Join TU Delft and contribute to the transition towards cleaner and smarter shipping. As a postdoctoral researcher in Maritime AI, you will develop data-driven and physics-informed models to optimise fuel efficiency and reduce emissions in real-world vessel operations.
Job description
At TU Delft, you will contribute to research that addresses one of the most pressing challenges in the maritime sector: reducing fuel consumption and emissions while maintaining safe and efficient operations. Within this project, you will develop advanced modelling approaches that combine artificial intelligence with physical insights to better understand and predict vessel performance under real operating conditions such as variable weather and progressive hull fouling. Within this project, you will develop advanced modelling approaches that combine artificial intelligence with physical insights to better understand and predict vessel performance under real operating conditions such as variable weather and progressive hull fouling. The position is embedded in the Maritime AI Innovation Lab, a collaborative initiative involving TU Delft, MARIN, Damen, RH Marine, SafeSystems, Spliethoff, and Ocean AI, and aims to translate cutting-edge research into practical tools for cleaner and more efficient ship operations.
The maritime industry is undergoing a major transition towards more sustainable operations, driven by stricter environmental regulations and global decarbonisation targets. Digitalisation and AI play a key role in this transition, enabling more accurate predictions of fuel consumption, improved maintenance strategies, and optimised vessel performance. The long-term goal of this research is to support the maritime sector’s transition to lower-emission and more energy-efficient operations by enabling reliable, data-driven decision support for vessel performance monitoring, maintenance planning, and operational optimisation. By combining domain knowledge with AI, the project contributes to the development of trustworthy digital tools that can be deployed in real-world maritime settings and help accelerate decarbonisation across the industry.
Your responsibilities
In this role, you will develop and apply hybrid modelling approaches to improve the energy efficiency and operational performance of maritime vessels. As a postdoctoral researcher, you will:
- Develop hybrid models that combine physics-based knowledge with AI techniques to predict vessel fuel consumption under operational conditions
- Design and validate data-driven biofouling detection and monitoring methods, enabling condition-based maintenance strategies
- Integrate environmental factors (waves, wind, currents) and operational data into predictive performance models
- Collaborate with partners to test and validate your methods on real-world datasets and demonstrator platforms
- Contribute to scientific publications, conference presentations, and project deliverables
- Support the supervision of MSc and PhD students working in related areas
Your work environment
You will work at the Department of Maritime & Transport Technology, in the Sustainable Drive and Energy Systems Group, under the supervision and guidance of Dr. Andrea Coraddu. You will be part of the Maritime AI Innovation Lab, working in close collaboration with academic and industrial partners including TU Delft, MARIN, Damen, RH Marine, SafeSystems, Spliethoff, and Ocean AI.
You will be part of a large team of PhD students working on different aspects of the energy transition in the maritime sector. You will work in a stimulating, interdisciplinary environment, bridging cutting-edge research with industrial relevance. The position provides a unique opportunity to advance the state of the art in maritime digital twins, AI for energy efficiency, and sustainable shipping technologies.
Job requirements
We are looking for a motivated and capable postdoctoral researcher who combines independence with a collaborative mindset. You are proactive in your approach, able to engage effectively with stakeholders in both academia and industry, and willing to contribute to the supervision of MSc and PhD students within the group.
Furthermore, you meet the following criteria:
- You have expertise and/or a strong interest in maritime energy systems, data-driven modelling, and hybrid physics–AI approaches.
- You hold a PhD (or are close to completion) in maritime engineering, mechanical engineering, applied mathematics, computer science, or a related field.
- You have a solid background in modelling of dynamic systems and/or machine learning for engineering applications.
- You have an interest in applying these methods to fuel consumption, propulsion, and biofouling monitoring in maritime contexts.
- Experience with data analysis, simulation tools, or digital twins is considered an advantage.
- You have strong written and verbal communication skills in English.
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
- Duration of contract is 1 year. Temporary
- A job of 32-40 hours per week.
- Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities.
- An excellent pension scheme via the ABP.
- The possibility to compile an individual employment package every year.
- Discount with health insurers on supplemental packages.
- Flexible working week.
- Every year, 232 leave hours (at 38 hours). You can also sell or buy additional leave hours via the individual choice budget.
- Plenty of opportunities for education, training and courses.
- Partially paid parental leave
- Attention for working healthy and energetically with the vitality program.
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, you can contact Dr Andrea Coraddu, (a.coraddu@tudelft.nl).
Application procedure
Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 14 June 2026 via the application button and upload the following documents:
You can address your application to Dr. Andrea Coraddu.
Please note:
- 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.
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