Ultrasound sensors for quantitatively measuring the viscosity of flows.
Job description
Continuous, non-invasive measurements of fluid properties are instrumental in factories that produce food, medicine and semiconductor products such as microchips and solar cells. Such fluid measurements also find application in environmental monitoring and e.g. medical infusion systems in neonatal care. In essence, good in-line measurement systems provide immediate process information and therefore enable high quality products while preventing waste from production errors. Thus they contribute to healthcare and sustainable food production.
This project aims to develop innovative, modular and scalable flowmeters that measure both flow and viscosity by ultrasonic surface acoustic wave sensing principles. Although the basic principle of flow and viscosity measurements using surface acoustic waves is well known and already applied in sensors, viscosity measurements are not fully understood and not carried out using ultrasound in commercial flow meters until now. The quantitative, accurate measurement of viscosity has yet to be demonstrated in ultrasound flow measurement systems.
Your project will be carried out at TU Delft, in close collaboration with Twente University and leading companies in the field of flow sensing.
It is expected that you will:
- Investigate and conduct research on ultrasound sensors and viscosity of flows.
- Develop and invent novel measurement strategies and methods.
- Set up a quantitative, experimentally validated model of the ultrasonic flow sensors
- Design an experimental sensing platform required for this project.
- Characterize ultrasound propagation loss, quality factors, and travel speed, while also studying resonance behaviour and determining the optimal excitation frequencies for maximizing signal-to-noise ratios.
- Write a doctoral dissertation, publish results in renowned peer reviewed journals and presenting research in international conferences.
- Engage in education activities, such as supervising master students
We hope that you are enthusiastic about this project. Feel free to contact us with questions. .
Job requirements
We are looking for people with:
- MSc in mechanical engineering, physics, materials science or a related area.
- Experience with modeling, experiments and design.
- Team players with good communication skills.
- Creative, independent and self-motivated. with initiative and ability to setup, organise and execute your research.
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.
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
If you would like more information about this vacancy or the selection procedure, please contact Dr. G.J. Verbiest, via G.J.Verbiest@tudelft.nl or Prof. P.G. Steeneken via P.G.Steeneken@tudelft.nl.
Application procedure
Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 28 August 2026 via the application button and upload the following documents:
You can address your application to Dr. G.J. Verbiest.
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.
- 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.
- Applying for an exemption for specific research and educational areas is an obligatory part of the selection procedure for this vacancy. This exemption must be obtained from the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science (OCW) before an employment contract is agreed upon. Click here for more information.
- Please do not contact us for unsolicited services
