Postdoc Researcher in AROMA Project

Are you interested in modelling volatiles with AI?

Job description
Overview:

Reducing alcohol content in beverages without compromising flavour remains a major scientific and industrial challenge. Alcohol plays a key role in flavour perception and aroma release, and its reduction fundamentally alters the sensory experience of beverages such as beer, wine, and spirits. Understanding and predicting these changes requires new computational approaches that link molecular composition and human sensory perception.

TU Delft, as part of the national Big Chemistry initiative and the AROMA consortium, offers a post-doctoral position focused on developing data-driven models in this field. The post-doctoral candidate will work at the interface of machine learning, cheminformatics, and sensory science, in close collaboration with academic and industrial partners.

Methodological Approach:

The postdoctoral researcher will develop and apply state-of-the-art machine learning techniques, including, representation learning and graph-based approaches for molecular data. A strong emphasis is also placed on iterative testing of the models.

Environment and Training:
The position will be part of the Delft Bioinformatics Lab, which is part of the Department of Intelligent Systems within the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science. In the position it is expected to manage multiple academic and industrial consortium members and to contribute to the academic lab environment in Delft. The research environment and tasks will be tailored to provide a unique training opportunity for the post-doctoral candidate.

Candidate Profile

We seek highly motivated candidates with a PhD in computer science or a related field, and a strong interest in flavour applications. Experience in graph machine learning, geometric machine learning, and high-dimensional molecular data analysis is required. Ideal candidates are curious, independent, and excited to tackle complex, interdisciplinary research questions.

Start-date: Beginning to mid-March

Job requirements

• PhD in Computer Science
• Strong background in graph-based machine learning
• Strong background in geometric machine learning
• Experience with high-dimensional molecular data analysis
• Strong interest in flavour applications
• Strong analytical thinking and problem-solving skills
• Interest in supporting the growth of an academic lab and contributing to education
• Intellectual curiosity, independence, and motivation to tackle open-ended problems with real-world impact
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Excellent in working independent and collaboratively in an interdisciplinary team

TU Delft (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 of 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.

Conditions of employment

• Duration of contract is 29 months Temporary
• A job of 38-40 hours per week.
• Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities.
• An excellent pension scheme via the ABP.
• The possibility to compile an individual employment package every year.
• Discount with health insurers on supplemental packages.
• 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.
• Partially paid parental leave
• Attention for working healthy and energetically with the vitality program.

Will you need to relocate to the Netherlands for this job? TU Delft is committed to make your move as smooth as possible! The HR unit, Coming to Delft Service, offers information on their website to help you prepare your relocation. In addition, Coming to Delft Service organises events to help you settle in the Netherlands, and expand your (social) network in Delft. A Dual Career Programme is available, to support your accompanying partner with their job search in the Netherlands. .

Additional information
If you would like more information about this vacancy or the selection procedure, please contact Jana Weber, via (j.m.weber@tudelft.nl)

Application procedure
Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 16 February 2026 via the application button and upload the following documents:

• CV
• Motivational letter

You can address your application to Jana Weber.

Please note:

• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
• As part of knowledge security, TU Delft conducts a risk assessment during the recruitment of personnel. We do this, among other things, to prevent the unwanted transfer of sensitive knowledge and technology. The assessment is based on information provided by the candidates themselves, such as their motivation letter and CV, and takes place at the final stages of the selection process. When the outcome of the assessment is negative, the candidate will be informed. The processing of personal data in the context of the risk assessment is carried out on the legal basis of the GDPR: performing a public task in the public interest. You can find more information about this assessment on our website about knowledge security.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.