The goal of our group at TU Delft is to develop biodegradable MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems), a new class of microsystems made entirely of biodegradable materials, including sensors, actuators and electronics. They can be used in many fields such as medicine or environmental monitoring, thus addressing crucial societal challenges.

Agriculture is facing significant challenges due to population growth, climate change, resource depletion, and soil degradation. It is imperative to integrate advanced sensing and communication techniques into agriculture to address these challenges. In order to make informed decisions for successful agriculture, it is crucial to have real-time characterization of soil heterogeneity, including factors such as soil compaction, moisture, phosphorus, and nitrogen. This information allows for precise optimization of agricultural operations, such as sowing, irrigating, fertilizing, and harvesting, in terms of timing, location, and intensity.

To meet the requirements of sustainable development and environmental protection, the use of green sensors in agriculture is becoming essential. These sensors are biodegradable and naturally integrate into the natural cycle of nature, with a lifecycle that includes a period of use followed by biodegradation and recycling. This makes them safe for soil, plants, and groundwater, and aligns with the principles of sustainability and environmental friendliness.

The focus of this PhD position is on the design, microfabrication and characterization of biodegradable sensors and other microsystems for agriculture and environmental monitoring.

Candidates with strong experience in microfabrication, materials engineering and electronics are encouraged to apply or enquire further by contacting Dr. Boutry (C.M.F.Viellard-Boutry@tudelft.nl).

A Master degree in microengineering, electronic engineering, mechanical engineering, material science or related fields, as well as fluency with English, are required to apply for these positions.

Doing a PhD at TU Delft requires English proficiency at a certain level to ensure that the candidate is able to communicate and interact well, participate in English-taught Doctoral Education courses, and write scientific articles and a final thesis. For more details please check the Graduate Schools Admission Requirements.

Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1,5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months. Followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2,5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from € 2541 per month in the first year to € 3247 in the fourth year. 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 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 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.