Precision agriculture, which employs sensing technology and artificial intelligence to drive automated agriculture processes and decisions, has demonstrated great potential to improve efficiency, transparency, and productivity in the sector. For example, automated crop monitoring in greenhouses can be carried out collaboratively in real time using handheld devices and autonomous robots to collect data and monitor crop health. While AI has shown promise in many context-sensing tasks, realizing the full potential of AI for automated crop monitoring requires overcoming several research challenges. These include designing computationally efficient deep learning solutions for resource-constrained edge devices and addressing the sparse data problem in training robust monitoring systems.

To develop edge computing and AI-assisted solutions for resource-efficient and robust mobile crop monitoring, the Embedded System Group is offering a 4-year Ph.D. position funded by the Dutch National Growth Fund NXTGEN Hightech program. We are seeking a highly qualified candidate to work on this challenging but impactful project. The candidate will be supervised by Dr. Guohao Lan and Prof. dr. Koen Langendoen and collaborate with the TU Delft AgTech Institute and our industry collaborator Sobolt. 

The ideal candidate is expected to have the following qualifications:

• Hold a master's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a closely related field;
• Possess strong skills in system programming and prototyping;
• Be independent, self-motivated, reliable, and eager to learn and solve practical challenges;
• Demonstrate knowledge of and a keen interest in deep learning, embedded systems, and edge computing;
• Willing to work out of the office and collaborate with industry partners;
• Have excellent English language skills, including proficient writing and presentation abilities;

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.