Challenge: Understand how life emerges from molecular interactions.
Change: Combine physics and biology to decode cells at the nanoscale.
Impact: New insights into disease and the fundamentals of life.
Imagine watching the inner workings of a living cell, where the fundamental laws of physics meet the complexity of life at the nanoscale. Since 2010, the Department of Bionanoscience at Delft University of Technology has been on a pioneering quest to decode these principles. We are a multidisciplinary and international community of scientists driven by a singular mission: to understand how interactions at the smallest scales give rise to biological function or the onset of disease. From observing the dance of single molecules to the bottom-up construction of synthetic cells, we bridge the gap between physics and the full complexity of living systems. Now, we invite you to join our group of 19 Principal Investigators at TU Delft to help us write the next chapter in our understanding of Life.
The Department of Bionanoscience, part of the Kavli Institute of Nanoscience Delft, is a world-leading environment for fundamental research at the interface of biology and physics. We focus on biological processes from the level of single molecules to the full complexity of living cells. We seek an early career Principal Investigator who has demonstrated excellence in experimental research and thrives on conducting original research with impact, geared to understanding how life works, either at the molecular or cellular level. We encourage applications from researchers with a biophysics-oriented perspective or approach. Harnessing your communication skills, you inspire and convince funding agencies and partners of your vision and research. You actively seek collaboration with relevant faculties, universities and external stakeholders. In addition, you enjoy mentoring, teaching and interacting with students, while continuously developing yourself and your academic career. Your research will benefit from our in-house facilities, including a central optical microscopy, a cell culture, a protein purification, a cryo-EM, mass spectrometry, flowcytometry, and the Kavli Nanolab Delft cleanroom. Our laboratory space is located in a modern building with dedicated lab areas for building and operating sensitive physical instrumentation.
As a Principal Investigator, you will:
- Establish an independent experimental research line that is complementary to our current strengths in single-molecule biophysics, synthetic biology, and quantitative cell biology.
- Secure external funding through competitive grants (e.g., NWO Vidi, ERC StG) to build and lead a team of PhD students, Postdocs and Technicians.
- Provide excellent education by teaching and developing courses for our unique BSc and MSc programs in Nanobiology; a program at the interface of biology, physics and math.
- Contribute to a collaborative culture, interacting synergistically with existing research groups and participating in the management of the department and our educational program(s).
The ideal candidate is a creative experimentalist who thrives on scientific and engineering challenges. You should possess:
- A PhD in a relevant field (e.g., Biophysics, Biochemistry, Cell biology, Bionanotechnology) and relevant post-doctoral experience.
- An outstanding scientific track record, evidenced by high-quality publications.
- A clear vision for a new, independent experimental research line that uses advanced methodology to probe, manipulate or engineer cellular life or its components.
- A passion for education and the ability to inspire students in an international environment.
- Obtain the University Teaching Qualification (UTQ) within three years.
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!
With more than 1,100 employees, including 150 pioneering principal investigators, as well as a population of about 3,600 passionate students, the Faculty of Applied Sciences is an inspiring scientific ecosystem. Focusing on key enabling technologies, such as quantum- and nanotechnology, photonics, biotechnology, synthetic biology and materials for energy storage and conversion, our faculty aims to provide solutions to important problems of the 21st century. To that end, we educate innovative students in broad Bachelor's and specialist Master's programmes with a strong research component. Our scientists conduct ground-breaking fundamental and applied research in the fields of Life and Health Science & Technology, Nanoscience, Chemical Engineering, Radiation Science & Technology, and Engineering Physics. We are also training the next generation of high school teachers.
Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Applied Sciences.
Conditions of employment
This position is offered as an Academic Career Track position (0.8 – 1.0 FTE). During the Academic Career Track, we expect you to grow towards an Associate Professor position within a maximum of eight years, for which a position will be available. With other Academic Career Track colleagues, you will participate in the Academic Career Track Development programme, where you are offered ample opportunities to develop yourself in the areas of Education, Research, Societal Impact & Innovation, and Leadership & Organisation. You will regularly discuss your development and results with senior staff based on a personalized development plan and performance criteria agreed upon at the start of your Academic Career Track. You will start with a temporary contract that will be converted to a permanent contract no later than 12 -18 months after a positive evaluation, based on continuous confidence in your development potential and fit in the organisation.
Inspiring, excellent education is our central aim. We expect you to obtain a University Teaching Qualification (UTQ) within three years if you have less than five years of teaching experience. This is provided by the TU Delft UTQ programme as part of the Academic Career Track Development programme.
TU Delft sets high standards for the English competency of the teaching staff. The TU Delft offers training to improve English competency. If you do not speak Dutch, we offer courses to learn the Dutch language within three years.
Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged and you can work partly from home.
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, provides information and personal one-on-one guidance to help you prepare your relocation, and to find housing and schools for children (if applicable). 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
If you would like more information about this vacancy or the selection procedure, please contact Martin Depken, Chair Department Bionanoscience, via or S.M.Depken@tudelft.nl.
Application procedure
Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 30 July 2026 via the application button and upload the following documents:
- Motivation letter (max 2 pages).
- Detailed CV and a full publication record.
- Research plan outlining your vision for an experimental program in the physics of life (max. 3 pages).
- Teaching statement describing your educational philosophy and ambitions (max. 1 page).
We encourage you to apply as soon as possible, as we will begin contacting applicants while the vacancy is still open. Due to the summer break, interviews are scheduled to take place in September.
You can address your application to Martin Depken, Chair Department Bionanoscience.
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.
- Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.
