Postdoc Computational Cryo-EM Method Development

Job description

We seek a highly-motivated postdoctoral researcher to develop to develop advanced computational methods for cryogenic electron tomography (cryo-ET) that enable the visualization of molecular complexes directly within cells. A central focus of the project will be the development of improved image simulation frameworks. These simulations will not only serve as benchmarking tools for method development, but will play a key role in a tightly integrated experimental-computational workflow. In close collaboration with experimental researchers, the candidate will use simulation-driven insights to guide the design and optimisation of molecular probes that enable the specific identification of target complexes within densely packed cellular tomograms. In parallel, the candidate will develop and implement novel computational strategies that combine physics-based modeling, optimization techniques, and machine learning approaches to improve cryo-ET image processing workflows. This includes key challenges such as tilt series alignment and 3D template matching, as well as broader contributions to cryo-ET data analysis, including particle detection and the quantitative interpretation of tomograms. The position involves close interaction with experimentalists, and the candidate will actively support ongoing projects by developing and applying image processing pipelines, assisting in data interpretation, and ensuring that methodological advances translate into facilitating biological discovery.

Your home base will be the Jakobi Lab (https://cryoem.tudelft.nl) at TU Delft | Kavli Institute of Nanoscience. We are a multidisciplinary and internationally diverse team of scientists with backgrounds ranging from (bio)chemistry and physics to bioinformatics and cell biology. Our drive is to push boundaries in our aim to visualise molecular processes in their native context and at the highest possible resolution. As part of the Department of Bionanoscience and the Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, we enjoy access to state-of-the-art infrastructure for biochemistry, molecular imaging, cryoEM/ET and high-performance computing. We are also committed to world-class education, and you will have the opportunity to contribute by mentoring undergraduate and graduate students. We foster a friendly, collaborative, and non-hierarchical environment where ideas and expertise are openly shared in pursuit of ambitious scientific goals. You will receive strong support and training to further your personal and professional development.

Job requirements
We seek an outstanding computational scientist, bioinformatician, physicist, or interdisciplinary researcher with a strong affinity for developing methods at the interface of computation, physics, and structural biology. The ideal candidate has a genuine interest in advancing fundamental methodology for cryogenic electron tomography and enjoys working closely with experimental researchers to translate computational advances into practical biological insights. We are looking for a candidate with intellectual creativity, strong problem-solving skills, and the ability to communicate and collaborate effectively across disciplines.

Required qualifications:

• You hold a PhD in computational science, physics, applied mathematics, bioinformatics, structural biology, or a related field.
• You have strong computational and programming skills (e.g. Python, Julia, C++), including experience with scientific computing and machine learning libraries and high-performance computing.
• You have experience with image analysis or computational imaging, ideally in the context of electron microscopy, tomography, or related modalities.
• You have demonstrated experience in developing algorithms or computational methods, for example in image simulation, optimization, or data analysis workflows.
• You have an interest in, or experience with, machine learning approaches for scientific data analysis.
• You have a strong interest in interdisciplinary research and enjoy collaborating with experimental scientists.
• You communicate clearly and effectively in English, as you will work in an international research environment.

Ideally, you also have:

• Experience with cryo-EM or cryo-ET data analysis, including areas such as tilt series alignment, 2D/3D template matching, or subtomogram averaging.
• Experience with physics-based modeling or simulation of imaging processes.
• Familiarity with scientific software development
• A track record of peer-reviewed publications demonstrating methodological or computational contributions.

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 Applied Sciences
With more than 1,100 employees, including 150 pioneering principal investigators, as well as a population of about 3,600 passionate students, the Faculty of Applied Sciences is an inspiring scientific ecosystem. Focusing on key enabling technologies, such as quantum- and nanotechnology, photonics, biotechnology, synthetic biology and materials for energy storage and conversion, our faculty aims to provide solutions to important problems of the 21st century. To that end, we educate innovative students in broad Bachelor's and specialist Master's programmes with a strong research component. Our scientists conduct ground-breaking fundamental and applied research in the fields of Life and Health Science & Technology, Nanoscience, Chemical Engineering, Radiation Science & Technology, and Engineering Physics. We are also training the next generation of high school teachers.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Applied Sciences.

Postdoc Computational Cryo-EM Method Development

Job description

We seek a highly-motivated postdoctoral researcher to develop to develop advanced computational methods for cryogenic electron tomography (cryo-ET) that enable the visualization of molecular complexes directly within cells. A central focus of the project will be the development of improved image simulation frameworks. These simulations will not only serve as benchmarking tools for method development, but will play a key role in a tightly integrated experimental-computational workflow. In close collaboration with experimental researchers, the candidate will use simulation-driven insights to guide the design and optimisation of molecular probes that enable the specific identification of target complexes within densely packed cellular tomograms. In parallel, the candidate will develop and implement novel computational strategies that combine physics-based modeling, optimization techniques, and machine learning approaches to improve cryo-ET image processing workflows. This includes key challenges such as tilt series alignment and 3D template matching, as well as broader contributions to cryo-ET data analysis, including particle detection and the quantitative interpretation of tomograms. The position involves close interaction with experimentalists, and the candidate will actively support ongoing projects by developing and applying image processing pipelines, assisting in data interpretation, and ensuring that methodological advances translate into facilitating biological discovery.

Your home base will be the Jakobi Lab (https://cryoem.tudelft.nl) at TU Delft | Kavli Institute of Nanoscience. We are a multidisciplinary and internationally diverse team of scientists with backgrounds ranging from (bio)chemistry and physics to bioinformatics and cell biology. Our drive is to push boundaries in our aim to visualise molecular processes in their native context and at the highest possible resolution. As part of the Department of Bionanoscience and the Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, we enjoy access to state-of-the-art infrastructure for biochemistry, molecular imaging, cryoEM/ET and high-performance computing. We are also committed to world-class education, and you will have the opportunity to contribute by mentoring undergraduate and graduate students. We foster a friendly, collaborative, and non-hierarchical environment where ideas and expertise are openly shared in pursuit of ambitious scientific goals. You will receive strong support and training to further your personal and professional development.

Job requirements
We seek an outstanding computational scientist, bioinformatician, physicist, or interdisciplinary researcher with a strong affinity for developing methods at the interface of computation, physics, and structural biology. The ideal candidate has a genuine interest in advancing fundamental methodology for cryogenic electron tomography and enjoys working closely with experimental researchers to translate computational advances into practical biological insights. We are looking for a candidate with intellectual creativity, strong problem-solving skills, and the ability to communicate and collaborate effectively across disciplines.

Required qualifications:

• You hold a PhD in computational science, physics, applied mathematics, bioinformatics, structural biology, or a related field.
• You have strong computational and programming skills (e.g. Python, Julia, C++), including experience with scientific computing and machine learning libraries and high-performance computing.
• You have experience with image analysis or computational imaging, ideally in the context of electron microscopy, tomography, or related modalities.
• You have demonstrated experience in developing algorithms or computational methods, for example in image simulation, optimization, or data analysis workflows.
• You have an interest in, or experience with, machine learning approaches for scientific data analysis.
• You have a strong interest in interdisciplinary research and enjoy collaborating with experimental scientists.
• You communicate clearly and effectively in English, as you will work in an international research environment.

Ideally, you also have:

• Experience with cryo-EM or cryo-ET data analysis, including areas such as tilt series alignment, 2D/3D template matching, or subtomogram averaging.
• Experience with physics-based modeling or simulation of imaging processes.
• Familiarity with scientific software development
• A track record of peer-reviewed publications demonstrating methodological or computational contributions.

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 Applied Sciences
With more than 1,100 employees, including 150 pioneering principal investigators, as well as a population of about 3,600 passionate students, the Faculty of Applied Sciences is an inspiring scientific ecosystem. Focusing on key enabling technologies, such as quantum- and nanotechnology, photonics, biotechnology, synthetic biology and materials for energy storage and conversion, our faculty aims to provide solutions to important problems of the 21st century. To that end, we educate innovative students in broad Bachelor's and specialist Master's programmes with a strong research component. Our scientists conduct ground-breaking fundamental and applied research in the fields of Life and Health Science & Technology, Nanoscience, Chemical Engineering, Radiation Science & Technology, and Engineering Physics. We are also training the next generation of high school teachers.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Applied Sciences.

Postdoc Tactile Robotics for Dexterous Manipulation

Job description
Dexterous manipulation represents one of robotics' most fundamental unsolved problems. While robots excel at precise positioning and heavy lifting, they fail at tasks humans perform unconsciously – sliding a glass without spilling, rotating a screwdriver with proper torque, or coordinating fingers to tie shoelaces. This gap has profound implications for manufacturing, healthcare, domestic assistance, and applications where robots must interact delicately with the physical world.

Current robotic systems rely primarily on vision and force sensors, missing the rich tactile information that enables human dexterity. Our lab pioneered a new tactile sensor technology (best student paper award at ICRA 2025) that offers unprecedented spatial resolution and sensitivity, providing robots with meaningful tactile sensing. This position represents a unique opportunity to leverage rich tactile information for dexterous manipulation.

Your role and impact as postdoctoral researcher, you'll lead the research in leveraging our tactile sensor technology to control grippers and multi-finger hands. Your primary mission involves developing control strategies that enable robots to perform complex manipulation through tactile feedback. You'll focus on three critical aspects of the problem: sliding motion control, rotation strategies for precise tool manipulation, and multi-finger coordination for more complex tasks.

We expect that you will blend theoretical approaches with hands-on experimentation, as well as collaborate with PhD candidates. You'll design experiments using our robotic platform, analyze tactile data patterns, implement real-time control algorithms, and validate performance across diverse scenarios.

You'll be part of the Tactile Machines Lab, which is a dynamic, interdisciplinary group of researcher bringing together expertise in robotics, sensing, machine learning, biomechanics, and haptics.

The project is funded by a NWO VIDI grant to the PI and provides financial security, access to state-of-the-art equipment, travel resources, and freedom to pursue new research directions.

You will work alongside two PhD candidates and numerous Master’s students, providing opportunities for mentoring.

Our lab maintains strong industry partnerships, offering opportunities to test algorithms on real-world applications.

This research addresses a fundamental robotics limitation that can potentially enable transformative applications. Your contributions will directly influence next-generation robotic systems, from surgical robots requiring precise manipulation to manufacturing systems handling delicate objects such as fruits.

Working on this project positions you at the forefront of robotics in the burgeoning field of tactile robotics. It is the perfect platform for you to gain expertise in cutting-edge sensing technologies, develop deep understanding of robotic manipulation, and build a record of high-impact publications.

Job requirements

• PhD in Robotics, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field
• Strong background in robotic and control systems
• Experience with dexterous manipulation, tactile sensing or haptic systems
• Proficiency in programming (Python, C++, MATLAB, or similar)
• Experience with robotic platforms and hardware
• Knowledge of machine learning and signal processing techniques
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
• Publication record in robotics, sensing, or related fields

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 Mechanical Engineering
From chip to ship. From machine to human being. From idea to solution. Driven by a deep-rooted desire to understand our environment and discover its underlying mechanisms, research and education at the ME faculty focusses on fundamental understanding, design, production including application and product improvement, materials, processes and (mechanical) systems.

ME is a dynamic and innovative faculty with high-tech lab facilities and international reach. It’s a large faculty but also versatile, so we can often make unique connections by combining different disciplines. This is reflected in ME’s outstanding, state-of-the-art education, which trains students to become responsible and socially engaged engineers and scientists. We translate our knowledge and insights into solutions to societal issues, contributing to a sustainable society and to the development of prosperity and well-being. That is what unites us in pioneering research, inspiring education and (inter)national cooperation.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering. Do you want to experience working at our faculty? These videos will introduce you to some of our researchers and their work.

Postdoc in Geodesy

Job description

TU Delft invites applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher position focused on the development and application of Instantaneous-State InSAR for monitoring the built environment. While InSAR readily produces large volumes of application-agnostic (“double-A”) deformation products, these are inherently ambiguous and sub-optimal for decision-making in specific applications. This project addresses the scientific and methodological challenge of converting InSAR observations and estimates into actionable, application-specific information.

The postdoc will investigate how choices in the smoothness-doublet, quality, selection, representativity, parameterization, and visualization affect the optimality of InSAR products for well-defined applications. A central theme is the role of geodetic expertise in designing and evaluating IS-InSAR networks after data acquisition, analogous to optimal network design in conventional geodesy.

Job requirements
The successful candidate will:

• Develop methodologies for transforming Instantaneous-State InSAR estimates into triple-A InSAR Information Products.
• Evaluate visualization strategies, parameterization choices, and quality control procedures to support actionable interpretation.
• Assess uncertainty, stochastic properties, and geodetic consistency of IS-InSAR-derived results, avoiding hard separation between product generation and interpretation.
• Link IS-InSAR products to a geodetic reference frame using dedicated IGRS infrastructure and advise on integration with other geodetic data sources.
• Process X-band InSAR data over a five-year hindcasting period using multiple viewing geometries, followed by near-real-time (NRT) updates for at least two years over Singapore.
• Perform complementary C-band InSAR processing to increase point density and revisit frequency.
• Support the installation and operation of at least two new IGRS stations.
• Implement and evaluate the TU Delft IS-InSAR anomaly detection method to identify points requiring special attention at each new epoch.

Candidate profile

Applicants should have a PhD in geodesy, geomatics, or a closely related discipline. Strong expertise in Instantaneous-State InSAR processing, geodetic theory, stochastic modeling, and deformation analysis is required. Experience with multi-sensor data integration, reference frames, and applied monitoring of the built environment is highly desirable. The candidate should be able to work independently while collaborating in an interdisciplinary research team.

Outcome and impact

This research will contribute to scientifically grounded, application-specific IS-InSAR products that support reliable interpretation and decision-making for infrastructure monitoring and geohazard assessment.

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 Civil Engineering and 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 availability, urbanisation and clean water. Our research projects are conducted in close cooperation with a wide range of research institutions.
CEG is convinced of the importance of open science 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.

Postdoc Tactile Robotics for Dexterous Manipulation

Job description
Dexterous manipulation represents one of robotics' most fundamental unsolved problems. While robots excel at precise positioning and heavy lifting, they fail at tasks humans perform unconsciously – sliding a glass without spilling, rotating a screwdriver with proper torque, or coordinating fingers to tie shoelaces. This gap has profound implications for manufacturing, healthcare, domestic assistance, and applications where robots must interact delicately with the physical world.

Current robotic systems rely primarily on vision and force sensors, missing the rich tactile information that enables human dexterity. Our lab pioneered a new tactile sensor technology (best student paper award at ICRA 2025) that offers unprecedented spatial resolution and sensitivity, providing robots with meaningful tactile sensing. This position represents a unique opportunity to leverage rich tactile information for dexterous manipulation.

Your role and impact as postdoctoral researcher, you'll lead the research in leveraging our tactile sensor technology to control grippers and multi-finger hands. Your primary mission involves developing control strategies that enable robots to perform complex manipulation through tactile feedback. You'll focus on three critical aspects of the problem: sliding motion control, rotation strategies for precise tool manipulation, and multi-finger coordination for more complex tasks.

We expect that you will blend theoretical approaches with hands-on experimentation, as well as collaborate with PhD candidates. You'll design experiments using our robotic platform, analyze tactile data patterns, implement real-time control algorithms, and validate performance across diverse scenarios.

You'll be part of the Tactile Machines Lab, which is a dynamic, interdisciplinary group of researcher bringing together expertise in robotics, sensing, machine learning, biomechanics, and haptics.

The project is funded by a NWO VIDI grant to the PI and provides financial security, access to state-of-the-art equipment, travel resources, and freedom to pursue new research directions.

You will work alongside two PhD candidates and numerous Master’s students, providing opportunities for mentoring.

Our lab maintains strong industry partnerships, offering opportunities to test algorithms on real-world applications.

This research addresses a fundamental robotics limitation that can potentially enable transformative applications. Your contributions will directly influence next-generation robotic systems, from surgical robots requiring precise manipulation to manufacturing systems handling delicate objects such as fruits.

Working on this project positions you at the forefront of robotics in the burgeoning field of tactile robotics. It is the perfect platform for you to gain expertise in cutting-edge sensing technologies, develop deep understanding of robotic manipulation, and build a record of high-impact publications.

Job requirements

• PhD in Robotics, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field
• Strong background in robotic and control systems
• Experience with dexterous manipulation, tactile sensing or haptic systems
• Proficiency in programming (Python, C++, MATLAB, or similar)
• Experience with robotic platforms and hardware
• Knowledge of machine learning and signal processing techniques
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
• Publication record in robotics, sensing, or related fields

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 Mechanical Engineering
From chip to ship. From machine to human being. From idea to solution. Driven by a deep-rooted desire to understand our environment and discover its underlying mechanisms, research and education at the ME faculty focusses on fundamental understanding, design, production including application and product improvement, materials, processes and (mechanical) systems.

ME is a dynamic and innovative faculty with high-tech lab facilities and international reach. It’s a large faculty but also versatile, so we can often make unique connections by combining different disciplines. This is reflected in ME’s outstanding, state-of-the-art education, which trains students to become responsible and socially engaged engineers and scientists. We translate our knowledge and insights into solutions to societal issues, contributing to a sustainable society and to the development of prosperity and well-being. That is what unites us in pioneering research, inspiring education and (inter)national cooperation.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering. Do you want to experience working at our faculty? These videos will introduce you to some of our researchers and their work.