Artificial Intelligence (AI) is disrupting various domains and industries, and the aerospace domain is no exception. There has been an accelerated increase in the number of drones. Their number has surpassed the number of aircraft already years ago. Currently, most drones have a limited form of autonomy, taking care of stabilization and the following of GPS waypoints. However, there are now more and more professional products on the market that are also able to avoid obstacles and follow a person to make the best possible selfie or action video. AI plays an enormous role in these capabilities.

The demands on autonomy and hence AI on drones will increase, while it is enormously important not to add too much weight and processing, as the energy of drones is a very limiting factor for their flight duration and usefulness. This calls for innovations in AI for which we need to prepare a new generation of engineers and researchers. 

The proposed position will involve aiding in current AI-related courses at the faculty of Aerospace Engineering, and contributing to additional ones, as well as performing research on relevant topics, such as deep neural networks, neuromorphic sensing and processing, bio-inspired algorithms, swarming, reinforcement learning, computer vision, or any other topics that are relevant to AI at the edge for autonomous drones.  

You will be expected to:

• develop courses and conduct teaching at undergraduate and post-graduate levels
• perform top-quality research in Artificial Intelligence for robotics
• establish and execute an externally funded research programme
• interact and collaborate with other researchers and specialists in academia and / or industry
• be an inspiring member of our staff and have excellent communication skills

We expect the candidate to have:

• a PhD degree in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Control Systems Theory, or a related discipline and several years of post-doctoral experience
• excellent track record in scientific research, as evidenced by publications in academic journals
• experience in the acquisition of external funding and an entrepreneurial mindset
• proven ability to provide inspiring teaching in English

It is desired for the candidate to have experience in designing / working with robotic systems, (embedded) programming and software development.

A tenure-track position is offered for six years. In the fifth year we’ll decide if you will be offered a permanent faculty position, based on performance indicators agreed upon at the start of the appointment. We expect that you have the potential to grow towards an Associate Professor and/or Full Professor role in the future.

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 within three years.

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.

For international applicants we offer the Coming to Delft Service and Partner Career Advice to assist you with your relocation. An International Children's Centre offers childcare and there is an international primary 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 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 Aerospace Engineering

The Faculty of Aerospace Engineering at Delft University of Technology is one of the world’s most highly ranked (and most comprehensive) research, education and innovation communities devoted entirely to aerospace engineering. More than 200 science staff, around 250 PhD candidates and over 2,700 BSc and MSc students apply aerospace engineering disciplines to address the global societal challenges that threaten us today, climate change without doubt being the most important. Our focal subjects: sustainable aerospace, big data and artificial intelligence, bio-inspired engineering and smart instruments and systems. Working at the faculty means working together. With partners in other faculties, knowledge institutes, governments and industry, both aerospace and non-aerospace. Working in field labs and innovation hubs on our university campus and beyond.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering.