Researcher position

Delft University of Technology (TU Delft)

Organisation/Company Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) Research Field Engineering » Biomaterial engineering Engineering » Materials engineering Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Final date to receive applications 15 Mar 2026 - 22:59 (UTC) Country Netherlands Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Not Applicable Hours Per Week 40.0 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Material development, prototype design and sustainability analysis of PHA based applications

Job description

Your work will be centered around two closely linked materials: the bioplastic PHA which is produced by and extracted from bacteria feeding on organic waste streams, and PHA-X, a composite obtained from PHA-rich biomass.

You will further develop, test and optimize the PHA-X material, you will, in close collaboration with two industrial partners, contribute to designing, manufacturing, testing and optimizing two prototypes from PHA-X, with a special focus on biodegradability and prolonging life-expectancy by applying biobased coatings.

You will further develop, test and optimize a sustainability analysis methodology. You will, in close collaboration with two knowledge institutes and with the help of the other consortium members, apply this methodology throughout the project on both PHA-based and PHA-X based applications.

Your tasks will include :

• Developing, testing and optimizing the PHA-X material
• Designing, manufacturing, testing and optimising of two prototypes from PHA-X
• Developing, testing and optimising a sustainability analysis methods

As this project combines both fundamental scientific knowledge on material development, applies research on designing of prototypes and a methodological sustainability approach, the candidate will be fully employed at the Industrial Design Engineering faculaty of TU Delft, but will spend roughly 1 day / week at an industrial partner in Delft, and roughly 1 day/week at AMS Institute in Amsterdam.

• You have a master’s degree in industrial design engineering, material science, mechanical engineering or related field (or will have by the time of your appointment).
• You have a hands‑on mindset and enjoy conducting experimental work.

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!

Matching the evolution of people with the speed of the revolution of technology. This is the focus of the Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering (IDE). Delft designers act as a bridge between advances in technology and the needs of people, organisations and society to create products, services and systems with purpose.

IDE is a leader in design research across the application areas of mobility, sustainability and health, as well as its development of design tools and methods. A 350-strong research team and over 2,000 students work together in our inspiring hall, labs and studios.

In close cooperation with industry, the public sector and NGOs we rehearse possible…