PhD Position Mechanochemistry Soft Matter Imaging and Mechanics

Create new smart molecules that illuminate invisible forces in polymers. In this PhD project, you will develop chemistry-based imaging tools to reveal how soft materials behave under mechanical stress, with direct impact on advanced materials and bio-applications.

Soft matter materials such as polymers and hydrogels are essential building blocks for applications including metamaterials, soft robotics and biomedical implants. In real-world use, materials are often exposed to complex mechanical loads, yet understanding their internal mechanics in real time remains a major scientific challenge. This limits our ability to understand, predict and improve material performance.

In this PhD project, you address that challenge by developing chemistry-based imaging approaches that make mechanical stresses inside soft materials directly visible. By integrating mechanochemistry with advanced imaging and mechanics, the research aims to bridge molecular‑scale responses and macroscopic material behaviour. The outcomes of this work will enable new experimental tools for characterising soft matter and contribute to the rational design of high‑performance, mechanically robust soft materials.

As a PhD you will:

• Develop chemical and physical understanding of chemistry-driven, mechanosensitive imaging concepts.
• Design and synthesize mechanosensitive molecules for application in soft matter systems.
• Develop experimental approaches for imaging-based characterization of soft materials.
• Combine synthesis, characterization and imaging to link molecular responses to continuum-scale mechanics.
• Collaborate across disciplines with researchers in mechanics, materials science and chemistry.
• Supervise and mentor MSc students working on related research projects.

The position is embedded in an interdisciplinary research environment at TU Delft, jointly hosted by the Functional Polymers and Sensors group (Dr. Georgy Filonenko) and the Mechanics, Materials, and Computing group (Dr. Sid Kumar). You will work closely with researchers across chemistry, materials science and mechanics, with access to state-of-the-art experimental and computational facilities and strong international collaborations. The environment is open and collaborative, promoting daily interaction and knowledge exchange.

With minimal hierarchical barriers, you’ll benefit from strong mentorship and tailored training. Professional growth is a priority, ensuring your success in academia.

• Experience in synthetic organic chemistry. Knowledge of polymer science is advantageous for this position.
• Strong teamwork and communication skills. They are of very high importance to us as we foster inclusive and collaborative environment and look for applicants who share these values.
• Ability and motivation to learn across disciplines is central to the project and we offer extensive training to develop scientific and soft skills.
• Experience in hands‑on experimental work (e.g., synthesis, prototyping and device fabrication).

• Experience in photophysics, optics and imaging is highly appreciated.
• Master’s degree in chemistry, chemical engineering, materials science, physics or a related field.
• Basic programming skills (e.g. Python, PyTorch, Tensor Flow).
• Drive to tackle interdisciplinary challenges and communicate across fields.

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…