PhD Position Design and Fabrication of Modular Actuator-Sensor Units for Over-Actuation

Delft; Delft; On-site; EUR 36,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

TU Delft in Delft, Netherlands, invites applications for a PhD position focused on the design and fabrication of modular actuator–sensor units for over-actuation. The role involves shaping transducers, interfacing with target systems, and embedding drive and sense solutions into communication topologies for control.

The successful candidate will hold an MSc in engineering or natural sciences and have expertise in piezoelectric actuators/sensors, precision manufacturing, and embedded electronics.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in engineering or natural sciences.
• Fields: Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, Applied Physics, or similar.
• Experience in piezoelectric actuators/sensors, precision manufacturing, materials interfacing, and electronics design.
• Excellent English, spoken and written.

Responsibilities

• Design and fabricate modular actuator–sensor units for over-actuation.
• Interface drive and sense solutions to the target system and embed connections into communication topologies for control.
• Develop methods for shaping transducers and embedding drive/sense solutions into modular units.

Skills

Piezoelectric actuators and sensors

Precision manufacturing

Mechanical interfacing

System design and embedded circuits

Education

MSc in engineering or natural sciences

Job description

PhD Position Design and Fabrication of Modular Actuator-Sensor Units for Over-Actuation

Design and fabrication of modular actuator-sensor units for over-actuation

As chip demand grows and traditional scaling slows down, manufacturers need faster, more precise machines. However, unwanted vibrations in high-speed systems limit how quickly and accurately chips can be made. Current solutions can’t handle these complex vibrations. ETCH develops a new approach called over-actuation: placing many tiny sensors and actuators inside machine parts to control vibrations exactly where they happen. This PhD position will be developing methods for design and fabrication of modular actuator–sensor units, including shaping of the transducers, interfacing to the target system, embedding of the drive and sense solutions and connections into communication topologies for control.

Job requirements

• Strong interest and curiosity in:
  • a) Piezoelectric actuators and sensors;
  • b) Precision manufacturing processes;
  • c) Mechanical interfacing of structures;
  • d) System design and embedded circuits;
• MSc (or equivalent) degree in an *engineering* or *natural sciences* discipline:
  • Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, Applied Physics, or similar;
• Experience in *one* (or more) of the following fields:
  • a) Piezoelectric actuators and sensors: design, manufacturing and experimental evaluation of piezoelectric-enabled sensing and/or actuation systems;
  • b) Precision manufacturing methods: micromachining methods, subractive manufacturing methods, multi-material additive manufacturing, or similar;
  • c) Physics of materials adhesion and interfacing: adhesion of dissimilar materials and composites, surface physics, and similar;
  • d) Design and implementation of electronic circuits: power amplifiers, sense amplifiers, embedded systems and similar;
• Beneficial experiences that will give an advantage (the more the better):
  • a) Additive and subtractive manufacturing methods;
  • b) Design and building of mechatronic systems and experimental set-ups;
  • c) Control engineering and dynamics analysis methods;
  • d) Numeric modelling methods application on piezoelectrics, funtional materials compliant mechanisms, composite materials, or similar;
  • e) Publication history in (international) conferences or journals;
• Excellent level of spoken and written 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.

Conditions of employment

Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1,5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months. Followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2,5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from€3204 - €4051 gross per month, from the first year to the fourth year based on a fulltime contract (38 hours), plus 8% holiday allowance and an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%.

As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills.

The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.

Will you need to relocate to the Netherlands for this job? TU Delft is committed to make your move as smooth as possible! The HR unit, Coming to Delft Service , offers information on their website to help you prepare your relocation. In addition, Coming to Delft Service organises events to help you settle in the Netherlands, and expand your (social) network in Delft. A Dual Career Programme is available, to support your accompanying partner with their job search in the Netherlands.

Additional information

For more information about this vacancy, please contact Andres Hunt:[e-mail] .

Faculty/Department: Faculty of Mechanical Engineering

FTE: 1,0

Submission is possible until: 4 Oct 2026