PhD Position Mechanical Design of Compact High Performance Inertial Sensors

Interested in working on a the future of optical inertial sensing for mechatronic vibration control? Join our team!

Job description

The CHiPS (Compact High-Precision Sensors) project aims to generate the next generation of extremely sensitive inertial sensors for application in big-science projects and high-tech industry where there is an urgent need for improved active vibration isolation while at the same time the available space is reduced. The project will be carried out in a team of 3 PhD researchers, one at the gravitational-wave research group at the at Nikhef and two at the department of Precision and Microsystems Engineering (PME) at the Delft University of Technology. It is funded through the Dutch National Growth Fund NXTGEN programme of NWO.

This vacancy is for a four-year PhD researcher based at the department of Precision and Microsystems Engineering (PME) at Delft University of Technology. Your project will focus on the mechanical design of the sensor, i.e. the kinematics and stiffness tuning of the proof mass guiding mechanism. As the proof mass will be reduced by a factor of three due to space limitations, the low-stiffness requirements are increased accordingly, and more so because of the raised performance of the new sensor. Apart from horizontal inertial sensing, also the more challenging vertical direction will be considered, as well as the hardware interface to the environment. As a part of your PhD research you will regularly visit our industrial and scientific partners to learn about the challenges and constraints. You will also study the problem in detail with the academic team and propose techniques, build setups and demonstration prototypes to solve these challenges. Ultimately, the new sensor will need to work 24/7 in the most challenging situations in semiconductor manufacturing equipment and gravitational wave detectors. Together with the multidisciplinary advisory team, you and your fellow PhD researchers, will deliver ChiPS to ASML and Einstein Telescope!

The project is a collaboration between Nikhef and TU Delft.

Nikhef: The National institute for subatomic physics Nikhef (www.nikhef.nl) is an open, diverse organisation with an international focus and a strong technical slant. About 220 physicists and 80 engineers and technicians daily shape the Dutch participation in international experiments in particle physics, e.g. at CERN, and astroparticle physics, such as cosmic rays and gravitational waves. The Amsterdam gravitational-wave group has broad expertise including in (active) seismic attenuation, inertial and position sensor development, interferometer simulation, computing and data analysis. Our group is involved in the worldwide effort of advancing gravitational-wave instrumentation, which will give you opportunities to engage with researchers all around the world.

TU Delft, department PME:

PME: At the very small-scale, dynamics change influence of gravity diminishes, adhesion forces become more dominant, and nonlinear effects can be exploited, like in extremely sensitive sensors based on 2D materials. The industrial manufacturing of micro- and nano-scale devices requires high-precision equipment that typically needs to move fast to generate industrially relevant production volumes. Microsystems and precision instruments also increasingly find application in medical diagnostics and precision agriculture. PME drives advances in the field of precision engineering systems and microsystems, including highly sensitive miniaturized sensors, fast and accurate production equipment, and advanced methods for design, analysis, and manufacturing.

Teaching activities are part of your PhD trajectory and may include, for example: supervising workgroups or lab sessions, assisting in courses, or mentoring BSc and MSc students. While teaching will not be your main responsibility, it offers valuable experience that supports your development and prepares you for future academic or professional roles. Teaching activities will not exceed 20% of your total appointment, averaged over the course of your PhD. 

Job requirements

•  A master’s degree in mechanical engineering or a related field.
• Interest in building state of art sensitive experimental setups.
• Capability in computer drawing, modelling and simulating.
• Proficient in English reading and writing, with good communication skills.
• The ability to work independently and collaborate with an interdisciplinary group.
• Highly motivated and creative.
• Experience in presenting and publishing scientific work is optional.
• Experience in mechanical design in precision engineering is preferred.

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 

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 € 2872 per month in the first year to € 3670 in the fourth year. 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

Unsure if you qualify or need more information about this vacancy? Feel free to contact prof. Just Herder, Department of Precision and Microsystems Engineering, email: j.l.herder@tudelft.nl    

Application procedure

Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 10 August 2025 via the application button and upload the following documents:

• CV
• Motivational letter

For more information about the application procedure, please contact Ms Linda Verhaar, HR Advisor, email: recruitment-me@tudelft.nl     

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. 
• A pre-employment screening can be part of the selection procedure.
• For the final candidates, a knowledge security check will be part of the application procedure. For more information on this check, please consult Chapter 8 of the National Knowledge Security Guidelines. We carry out this check on the basis of legitimate interest.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.