We are seeking a PhD researcher for a 4-year contract to develop streamlined, automated design workflows for 3D-printed hand and wrist medical devices such as patient-specific implants and surgical tools, and to evaluate their performance. The project will also explore data-driven and AI-based approaches to support device design.
Job description
You will be part of a multidisciplinary team and supervised by Drs. Nazli Tümer and Jie Zhou and Prof. Amir Zadpoor within the Department of Biomechanical Engineering at TU Delft. This position is supported by the Hand2Hand project, which is funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF): https://interregvlaned.eu/hand2hand/over-ons. Your research will be conducted through close collaboration with the other 10 project partners in the Netherlands and Belgium.
There are many opportunities for you to grow your academic career through coursework, mentoring BSc/MSc Students, consortium participation, conference presentations, webinars/workshops, and teaching.
Diversity and Inclusion:
The TU Delft Faculty of Mechanical Engineering is committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion. If you have a unique story that motivates you or drives your curiosity we would be delighted to hear it. We especially encourage applicants from underrepresented groups in science, technology and engineering .
TU Delft values a safe, inclusive and diverse work environment. To reinforce that, we have committed ourselves to the joint Statement Social Safety of the Association of Universities in the Netherlands and the National Action Plan for Diversity and Inclusion. We participate in a Social Safety Programme.
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.
Job requirements
You should have:
- An MSc degree in Biomechanical Engineering or a closely related discipline by the start date of the position (March 2026)
- Experience in scientific programming (e.g., Python, Matlab)
- Experience in collecting experimental data, for example, through mechanical testing
- Experience in finite-element analysis
- Basic knowledge of and/or experience in AI-driven models
- The ability to manage multiple tasks effectively
- Excellent written and oral communication skills in English
The following aspects will help you stand out:
- The ability to thrive in a multidisciplinary research environment
- A self-motivated, proactive, and self-driven working attitude
- Curiosity-driven self-learning ability
- Written and oral communication skills in Dutch
- Knowledge of computer aided design
- Experience in medical image analysis and data processing
Keep in mind that this describes the background we imagine would best fit the role. Even if you do not meet all the requirements and feel that you are up for the task, we absolutely want to see your application! The PhD process is a learning experience.
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 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 €3059 - €3881 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 Nazli Tümer (N.Tumer-1@tudelft.nl).
Application procedure
Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 16 February 2026 via the application button and upload the following documents:
-
Motivation letter and CV.
-
Abstract of your MSc thesis.
-
Contact information for up to 3 references.
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:
- #EUfunded This is an EU funded project, named Hand2Hand, within Interreg Nederland-Vlaanderen
- You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
- As part of knowledge security, TU Delft conducts a risk assessment during the recruitment of personnel. We do this, among other things, to prevent the unwanted transfer of sensitive knowledge and technology. The assessment is based on information provided by the candidates themselves, such as their motivation letter and CV, and takes place at the final stages of the selection process. When the outcome of the assessment is negative, the candidate will be informed. The processing of personal data in the context of the risk assessment is carried out on the legal basis of the GDPR: performing a public task in the public interest. You can find more information about this assessment on our website about knowledge security.
- Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.
