opportunities for education, training and courses
• Fully paid pregnancy and maternal leave
• Partially paid parental leave
• Health Coach Program with a focus on healthy and energetic working

We offer a competitive starting package that matches your seniority resource requirements, and also offer access to world-class infrastructure and administrative support in one of the top Engineering and Technology Universities in the world.

For international applicants, TU Delft has the Coming to Delft Service and Partner Career Advice to assist them with the preparation of your relocation, such as finding housing and schools for children, and help them settle in the Netherlands. This service addresses the needs of new international employees and those of their partners and families. On campus, an International Children's Centre is located as well as an international primary and secondary 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 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 Mechanica 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 ME faculty focusses on fundamental understanding, design, production including application and product improvement, materials, processes and (mechanical) systems.

ME 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 ME’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 Engineering. Do you want to experience working at our faculty? These videos will introduce you to some of our researchers and their work.