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

Job description

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

A suitable candidate is strongly motivated about the research content and has a suitable preparation to conduct research that consists of both theoretical and experimental tasks:

1. 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;

2. MSc (or equivalent) degree in an *engineering* or *natural sciences* discipline:

Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, Applied Physics, or similar;

3. 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;

4. 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;

5. Excellent level of spoken and written English.

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.

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: A.Hunt@tudelft.nl.

Application procedure

Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 4 October 2026 via the application button and upload the following documents:

• A short motivation letter explaining why you are the right candidate for this project
• An up-to-date resume
• Transcripts of your degrees and grades (i.e. both BSc and MSc, or equivalent studies)
• A copy or a draft of your MSc thesis report; Key scientific papers (if applicable)
• If the applicants are selected for an interview, they will be asked to provide contact details of at least two referees with their consent
• Portfolio of past scientific and engineering activities (optional)

You can address your application to Andres Hunt.

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.

Please note:

• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
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