PhD Position Foundation Models for Automotive Imaging Radar

Job description
Next generation automotive imaging radars provide increasingly rich 3D information, opening the door to more advanced scene understanding and perception tasks such as 3D object detection and free space estimation. However, current neural networks are typically developed for a specific radar configuration and task, and often generalize poorly to other sensors. At the same time, large scale radar datasets with high quality labels remain scarce.

In this PhD project, you will investigate foundation models for automotive imaging radar. The goal is to learn general radar representations from largely unlabelled data that can generalize across different radar configurations and be efficiently adapted to multiple downstream perception tasks with limited labelled data. An important research direction is the transfer of representations from vision and LiDAR based foundation models to radar, as well as the development of multimodal foundation models incorporating radar. A further challenge is how different radar representations and sensor configurations can be accommodated within a general foundation model framework, and to what extent a common model can generalize across them. Research directions may also include generative or predictive modeling of dynamic radar scenes.

The project combines methodological machine learning research with experiments on real automotive sensor data. You will have access to research vehicles and advanced radar prototypes for collecting and evaluating real world multimodal sensor data.

While the primary application domain is automotive, the developed methods should preferably be sufficiently general to also apply to other domains, such as autonomous vehicles operating in off-road settings.

You will join the Intelligent Vehicles group within the Department of Cognitive Robotics at TU Delft. The project will be carried out in collaboration with Perciv.AI, and will also involve NXP Semiconductors as an industrial partner. The research is part of the FIND project, funded by the Dutch Research Council (NWO), which investigates foundation models for high tech industry applications.

Your results are expected to be published at leading international venues in machine learning, computer vision, robotics and radar, such as NeurIPS, CVPR, ICRA, IEEE IV and RadarConf. For your research, you will have access to extensive computing resources at TU Delft, ranging from personal workstations and shared GPU servers to the Delft AI Cluster and the DelftBlue supercomputer. Your supervisors will be Prof. Dariu Gavrila and Dr. Julian Kooij.

Job requirements
We are looking for a candidate with:

• An MSc degree in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Electrical Engineering, or a closely related field.
• A strong academic record and solid background in machine learning and deep learning.
• Ability to develop, understand, and critically evaluate machine learning research software, preferably using Python and PyTorch.
• An interest in foundation models, self supervised learning, multimodal learning, and 3D perception.
• An affinity for translating methodological research into experiments with real automotive sensor data and vehicle demonstrators.
• The ability to work independently as well as collaborate effectively within a larger research team.
• Good written and spoken English.
• Experience with radar, signal processing, computer vision, autonomous driving, or sensor fusion is advantageous.

TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)
Working at TU Delft means contributing to solutions that really make a difference.

For over 180 years, we have been training engineers who make an impact worldwide in companies, government bodies, or as entrepreneurs. Our alumni turn knowledge into concrete solutions for the challenges of today and tomorrow.

These challenges are changing rapidly. That is why we focus on themes such as energy, climate, digitalisation, artificial intelligence (AI), and smart mobility every day. Our education and research are directly aligned with what society needs now and in the future.

At TU Delft, our people make the difference. With their knowledge and curiosity, our staff provide a high-quality education and conduct pioneering research that extends beyond the campus. You will have the opportunity to take the initiative, work with others, and grow as a professional.

Working at TU Delft means join an international community of professionals and students. Together, we create knowledge, innovations, and solutions that help move the world forward.

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.

PhD Position Continuum Two-Phase Flow Modelling of Piping in Dikes

Job description
Internal erosion and piping are among the main failure mechanisms of clay–sand layered dikes and remain important challenges in flood risk management. Reliable numerical models can improve our understanding of how piping develops and help engineers assess and design safer, more reliable flood defence systems. In this PhD project, you will contribute to this challenge by advancing the modelling of particle transport and fluid–soil interaction in dikes.

A key scientific challenge is to represent the complex interaction between soil particles and flowing water across different spatial and temporal scales, while keeping the models computationally efficient. The research builds on an Eulerian two-phase modelling approach previously applied to backward erosion piping. You will investigate how this approach can be further developed to capture the physical processes that govern pipe formation and progression, while connecting detailed modelling with larger-scale analyses.

The goal of the project is to develop a robust and computationally efficient modelling framework that improves the prediction of piping in layered dikes. Your research will contribute to a better understanding of internal erosion and support the development of safer flood defence systems and more reliable flood risk assessments.

Your responsibilities
As a PhD researcher, you will:

• Develop continuum-based two-phase models to predict internal erosion and pipe progression in clay-sand layered dikes.
• Derive constitutive modelling approaches from high-fidelity DNS-DEM data generated within the broader project consortium.
• Capture the multi-scale nature of pipe formation while maintaining computational efficiency, including the exploration of adaptive mesh refinement strategies.
• Disseminate research outcomes through scientific publications, conference presentations, and collaboration with researchers from relevant disciplines.

Your work environment
You will join the Offshore and Dredging Engineering group within the department of Maritime and Transport Technology of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering. You will receive supervision and guidance while having the freedom to shape and develop your research. You will have access to well-equipped facilities, including: The hydraulic circuit.

You will work in an open and collaborative environment where interdisciplinary teamwork, curiosity and scientific excellence are valued. The group works closely across fluid mechanics, soil mechanics, hydraulic engineering and ocean engineering, using various computational and experimental techniques, sharing knowledge and expertise to develop innovative solutions with meaningful societal impact. Please see our work for more information: Offshore and Dredging Engineering.

Job requirements
You are highly motivated to translate fundamental flow and erosion physics into practically relevant scales through two-phase flow modelling. You are well organised, manage your time effectively and take initiative in a multidisciplinary research environment. You are results-oriented and enjoy working with researchers from different disciplines.

Furthermore, you meet the following requirements:

• You have an MSc degree in a relevant field (Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Applied Physics, Process Technology, Civil Engineering or a closely related discipline)
• You have received training in multiphase flow physics, numerical methods, and computational fluid dynamics (CFD), ideally complemented by application in your MSc thesis, research projects, or internships.
• Have excellent communication skills and command of English.
• Have affinity with teaching and guiding MSc students.
• Familiarity with Euler–Euler multiphase flow modelling and/or automatic mesh adaptation techniques is considered an advantage.

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
Working at TU Delft means contributing to solutions that really make a difference.

For over 180 years, we have been training engineers who make an impact worldwide in companies, government bodies, or as entrepreneurs. Our alumni turn knowledge into concrete solutions for the challenges of today and tomorrow.

These challenges are changing rapidly. That is why we focus on themes such as energy, climate, digitalisation, artificial intelligence (AI), and smart mobility every day. Our education and research are directly aligned with what society needs now and in the future.

At TU Delft, our people make the difference. With their knowledge and curiosity, our staff provide a high-quality education and conduct pioneering research that extends beyond the campus. You will have the opportunity to take the initiative, work with others, and grow as a professional.

Working at TU Delft means join an international community of professionals and students. Together, we create knowledge, innovations, and solutions that help move the world forward.

PhD Position Combinatorics

Job description

The Discrete Mathematics and Optimization group within the Delft Institute of Applied Mathematics at TU Delft is offering a full-time PhD position in the area of combinatorics.

During the PhD, you will work on topics at the intersection of probabilistic and extremal combinatorics, structural graph theory and algorithms. We study problems on discrete structures such as graphs, permutations, posets or set systems using probabilistic, structural and sometimes algebraic techniques. Potential directions include topics such as universal graphs ('What is the smallest graph containing all n-vertex graphs as induced subgraph?'), reconstruction problems ('How many distances are required to reconstruct the edge set of a graph?') or finding structures that can lead to faster algorithms ('How fast can you 3-colour an n-vertex graph of diameter 2?').

The PhD will be supervised by Carla Groenland. You will have the opportunity to collaborate with postdocs, PhD candidates, and other faculty members of the research group in Discrete Mathematics and Optimization. Moreover, another PhD vacancy at University of Amsterdam, jointly supervised with Ross Kang on a similar topic, is open now at the same time, giving further collaboration opportunities.

Besides carrying out mathematical research and preparing scientific publications, you will be expected to actively participate in seminars and discussions within the department, and to present your work at both national and international conferences and workshops. You will also carry out minor teaching tasks (at most 15% of your time) in English (or possibly Dutch if you are Dutch-speaking). If desired, you can take Dutch language courses offered by the TU Delft Language Center.

Job requirements

• Strong communication and collaboration skills
• Mathematical maturity on the level of a master's degree in mathematics. A master's degree in mathematics (or closely related discipline) is a requirement by the start of the position.
• Enthusiasm for topics in probabilistic and extremal combinatorics and/or structural graph theory. Prior experience in these topics is not required but advantageous.
• Prior research experience, for example through a university project or summer internship.
• Fluent in English (no knowledge of Dutch is needed).

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 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.

PhD Position Unravelling Hydrogen-Induced Degradation and Fracture in Circular Steels

Job description

Within this project, you will investigate one of the key challenges facing the hydrogen economy: understanding how hydrogen interacts with the complex microstructures of circular steels and causes degradation and failure. This position is part of the project "Circularity as Opportunity: Engineering Hydrogen-Resistant Circular Steels (CIRHY)", a 6-year research and innovation programme developing next-generation circular steels that can safely operate in hydrogen environments. By combining advanced experiments with multiscale modelling, CIRHY aims to enable reliable and sustainable steels for future hydrogen infrastructure and industry.

Hydrogen embrittlement is one of the major barriers to the safe deployment of hydrogen technologies. At the same time, increasing steel circularity introduces microstructural complexity through tramp elements, precipitates, inclusions and segregation phenomena. While considerable progress has been made in understanding hydrogen embrittlement in conventional steels, the mechanisms governing hydrogen-induced degradation and fracture in compositionally complex circular steels remain poorly understood.

The Extreme Materials and Mechanics Group at TU Delft, led by Prof. Vera Popovich, is internationally recognized for its expertise in hydrogen embrittlement, fracture mechanics and advanced characterization of metallic materials. By combining state-of-the-art microscopy, hydrogen testing and fracture mechanics, the group develops fundamental understanding of material degradation in extreme environments and translates this knowledge into solutions for the energy transition.

Within this position, you will combine advanced microstructural characterization, in-situ hydrogen mechanical testing and fracture toughness experiments to uncover how hydrogen interacts with circular steel microstructures and affects deformation, ductility, crack initiation and crack propagation. You will investigate hydrogen trapping and transport, identify the microstructural features controlling embrittlement and establish quantitative links between microstructure and structural performance. The outcome of this research, conducted in close collaboration with Tata Steel and other partners, will provide crucial experimental insights for designing safer and more reliable hydrogen-resistant circular steels. 

In this role, you will develop fundamental insights into the mechanisms governing hydrogen-induced degradation and failure of circular steels. As a PhD researcher, you will:

• Perform advanced 3D microstructural characterization of circular steels, focusing on segregation of tramp elements to precipitates, inclusions, interfaces, voids and dislocations.
• Investigate the influence of hydrogen on deformation behaviour and ductility through in-situ hydrogen mechanical testing.
• Quantify hydrogen transport, trapping and interaction with microstructural defects using advanced characterization techniques.
• Conduct in-situ hydrogen fracture toughness testing to identify crack initiation and propagation mechanisms.
• Collaborate closely with researchers from the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at TU Delft, University of Groningen, Eindhoven University of Technology, University of Twente, KU Leuven, MPI for Sustainable Materials and multiple industrial partners.
• Contribute to scientific publications, conference presentations and dissemination activities within the M2i framework.

Job requirements
We are looking for a highly motivated and curious researcher with a strong interest in materials degradation, hydrogen embrittlement and advanced experimental characterization. You enjoy working at the intersection of materials science, mechanics and microscopy, and are excited to contribute to the development of sustainable materials for the hydrogen economy.

You are an independent thinker, eager to learn new experimental techniques, and enjoy collaborating with researchers from different disciplines as well as industrial partners.

Furthermore, you meet the following requirements:

• You hold a Master's degree in Materials Science and Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Applied Physics, Metallurgy, or a closely related discipline.
• You have a strong background in physical metallurgy, materials characterization, fracture mechanics, mechanical behaviour of materials, or a related field.
• Experience with one or more advanced characterization techniques such as SEM, EBSD, TEM, XRD, SIMS or related methods is highly desirable.
• Experience with mechanical testing, fracture mechanics, hydrogen embrittlement research or materials degradation is an advantage but not mandatory.
• You have strong analytical and problem-solving skills and enjoy combining experimental observations with scientific interpretation.
• You have a strong academic track record, demonstrated by excellent study results and/or research experience.
• You are enthusiastic about working in a multidisciplinary academic and industrial consortium.
• You have excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.

TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)
Working at TU Delft means contributing to solutions that really make a difference.

For over 180 years, we have been training engineers who make an impact worldwide in companies, government bodies, or as entrepreneurs. Our alumni turn knowledge into concrete solutions for the challenges of today and tomorrow. These challenges are changing rapidly. That is why we focus on themes such as energy, climate, digitalisation, artificial intelligence (AI), and smart mobility every day. Our education and research are directly aligned with what society needs now and in the future.

At TU Delft, our people make the difference. With their knowledge and curiosity, our staff provide a high-quality education and conduct pioneering research that extends beyond the campus. You will have the opportunity to take the initiative, work with others, and grow as a professional. Working at TU Delft means join an international community of professionals and students. Together, we create knowledge, innovations, and solutions that help move the world forward.

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.

PhD Position Probing Hydrogen-Defect Interaction in Circular Steels via Atomistic Simulation

Job description

At TU Delft, you will contribute to a transformative research initiative focused on enabling the transition to a hydrogen-based energy system. This position is within the project "Circularity as Opportunity: Engineering Hydrogen-Resistant Circular Steels (CIRHY)" which is a 6-year research and innovation project developing next-generation circular steels that can safely operate in hydrogen environments. By combining advanced experiments with multiscale modelling, CIRHY enables reliable, sustainable steels for future infrastructure and industry. The project was granted by the Dutch national funding agency NWO in 2025.

Understanding hydrogen-material interactions at the atomic scale remains one of the most complex and urgent challenges in the transition to a hydrogen-based energy system. Since the first discovery of the phenomenon in 1875, several hypotheses have been proposed about the mechanistic origin of hydrogen embrittlement (HE). Atomistic modelling can play a crucial role in verifying, characterizing and quantifying the HE mechanisms, since hydrogen is challenging to detect experimentally. Machine learning potentials can overcome typical bottlenecks of empirical potentials for simulating dislocations, cracks and hydrogen diffusion near precipitates embedded in ferritic iron. While considerable progress has been made in simulating hydrogen behaviour in the presence of defects (e.g., grain boundaries) in iron, the effects of hydrogen in compositionally complex recycled steels remain poorly understood.

Within this position, you will investigate the atomistic mechanisms underlying hydrogen embrittlement (HE) in circular steels, with a particular focus on the role of tramp elements at experimentally informed microstructural features. You will combine first-principles modelling and machine-learning approaches to develop predictive simulations of hydrogen behaviour in compositionally complex Fe alloys. Working closely with Tata Steel and an interdisciplinary academic team, your research will contribute to the development of more hydrogen-embrittlement-resistant circular steels.

Your responsibilities
In this role, you will develop fundamental insights into the atomistic mechanisms governing hydrogen embrittlement in compositionally complex circular steels. As a PhD researcher, you will:

1. Perform Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations to model hydrogen-tramp element co-segregation at grain boundaries and phase boundaries
2. Perform DFT to obtain atomistic insights into how tramp elements interact with dislocations and how hydrogen modifies these interactions
3. Develop a DFT-accurate machine-learned interatomic potential (MLIP) for a multi-component Fe alloy system, enabling predictive molecular dynamics (MD) simulations capable of probing hydrogen diffusion and trapping at interfaces in the presence of tramp elements with near-DFT accuracy
4. Collaborate closely with a broad team of researchers from the department MSE of TU Delft, University of Groningen, Eindhoven University of Technology, University of Twente, KU Leuven, and MPI for Sustainable Materials, as well as with the project's industrial partner, Tata Steel.
5. Contribute to scientific publications, conference presentations and the dissemination of research findings within the M2i framework

Your work environment
You will be part of Team Dey within the Computational Materials Science section at TU Delft. This team focuses on atomistic simulations to investigate materials for sustainable energy, with proven expertise in hydrogen embrittlement, hydrogen storage and the behaviour of carbon-based materials such as graphene. Your project on the atomistic mechanisms of hydrogen embrittlement in circular steels aligns perfectly with the team's broader interest in metal–impurity interactions, interfacial phenomena and its commitment to computation-guided design for a sustainable future.

You will collaborate closely with researchers from a broad consortium, including academic partners from the University of Groningen, Eindhoven University of Technology, University of Twente, KU Leuven and the MPI for Sustainable Materials, as well as the industrial partner Tata Steel. The project is embedded within the M2i framework. The Computational Materials Science section offers a collaborative and intellectually stimulating environment, where researchers work across disciplines and scales, with ample opportunities for scientific development and impact.

Job requirements
We are looking for a self-motivated researcher to help develop atomistic insights and simulation tools for enabling hydrogen-resistant circular steels. You are independent but also a good team player and are willing to cooperate closely with other researchers and our industry partners.

Furthermore, you meet the following requirements:

• You hold a Master’s degree in Materials Science and Engineering, Physics, Chemistry or a closely related discipline.
• You have a strong background and prior experience in atomistic and molecular simulation techniques, specifically density functional theory (DFT) and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations.
• You are keen to learn new techniques for the development of machine learning interatomic potentials for MD simulations.
• You have a strong academic track record, as evident from your Master's thesis and relevant coursework.
• You have excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Prior experience on publications in international peer-reviewed journals and conference participation is an added advantage but not mandatory.

Join this unique programme, where you can apply your technical knowledge to collaborate with leading universities, research institutes and a major steel industry partner. Imagine contributing to the fundamental understanding needed to design steels that are resistant to hydrogen embrittlement, thereby enabling the safe and widespread use of hydrogen as a clean energy carrier. You can help make an impact on a more sustainable future.

TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)
Working at TU Delft means contributing to solutions that really make a difference.

For over 180 years, we have been training engineers who make an impact worldwide in companies, government bodies, or as entrepreneurs. Our alumni turn knowledge into concrete solutions for the challenges of today and tomorrow. These challenges are changing rapidly. That is why we focus on themes such as energy, climate, digitalisation, artificial intelligence (AI), and smart mobility every day. Our education and research are directly aligned with what society needs now and in the future.

At TU Delft, our people make the difference. With their knowledge and curiosity, our staff provide a high-quality education and conduct pioneering research that extends beyond the campus. You will have the opportunity to take the initiative, work with others, and grow as a professional. Working at TU Delft means join an international community of professionals and students. Together, we create knowledge, innovations, and solutions that help move the world forward.

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.