Interested and eligible applicants may submit their online application for PhD programs via the University’s Online Application Portal.

1. PhD Position in Argumentative Dialogsystem for Human-Robot deliberations

Summary of PhD Program:

One of the most pressing matters that holds back robots from taking on more tasks and reach a widespread deployment in society is their limited ability to understand human communication and take situation-appropriate actions. This PhD positions is dedicated to addressing this gap by developing the underlying data-driven models that enable a robot to engage with humans in a socially aware manner. This position is specifically targeted at the development of an argumentative dialogue system for human-robot interaction. The PhD candidate will explore how to fuse verbal and non-verbal behaviour to infer a person’s perspective. The candidate will use, and further develop, reinforcement learning techniques in order to drive the robot’s argumentative strategy for deliberating topics of current social importance such as global warming or vaccination.

Last Application Date: October 16, 2022

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2. PhD Position in Unraveling the precipitation kinetics in nanosteels by small-angle neutron scattering

Summary of PhD Program:

We are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic researcher with an afinity for physics, metallurgy and advanced characterization techniques. A strong background in Physics, Materials Science or Chemistry is required. Experience with X-ray/neutron scattering is not required, but can be an advantage. It is important that the candidate enjoys collaborations and has good written and spoken communication skills in English.

Last Application Date: October 19th, 2022

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3. PhD Position in Aerodynamics of Unsteady Wing-Wake Interactions

Summary of PhD Program:

This four-year PhD project will develop methods for the identification of the dependence of instantaneous forces experienced by unsteadily oscillating bodies, such as the wings of insects or the blades of a wind turbine, on their kinematic time history. The focus will initially be on kinematics related to the flapping flight of insects, because of the complex reciprocating motion they employ and commensurately complex interplay of force-producing mechanisms. The ultimate goal is to develop both physical understanding of the aerodynamic mechanisms involved in wing-wake interaction and a methodology for nonlinear time-dependent system identification which can be more broadly applied to unsteady industrial flows in, for example, wind energy and aerospace applications.

Last Application Date: 20 October 2022

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4. PhD Position in Unravelling the effects of Large-scale Sand Extraction on Flow and Transport in the southern North Sea

Summary of PhD Program:

Are you an MSc graduate with a deep interest in understanding flow and transport in our coastal seas and deltas and impacts of climate change on these systems? Are you motivated to contribute to their sustainable development? Do you have a strong background in physical oceanography, environmental fluid dynamics, coastal engineering, numerical modelling, and/or are you a mathematician or physicist who would like to apply your skills to sustainable coastal protection? Then this job might be for you!

Last Application Date: 25 October 2022

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5. PhD Position in development of new disordered electrode materials for batteries

Summary of PhD Program:

We will be investigating a new class of materials featuring atomic-scale disorder between mobile light metal ions (A e.g. Li+, Na+) and transition metals (M; e.g. Co, Fe). This is a new concept, in stark contrast to conventional electrode materials in which A and M are perfectly segregated in alternating atomic layers. The disordered materials have already shown great promise for increased performance (higher capacity, higher rate capability, slower aging) that could translate directly to lighter, faster-charging, longer-lasting next-generation batteries, respectively. Beyond performance, the disordered concept allows for more flexibility on the choice of transition metal(s) used which directly affects the economic potential and societal impact in view of battery mass-production.

Last Application Date: October 24st, 2022

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6. PhD Position in Probabilistic Tensor Methods

Summary of PhD Program:

The research in this PhD project will be on developing a new theory to make learning models from data sustainable. The key idea of this theory is to significantly compress model parameters with a novel technique: tensor networks. By exploiting correlations tensor networks can capture relevant information such that only a fraction of the original model parameters is required. The focus of this PhD project will be on developing theory for learning kernel machines (support vector machines, Gaussian processes, …) with tensor networks and by using a Bayesian inference approach.

Last Application Date: October 28, 2022

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7. PhD Position in Synthesis of Sustainable Polymer Matrices

Summary of PhD Program:

Carbon fibre reinforced polymer composites have unprecedented mechanical performance at low weight and contribute to a sustainable aviation. In carbon fibre epoxy prepreg systems epoxy monomers (Bisphenol-based) are crosslinked via multifunctional curing agents resulting in thermal, dimensional mechanical stability enabling supreme load transfer of the carbon fibres. Current manufacturing relies on Bisphenol-derived toxic and petroleum-based epoxy matrices that are affiliated with carcinogenic side effects thus considered for restricted use in EU; therefore developing alternative materials with high sustainability is of great societal relevance. This PhD position will explore novel routes for upgrading biobased sustainable molecules into monomer and curing agents that will constitute high performance polymer matrices.

Last Application Date: 1 November 2022

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8. PhD Position in Extremely Fast and Sustainable Assembly Processes For Small Electronic Chips

Summary of PhD Program:

We set out to research new assembly processes. Challenges include extreme throughput (at least 10x better than with current machines), high precision chip positioning, small chip handling (<100 micrometre), and sustainability of assembly processes. Current assembly processes are based on fast moving machine structures and are contact-based; we aim for non-contact / soft-contact processes using physical effects and force fields that are relevant at the small length-scale (micro-scale). Example effects include use of fluid-structure interactions; use of surface modifications (topography, chemical); self-assembly; and highly-parallel micro-assembly processes.

Last Application Date: October 31, 2022

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9. Two PhD Position in Software Restructuring

Summary of PhD Program:

We are seeking two PhD Students to join the Spoofax team to (1) extend the theory and application of scope graphs to the specification of programmable software restructurings, (2) develop analogs to scope graphs for capturing and transforming control flow, (3) develop a software restructuring framework for the C++ programming language based on this framework, and (4) validate the restructuring infrastructure through restructuring production C++ code at Philips Healthcare.

Last Application Date: 31 December 2022

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10. PhD Position in Co-creation of AI-agents for Public Safety

Summary of PhD Program:

This PhD-vacancy is one of the four PhD-places available in AI-MAPS, which all have a strong interdisciplinary orientation and reflect AI-MAPS mission to become a hub for research and practice of trustworthy AI. It will work-out and apply methods and tools for the inclusive, iterative and deliberative AI design and evaluation in which ELSA-experts and stakeholders can engage in transdisciplinary innovation. Current research on design pattern creation and application provides a promising starting point for this work.

Last Application Date: October 2, 2022

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11. PhD Position in Multi-disciplinary non-intrusive damage monitoring of off-shore wind turbine blades

Summary of PhD Program:

The PhD candidate will work within the framework of the Holi-DOCTOR project that aims at designing and implementing an experimental methodology for the non-intrusive damage monitoring of wind turbine blades located off-shore. Within the project, the PhD candidate will carry out wind tunnel and in-field combined acoustic, infrared and vibrometry to detect the blade damages, identify which technique is more suitable to detect each of the most common damages, and use or develop analytical or semi-empirical equations to relate the blade damage level to the measurements.

Last Application Date: 3-10-2022

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12. PhD Position in the high-fidelity coupled simulation of floating wind turbines

Summary of PhD Program:

The PhD candidate will develop and apply a high-fidelity computational framework to compute the dynamic response of a floating wind turbine subjected to nonlinear wind and wave conditions. The candidate will work with the tools developed by Whiffle, a SME company specialised in high-resolution weather forecasting. The company has developed a GPU-resident atmospheric simulation programme (GRASP) able to perform Large Eddy Simulations (LES). The ASPIRE interface of GRASP will be coupled to the engineering model OpenFAST and will provide a GPU-based model for the dynamics of floating wind turbines.

Last Application Date: 8-10-2022

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13. PhD Position in data-driven surrogate modelling for floating wind turbines

Summary of PhD Program:

The PhD candidate will develop and apply a surrogate model based on Gaussian process regression to predict the local aerodynamic characteristics of floating wind turbines. The candidate will generate an initial training dataset based on the results of a free wake vortex model coupled to the engineering tool OpenFAST. They will also be able to train the surrogate model on higher-fidelity data delivered by another PhD project.

Last Application Date: 08-10-2022

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14. PhD Position in Development and characterization of interphases for next-generation lithium batteries

Summary of PhD Program:

The PhD will work on the synthesis and development of solid-state electrolytes (with an emphasis on hybrid polymer-inorganic solid electrolytes) to be used in solid-state batteries. The main technique for their characterization will be solid-state NMR (chemical environment of specific elements and Li-ion kinetics), as well as (operando) X-ray and neutron diffraction, operando neutron depth profiling and electrochemical techniques which will play a larger/smaller role depending on the specific challenges. There is extensive expertise and experience within the hosting group on all of these techniques, providing ample opportunity for the applicant to build expertise efficiently.

Last Application Date: October 15, 2022

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15. PhD Position in Acoustic resonance for boundary layer flow control

Summary of PhD Program:

The project scope is inspired from direct applications of the topic to the aerospace industry. This project aims to investigate the underlying flow physics of a passive approach for turbulent boundary layer flow-control, utilizing acoustically self-resonating surfaces. The intent is to subtly attenuate features of the boundary layer turbulence that are primarily responsible for the generation of turbulent skin friction. Research will comprise the development of this passive, distributed surface technology for boundary layer flow control, and has applications towards friction reduction and wake suppression of separating boundary layer flows.

Last Application Date: 15 October 2022

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16. PhD Position in Finite element methods for simulating tokamaks

Summary of PhD Program:

The Numerical Analysis group at the Delft Institute of Applied Mathematics (DIAM) is looking for a motivated PhD candidate to develop, analyze and implement novel finite element methods for the simulation of tokamak reactors. Tokamaks are plasma confinement devices and are being actively studied because of their potential use as nuclear fusion reactors. The ability to reliably simulate complex plasma dynamics within a tokamak is of great scientific importance as it can lead to an understanding of optimal operational criteria without resorting to expensive experimentation. The development of such simulation methods involves many scientific challenges, and these challenges form the focus of this PhD project.

Last Application Date: October 15, 2022

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17. PhD Position in assessment and modelling of noise annoyance of current and future aircraft

Summary of PhD Program:

This PhD project will focus on the development of novel perception-based assessment techniques and modelling of aircraft noise annoyance. The PhD researcher will benefit from the extensive in-house expertise in the field. To perform the necessary experiments, the PhD researcher will be able to use the state-of-the-art equipment present at the research group, such as microphone arrays for acoustic measurements and the newly-developed psychoacoustic listening room.

Last Application Date: 15th October 2022

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18. PhD Position in Synthetic cells and sustainability: a philosophical assessment

Summary of PhD Program:

The PhD project will be part of the BASYC (“Building a synthetic cell”) project, a Dutch national research programme funded through a Gravitation grant by OCW/NWO. BaSyC proposes to build a synthetic cell from the bottom-up, to elucidating the intricate working of cellular life. At the same time, this endeavour raises fascinating philosophical questions. This PhD project explores how BaSyC contribute future technologies that foster sustainability and societal equality. Based on the recommendations by the BaSyC future panel, resulting in the Position Paper “Society and Synthetic Cells”.

Last Application Date: 16 October 2022

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19. PhD Position in Fractured Geothermal Reservoirs

Summary of PhD Program:

In the global north, over 40% of the total energy consumption is used for heating and cooling of buildings. Geothermal energy has the potential to significantly decarbonise energy supplies not only for heating and cooling but also for electricity generation, and therefore make a major contribution to the transition to a sustainable and just low-carbon energy future.

Last Application Date: 30 September 2022

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20. PhD Position in groundwater wells for heat storage: Methods for drilling and completion

Summary of PhD Program:

In this PhD project you will develop and test methods for drilling and completion of ATES wells with a focus on high temperature (>60-100°C) levels. You will contribute to a demonstration site, where technology will be investigated at field scale.

Last Application Date: 30 September 2022

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