PhD Position Self-Organizing Edge Infrastructure for Next-Generation Internet

Job description
The Internet is undergoing a fundamental transformation from cloud architectures to a distributed continuum spanning edge, cloud, and space. This shift demands revolutionary approaches to how we orchestrate resources, manage distributed intelligence, and measure network performance at planetary scale. Join the SPEAR (Systems and Protocols for Edge-Enabled Internet) lab, associated with the Networked Systems group, at TU Delft to pioneer self-organizing edge infrastructure that will define the next generation of Internet architecture.

This PhD position offers you the opportunity to shape the future of Internet infrastructure by developing autonomous systems that can self-organize, self-optimize, and self-heal across heterogeneous environments. You will tackle fundamental challenges at the intersection of edge computing, network orchestration, and distributed intelligence, creating systems that operate seamlessly from local edge deployments to globally spanning satellite constellations.

You will build real systems and tinker with network transport protocols, deploy them on cutting-edge infrastructure, and validate their performance through Internet-scale measurements. Your work will directly contribute to open-source projects several open-source projects such as Kubernetes, Oakestra, LEOScope, etc.

As part of the SPEAR lab, you will work in a vibrant research environment with members across Europe. The broader Networked Systems Group tackles all aspects of network optimization, management, and improvement, providing rich opportunities for collaboration. As a PhD, you will have access to:

• State-of-the-art 6G testbeds (indoor and outdoor) with GPU clusters and edge computing platforms
• Global Internet measurement infrastructure and satellite network access
• Opportunities to engage with Internet standardization communities (e.g. IETF)
• An expansive network of academic and industry collaborators globally

If you are passionate about building the systems that will power the next generation of the Internet, we invite you to join us in this transformative research journey.

Job requirements
General requirements:

• Excellent track record in Master's and Bachelor's degrees from a good university
• Strong analytical and systems implementation skills
• Solid understanding of networking protocols and distributed systems
• Fluent in English (written and spoken)

Conditions of international mobility of researchers:
Researchers are required to undertake trans-national mobility (i.e., move from one country to another) when taking up the appointment. At the time of selection by the TU Delft, the candidate must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the Netherlands for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to the recruitment. Short stays, such as holidays, are not taken into account.

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.

Postdoc in Application of eXtended Reality for Pedestrian-Micromobility Interaction

Job description
Micromobility holds promise to improve zero-emission transport and improve accessibility in urban areas. Recognizing this potential, cities have granted micromobility operators broad access to public space. However, their deployment has revealed unintended consequences: increased conflicts with pedestrians, reduced comfort, and heightened stress in already constrained urban spaces.

To tackle this challenge, the MicroMReg project aims to develop adaptive micromobility regulation that promotes safe, inclusive, and pedestrian-friendly urban environments. In this postdoc position, you will focus on using Extended Reality (XR) simulations to investigate how micromobility influences pedestrian well-being and behavior, with particular attention to stress, comfort, and experience.

In this role you will:

• Develop XR micromobility simulators and develop realistic virtual urban scenarios that reflect micromobility scenarios.
• Conduct XR experiments to measure pedestrian-micromobility mode interaction.
• Identify key indicators of stress and discomfort for different types of vulnerable road users.
• Collaborate closely with other project partners across different work packages to ensure alignment.
• Collaborate closely with other European project partners across different work packages to ensure knowledge exchange, alignment, and integration of research outcomes into project goals.
• Support other researchers in the lab and contribute to the management of Lab activities.
• Publish in high-impact scientific journals and disseminate findings through conferences and stakeholder workshops.

Your home base will be the Mobility in eXtended Reality Lab in the Department of Transport & Planning within the Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences. Our diverse team of researchers, project managers, and professors shares the ambition to create smart, sustainable, and equitable mobility systems. In our 12 collaborative labs we apply advanced technologies such as sensing, data analytics, modelling, and AI to turn scientific research into real-world impact. You’ll join an open, supportive environment that fosters learning and professional growth.

Job requirements
Your profile:

• PhD degree in a relevant field (e.g., transportation, human-computer interaction, cognitive science, mechanical engineering, or related disciplines).
• Solid background in XR technologies and skills in developing XR applications using Unity/Unreal game engine.
• Demonstrable experimental and analytical skills, including designing and conducting studies, programming (e.g., Python, C#).
• Advanced skills in both qualitative and quantitative research methods.
• Excellent communication skills in English and ability to collaborate with diverse stakeholders.
• A publication record in relevant scientific journals.
• Excellent writing and communication skills in English.

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.

PhD Position Self-Organizing Edge Infrastructure for Next-Generation Internet

Job description
The Internet is undergoing a fundamental transformation from cloud architectures to a distributed continuum spanning edge, cloud, and space. This shift demands revolutionary approaches to how we orchestrate resources, manage distributed intelligence, and measure network performance at planetary scale. Join the SPEAR (Systems and Protocols for Edge-Enabled Internet) lab, associated with the Networked Systems group, at TU Delft to pioneer self-organizing edge infrastructure that will define the next generation of Internet architecture.

This PhD position offers you the opportunity to shape the future of Internet infrastructure by developing autonomous systems that can self-organize, self-optimize, and self-heal across heterogeneous environments. You will tackle fundamental challenges at the intersection of edge computing, network orchestration, and distributed intelligence, creating systems that operate seamlessly from local edge deployments to globally spanning satellite constellations.

You will build real systems and tinker with network transport protocols, deploy them on cutting-edge infrastructure, and validate their performance through Internet-scale measurements. Your work will directly contribute to open-source projects several open-source projects such as Kubernetes, Oakestra, LEOScope, etc.

As part of the SPEAR lab, you will work in a vibrant research environment with members across Europe. The broader Networked Systems Group tackles all aspects of network optimization, management, and improvement, providing rich opportunities for collaboration. As a PhD, you will have access to:

• State-of-the-art 6G testbeds (indoor and outdoor) with GPU clusters and edge computing platforms
• Global Internet measurement infrastructure and satellite network access
• Opportunities to engage with Internet standardization communities (e.g. IETF)
• An expansive network of academic and industry collaborators globally

If you are passionate about building the systems that will power the next generation of the Internet, we invite you to join us in this transformative research journey.

Job requirements
General requirements:

• Excellent track record in Master's and Bachelor's degrees from a good university
• Strong analytical and systems implementation skills
• Solid understanding of networking protocols and distributed systems
• Fluent in English (written and spoken)

Conditions of international mobility of researchers:
Researchers are required to undertake trans-national mobility (i.e., move from one country to another) when taking up the appointment. At the time of selection by the TU Delft, the candidate must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the Netherlands for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to the recruitment. Short stays, such as holidays, are not taken into account.

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.

Postdoc in Co-Creation of Accessibility Solutions for Public Transportation

Job description
Creating accessible and inclusive travel journeys is one of today’s most pressing societal challenges. Despite advances in policy and technology, people with disabilities still face significant barriers to public transportation. Addressing these challenges requires collaboration across disciplines and sectors, bringing together researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and end-users to design solutions that truly work in practice.

We are seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Researcher to connect research and practice, ensuring that accessibility solutions are co-created, tested, and disseminated in collaboration with stakeholders across the Dutch transportation sector. You will focus on translating research insights into actionable solutions, validating them in practice, and ensuring their broader dissemination and uptake.

This postdoc position is part of the NWO-funded BRIDGE-XR project, which aims to provide a comprehensive examination of accessibility barriers in the Dutch public transportation and public space context.

In this role you will:

• Establish integrative forums and learning communities to bring together diverse stakeholders to foster dialogue and collaboration.
• Develop structured use case frameworks and translate project insights into practical frameworks for testing solutions.
• Engage a large consortium of partners, including municipalities, public transport operators, technology providers, advocacy groups, and consultancy firms, in developing and adapting solutions.
• Produce training materials and foster mutual learning across use cases.
• Evaluate solutions and implementation pathways to systematically assess effectiveness and potential for scaling.
• Collaborate closely with other researchers and project partners across different work packages to ensure that findings contribute to the shared goals of creating accessible and inclusive travel journeys.
• Publish in high-impact scientific journals and disseminate findings through conferences and stakeholder workshops.
• Collaborate with the PI on project management, including planning, reporting, and coordination of activities across the consortium.

Your home base will be the Mobility in eXtended Reality Lab in the Department of Transport & Planning within the Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences. Our diverse team of researchers, project managers, and professors shares the ambition to create smart, sustainable, and equitable mobility systems. In our 12 collaborative labs we apply advanced technologies such as sensing, data analytics, modelling, and AI to turn scientific research into real-world impact. You’ll join an open, supportive environment that fosters learning and professional growth.

Job requirements
Must-haves

• A PhD in a relevant field such as transportation, urban studies, policy, or a related discipline.
• Knowledge of accessibility, participatory design and co-creation methods, or inclusive design in transport or urban systems.
• Proven experience with applied interdisciplinary research at the intersection of academia, policy, and practice.
• Excellent communication and project-management skills, including experience coordinating multi-partner projects and maintaining partner engagement.
• Proficiency in both qualitative and quantitative research methods, and excellent command of written and spoken English.

Nice-to-haves

• Dutch language skills and prior experience in knowledge transfer or societal impact projects beyond academia.

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 in Application of eXtended Reality for Pedestrian-Micromobility Interaction

Job description
Micromobility holds promise to improve zero-emission transport and improve accessibility in urban areas. Recognizing this potential, cities have granted micromobility operators broad access to public space. However, their deployment has revealed unintended consequences: increased conflicts with pedestrians, reduced comfort, and heightened stress in already constrained urban spaces.

To tackle this challenge, the MicroMReg project aims to develop adaptive micromobility regulation that promotes safe, inclusive, and pedestrian-friendly urban environments. In this postdoc position, you will focus on using Extended Reality (XR) simulations to investigate how micromobility influences pedestrian well-being and behavior, with particular attention to stress, comfort, and experience.

In this role you will:

• Develop XR micromobility simulators and develop realistic virtual urban scenarios that reflect micromobility scenarios.
• Conduct XR experiments to measure pedestrian-micromobility mode interaction.
• Identify key indicators of stress and discomfort for different types of vulnerable road users.
• Collaborate closely with other project partners across different work packages to ensure alignment.
• Collaborate closely with other European project partners across different work packages to ensure knowledge exchange, alignment, and integration of research outcomes into project goals.
• Support other researchers in the lab and contribute to the management of Lab activities.
• Publish in high-impact scientific journals and disseminate findings through conferences and stakeholder workshops.

Your home base will be the Mobility in eXtended Reality Lab in the Department of Transport & Planning within the Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences. Our diverse team of researchers, project managers, and professors shares the ambition to create smart, sustainable, and equitable mobility systems. In our 12 collaborative labs we apply advanced technologies such as sensing, data analytics, modelling, and AI to turn scientific research into real-world impact. You’ll join an open, supportive environment that fosters learning and professional growth.

Job requirements
Your profile:

• PhD degree in a relevant field (e.g., transportation, human-computer interaction, cognitive science, mechanical engineering, or related disciplines).
• Solid background in XR technologies and skills in developing XR applications using Unity/Unreal game engine.
• Demonstrable experimental and analytical skills, including designing and conducting studies, programming (e.g., Python, C#).
• Advanced skills in both qualitative and quantitative research methods.
• Excellent communication skills in English and ability to collaborate with diverse stakeholders.
• A publication record in relevant scientific journals.
• Excellent writing and communication skills in English.

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.