PhD Position in Decoding Environmental History from Microorganisms for Living Sensors and Memory

Job description

Background:

Living microorganisms could transform how we sense and store information, replacing single-use electronics with inherently biodegradable systems that track environmental conditions over time. Even basic electronic sensing systems today require sensors, microcontrollers, memory, and batteries, and are often disposable. For example, temperature and humidity dataloggers used during food and vaccine transport become e-waste within weeks. Meanwhile, many species of microorganisms, such as the iridescent Flavobacteria, integrate environmental signals and store history structurally, all with minimal energy. Readout may be as simple as taking a photograph. Could these organisms replace conventional electronics and enable fully degradable, battery-less dataloggers? What's missing in realizing this future is our ability to interpret this biological record: we do not yet understand what the visual characteristics of organisms represent quantitatively, or how reliably we can recover that information.

This PhD:

We are seeking a highly motivated PhD student to play a formative role in understanding how to decode environmental information from living microorganisms, in pursuit of living sensing and memory systems. This effort is truly trans-disciplinary, drawing on biodesign/biotechnology, machine learning, and interaction design. This project builds on groundwork already underway in our group but is meant to be shaped substantially by the candidate's own interests and expertise.

The candidate will cultivate the living organism itself, characterize and model its visible responses to different environmental conditions, and develop and validate computational decoders that recover environmental history from an image of the living organism. Based on the found capabilities, the candidate will also design prototypes that incorporate living sensors, such as fully compostable, smart packaging for temperature and humidity monitoring for food, vaccines, or archival documents.

The PhD candidate will be situated at the intersection of the Knowledge and Intelligent Design group and the Materializing Futures group in Sustainable Design Engineering (SDE), a department within the Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering.

Job requirements
We look for candidates who have:

• A Master's degree (or equivalent) in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Biodesign, Design Engineering, or a related field
• Experience in building and deploying machine learning or computer vision models
• Technical competencies in one or more of the following: bio-digital systems, biodesign, applied machine learning, computer vision, computational biology, and/or physical prototyping
• Experience or strong interest in biodesign and hands-on interaction with living organisms
• Experience or interest in conducting research with sound experimental design
• Ability to work in a multidisciplinary team, communicate effectively, and take initiative
• Prior publications and experience presenting at international conferences are assets but not requirements

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.

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 Industrial Design Engineering
Matching the evolution of people with the speed of the revolution of technology. This is the focus of the Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering (IDE). Delft designers act as a bridge between advances in technology and the needs of people, organisations and society to create products, services and systems with purpose.

IDE is a leader in design research across the application areas of mobility, sustainability and health, as well as its development of design tools and methods. A 350-strong research team and over 2,000 students work together in our inspiring hall, labs and studios.

In close cooperation with industry, the public sector and NGOs we rehearse possible futures in research and education to design for a complex future.
Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering.

PhD Position in Decoding Environmental History from Microorganisms for Living Sensors and Memory

Job description

Background:

Living microorganisms could transform how we sense and store information, replacing single-use electronics with inherently biodegradable systems that track environmental conditions over time. Even basic electronic sensing systems today require sensors, microcontrollers, memory, and batteries, and are often disposable. For example, temperature and humidity dataloggers used during food and vaccine transport become e-waste within weeks. Meanwhile, many species of microorganisms, such as the iridescent Flavobacteria, integrate environmental signals and store history structurally, all with minimal energy. Readout may be as simple as taking a photograph. Could these organisms replace conventional electronics and enable fully degradable, battery-less dataloggers? What's missing in realizing this future is our ability to interpret this biological record: we do not yet understand what the visual characteristics of organisms represent quantitatively, or how reliably we can recover that information.

This PhD:

We are seeking a highly motivated PhD student to play a formative role in understanding how to decode environmental information from living microorganisms, in pursuit of living sensing and memory systems. This effort is truly trans-disciplinary, drawing on biodesign/biotechnology, machine learning, and interaction design. This project builds on groundwork already underway in our group but is meant to be shaped substantially by the candidate's own interests and expertise.

The candidate will cultivate the living organism itself, characterize and model its visible responses to different environmental conditions, and develop and validate computational decoders that recover environmental history from an image of the living organism. Based on the found capabilities, the candidate will also design prototypes that incorporate living sensors, such as fully compostable, smart packaging for temperature and humidity monitoring for food, vaccines, or archival documents.

The PhD candidate will be situated at the intersection of the Knowledge and Intelligent Design group and the Materializing Futures group in Sustainable Design Engineering (SDE), a department within the Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering.

Job requirements
We look for candidates who have:

• A Master's degree (or equivalent) in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Biodesign, Design Engineering, or a related field
• Experience in building and deploying machine learning or computer vision models
• Technical competencies in one or more of the following: bio-digital systems, biodesign, applied machine learning, computer vision, computational biology, and/or physical prototyping
• Experience or strong interest in biodesign and hands-on interaction with living organisms
• Experience or interest in conducting research with sound experimental design
• Ability to work in a multidisciplinary team, communicate effectively, and take initiative
• Prior publications and experience presenting at international conferences are assets but not requirements

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.

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 Industrial Design Engineering
Matching the evolution of people with the speed of the revolution of technology. This is the focus of the Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering (IDE). Delft designers act as a bridge between advances in technology and the needs of people, organisations and society to create products, services and systems with purpose.

IDE is a leader in design research across the application areas of mobility, sustainability and health, as well as its development of design tools and methods. A 350-strong research team and over 2,000 students work together in our inspiring hall, labs and studios.

In close cooperation with industry, the public sector and NGOs we rehearse possible futures in research and education to design for a complex future.
Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering.

Postdoc in the Epistemology of Moral Experiences in Technology | TU Delft

Job description

Technologies increasingly shape the moral landscape of our societies. In response, approaches such as Design for Values (DfV) and Value Sensitive Design seek to embed moral values like privacy, justice, and sustainability directly into the design process. But while DfV has many methods for eliciting what people currently value, it offers virtually no guidance regarding which values are the right ones to design for, which means designers risk baking harmful or mistaken values into the technologies we all live with.

This project, Techno-Moral Experience and the Foundations of Design for Values (TechnoMoralXP), tackles that gap head-on by building a moral epistemology for DfV. Its guiding idea is that our emotional and perceptual encounters with morally significant situations—moral experiences—are central to justified moral judgement, and can be harnessed in design.

As the WP1 postdoc, you develop lead the project's philosophical foundations. Working closely with Dr James Hutton and Prof. Ibo van de Poel, you will:

• develop a new conceptualisation of techno-moral experiences and distinguish them from neighbouring notions;
• analyse the epistemic roles such experiences can play in justifying design decisions and investigate their limitations;
• integrate your work with that of WP2, where a second postdoc builds a practical design toolkit based on your findings.

You will publish in leading ethics and technology-ethics journals; help shape a new research frontier between moral epistemology, technology ethics and design; and join a supportive, international team in one of the world's strongest groups in the ethics of technology.

Job requirements

• A PhD (completed, or very close to completion) in philosophy, with strength in metaethics, moral epistemology, ethics, or philosophy of emotion — or a closely related area.
• A track record, appropriate to career stage, of high-quality research and writing in relevant areas of philosophy.
• Genuine interest in the ethics of technology and/or in Design for Values; prior work in these areas is welcome but not required.
• Competence to work in an interdisciplinary team spanning philosophy and design, and to connect abstract epistemology to applied design questions.
• Excellent command of English and excellent academic writing skills.
• Enthusiasm for contributing to the group's wider intellectual life and, on occasion, its educational activities. (Up to 10% of the postdoc's time will be spent on educational activities.)

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 Technology, Policy & Management
The Faculty of TPM provides an important contribution to solving complex technical-social issues, such as energy transition, mobility, digitalisation, water management and (cyber) security. TPM does this with its excellent education and research at the intersection of technology, society and policy. We combine insights from both engineering and social sciences as well as the humanities. TPM develops robust models and designs, is internationally oriented and has an extensive network of knowledge institutions, companies, social organisations and governments.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Technology, Policy and Management.

Postdoc in the Epistemology of Moral Experiences in Technology | TU Delft

Job description

Technologies increasingly shape the moral landscape of our societies. In response, approaches such as Design for Values (DfV) and Value Sensitive Design seek to embed moral values like privacy, justice, and sustainability directly into the design process. But while DfV has many methods for eliciting what people currently value, it offers virtually no guidance regarding which values are the right ones to design for, which means designers risk baking harmful or mistaken values into the technologies we all live with.

This project, Techno-Moral Experience and the Foundations of Design for Values (TechnoMoralXP), tackles that gap head-on by building a moral epistemology for DfV. Its guiding idea is that our emotional and perceptual encounters with morally significant situations—moral experiences—are central to justified moral judgement, and can be harnessed in design.

As the WP1 postdoc, you develop lead the project's philosophical foundations. Working closely with Dr James Hutton and Prof. Ibo van de Poel, you will:

• develop a new conceptualisation of techno-moral experiences and distinguish them from neighbouring notions;
• analyse the epistemic roles such experiences can play in justifying design decisions and investigate their limitations;
• integrate your work with that of WP2, where a second postdoc builds a practical design toolkit based on your findings.

You will publish in leading ethics and technology-ethics journals; help shape a new research frontier between moral epistemology, technology ethics and design; and join a supportive, international team in one of the world's strongest groups in the ethics of technology.

Job requirements

• A PhD (completed, or very close to completion) in philosophy, with strength in metaethics, moral epistemology, ethics, or philosophy of emotion — or a closely related area.
• A track record, appropriate to career stage, of high-quality research and writing in relevant areas of philosophy.
• Genuine interest in the ethics of technology and/or in Design for Values; prior work in these areas is welcome but not required.
• Competence to work in an interdisciplinary team spanning philosophy and design, and to connect abstract epistemology to applied design questions.
• Excellent command of English and excellent academic writing skills.
• Enthusiasm for contributing to the group's wider intellectual life and, on occasion, its educational activities. (Up to 10% of the postdoc's time will be spent on educational activities.)

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 Technology, Policy & Management
The Faculty of TPM provides an important contribution to solving complex technical-social issues, such as energy transition, mobility, digitalisation, water management and (cyber) security. TPM does this with its excellent education and research at the intersection of technology, society and policy. We combine insights from both engineering and social sciences as well as the humanities. TPM develops robust models and designs, is internationally oriented and has an extensive network of knowledge institutions, companies, social organisations and governments.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Technology, Policy and Management.

PhD Position in Marine Renewables: Energy and Societal Impacts under Climate Change

Job description

Climate change is transforming our oceans: reshaping wave climates, marine renewable energy potential, and coastal systems. This PhD position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to this challenge by working on resilient future energy systems and their societal impacts under Climate Change (EU-INTERCHANGE, EU-FUSION), led by Dr George Lavidas.

As a PhD candidate, you will join the Marine Renewable Energies Lab at TU Delft and work within an interdisciplinary and international research team. Your work will focus on high-fidelity Energy System Modelling (ESM), and the development of coupled pwathway frameworks for “what-if” scenario analysis derived by Integrated Assessment Models (IAM).

You will develop different pathways based on multiple realisations of CMIP6 and/or CMIP7 datasets, aligned with IPCC scenarios, to assess their future implications on energy systems and societal indicators (such as GDP, etc). Your research will include developing new modules in ESM, IAM and active coupling between them, comprehensive econometric analysis and development of pathways based on what-if scenarios. A key component of your work will be integrating these insights into the European Digital Ocean platform (EDITO).

You will collaborate closely with academic and industry partners across Europe, contributing to joint research activities and project deliverables.

In addition to your research, you will:

• Contribute to the coordination of project activities and ensure timely delivery of milestones.
• Publish in leading scientific journals and present at international conferences.
• Engage with project partners through reporting and collaboration.
• Support the supervision of MSc students, and assist in teaching.

We are looking for a researcher who can work both independently and collaboratively, with strong organisational and communication skills, and a proactive approach to research and teamwork.

You will be part of the Marine Renewable Energies Lab, a dynamic group of researchers working at the forefront of Marine Renewables within the Offshore Engineering Section of the Department of Hydraulic Engineering at TU Delft. The lab is known for its interdisciplinary approach and strong links to European research initiatives.

Through this role, you will also collaborate with colleagues from Coastal Engineering, contributing to advancing marine renewable energy and coastal resilience in the face of climate change.     

Job requirements
Required:

• An MSc in Civil Engineering, Mechanical, Electrical, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated expertise in ESM and IAM.
• Experience with High Performance Computing (HPC) and large-scale dataset analysis.
• Strong programming skills (e.g. Python, MATLAB) and familiarity with FAIR open source practices.
• Excellent command of English (written and spoken).

Preferred:

• Knowledge of CMIP datasets and climate scenarios
• Experience with marine renewable energy applications in ESM

Personal profile:

• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within interdisciplinary teams.
• Strong organisational skills and a proactive approach to research.
• Interest in application-driven research with real-world impact.
• Enthusiasm for sharing research through scientific publications, conferences, and broader outreach.
• Comfortable working in an international research environment and collaborating with external partners.

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 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.