Development of new structures for civil construction, transportation infrastructure and energy transition applications can benefit from employing high-performance materials with painstakingly designed microscopic structures. This shift to highly-optimized designs naturally demands a profound knowledge of material behavior across spatial scales. Fully exploiting this potential requires accurate and efficient multiscale virtual testing tools. However, current state-of-the-art techniques are too computationally expensive to be used in real design situations, with relatively simple simulations easily taking months to run. Accelerating these simulations is the core goal of the SLIMM lab (Statistical Learning for Intelligent Material Modeling). With a range of topics across four PhD projects, SLIMM will explore promising research directions on Bayesian inverse modeling and sampling (MCMC) techniques that will lead to a new generation of intelligent material models and fast multiscale simulation frameworks.

In this specific PhD project, you will develop smart active learning frameworks for multiscale mechanical simulations by constructing and combining data-driven and physics-based probabilistic models to act as surrogates for complex lower-scale models. The candidate is expected to leverage the speed and flexibility of data-driven models (e.g. Gaussian Processes, Bayesian Neural Networks, state-space models) and the strong physical basis of state-of-the-art constitutive models (e.g. pressure-dependent (visco)plasticity, continuum damage, cohesive debonding). The latest advances in MCMC technology and Bayesian inverse modeling will be used to counter statistical intractability and lead to faster inference and learning techniques for highly-nonlinear physics-based models. The outcome will be a set of fast and accurate online inference and learning tools for material modeling with a good balance between data and physics

SLIMM is a Delft Artificial Intelligence Lab. Artificial Intelligence, Data and Digitalization are becoming increasingly important when looking for answers to major scientific and societal challenges. In a DAI-lab, experts in ‘the fundamentals of AI technology’ along with experts in ‘AI challenges’ run a shared lab. As a PhD, you will work with at least two academic members of staff and three other PhD candidates. In total TU Delft will establish 24 DAI-Labs, where 48 Tenure Trackers and 96 PhD candidates will have the opportunity push the boundaries of science using AI. You will be a member of the thriving DAI-Lab community that fosters cross-fertilization between talents with different expertises and disciplines.

Each team is driven by research questions which arise from scientific and societal challenges, and contribute to the development and execution of domain specific education. You will receive a 5-year contract and will be deployed for AI-related education for the usual teaching effort for PhD students in the faculty plus an additional 20%. The extra year compared to the usual 4-year contract accommodates the 20% additional AI, Data and Digitalization education related activities. All team members have many opportunities for self-development.

We are a collaboration between the Computational Mechanics (CM) group of the 3MD department of the Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences (CEG) and the Delft Institute of Applied Mathematics (DIAM) of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EEMCS). The lab is led by Iuri Rocha (CM) and Hanne Kekkonen (DIAM). The candidate will we stationed primarily within the CM group, but will also be linked to DIAM.

• An MSc degree in a field relevant to the PhD research topic;
• Research experience and strong interest in at least one of the following: computational solid mechanics, multiscale material modeling, (probabilistic) machine learning;
• Experience with coding numerical methods, ideally in C++;
• Excellent command over the English language, both verbally and in writing,
• If your mother language is not English and you do not hold a degree from an institution in which English is the language of instruction, you must submit proof of English proficiency from either TOEFL (minimum total score of 100) or IELTS (minimum total score of 7.0). Proof of English language proficiency certificates older than two years are not accepted.
• Affinity with teaching and guiding students and a strong scientific drive.

Fixed-term contract: 5 years.

TU Delft offers DAI-Lab PhD-candidates a 5-year contract (as opposed to the normal 4-years), with an official go/no go progress assessment after one year. The duration of your employment contract corresponds to the envisaged time of 5 years to complete your Doctoral programme as agreed with you. As a DAI lab PhD candidate you will be specifically deployed for AI-related education within the DAI labs programme. Therefore the duration of your employment contract is 5 years instead of a standard 4 year PhD contract. The extra year accommodates for the additional teaching load with regard to AI, Data and Digitalization education related activities.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from € 2395 per month in the first year to € 3217 in the fifth year.
In the 5th year of your contract, you will receive a temporary monthly allowance based on the gross difference between salary scale P, step 3 and salary scale 10, step 3.
As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills.
The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health
insurance and sport memberships, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible
work schedules can be arranged. For international applicants we offer the Coming to
Delft Service and Partner Career Advice to assist you with your relocation.

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 and aim to be as inclusive as possible (see our Code of Conduct). Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale.

Challenge. Change. Impact! 

Faculty Civil Engineering & Geosciences

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 depletion, urbanisation and the availability of clean water, conducted  in close cooperation with a wide range of research institutions. CEG is convinced that Open Science helps to achieve our goals 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.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Civil Engineering & Geosciences.