PhD Position on Mechanics of Self-Sensing Soft Matter with Machine Learning

Join us to explore the mechanics of soft matter through a unique blend of theory, hands-on experiments, and machine learning.

Job description

Soft matter such as polymers and hydrogels are increasingly central to applications in soft metamaterials and bio-implants. Yet, understanding their mechanics in real time remains a major challenge. Their behavior involves nonlinearities, viscous effects, and multiphysics coupling, which are difficult to capture in-situ with traditional methods. Typically, imaging is possible in such application, but full mechanical characterization is not.

Our vision is to change that. Working closely with chemists, we have developed mechanosensing chemistry that enables soft materials to “report” their internal stresses directly through imaging. In this PhD project, you will combine continuum mechanics, machine learning, experimental imaging, and mechanical testing to design and characterize self-sensing soft matter capable of revealing its mechanics from the inside out. 

Your role:

• Develop experimental approaches for imaging-based characterization of soft matter.
• Apply and advance continuum mechanics and machine learning techniques to infer mechanical properties from imaging data.
• Integrate theory, computation, and hands-on experiments in a highly interdisciplinary setting.
• Collaborate across disciplines to push the boundaries of soft matter research.
  
  

What we offer:

• A 4-year fully funded PhD position at TU Delft.
• The opportunity to lead a pioneering project at the intersection of mechanics, materials, and machine learning.
• Collaboration with international experts from diverse disciplines.
• Access to cutting-edge computational and experimental facilities.
• Supervision of MSc researchers.
• Mentorship and career development support. 
  
  

This position is jointly embedded in the research groups of Dr. Sid Kumar (Mechanics, Materials, and Computing group) and Dr. Georgy Filonenko (Functional Polymers and Sensors group).

Research group of Dr. Sid Kumar: Mechanics, Materials, and Computing group, https://www.mech-mat.com/.

Research group of Dr. Georgy Filonenko: Functional Polymers and Sensors group: www.tudelft.nl/me/over/afdelingen/materials-science-and-engineering/research/functional-polymers-and-sensors-fps-group.

Job requirements

• Master’s degree in applied mechanics, mechanical engineering, materials science, aerospace engineering, physics, applied physics, chemistry, chemical engineering, computer science, or a related field.
• Experience in continuum solid mechanics.
• Experience with machine learning for scientific applications.
• Strong programming skills (e.g. Python, PyTorch, TensorFlow).
• Enthusiasm for hands-on experimental work (e.g., mechatronics).
• Familiarity with polymers or other soft materials.
• Drive to tackle interdisciplinary challenges and communicate across fields.
• Strong teamwork and communication skills. 

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 Promovendus 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
For more information about this vacancy, please contact Georgy Filonenko (G.A.Filonenko@tudelft.nl) and Sid Kumar (Sid.Kumar@tudelft.nl).

Application procedure
Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 12 October 2025 via the application button and upload the following documents:

• Curriculum vitae (CV).
• Transcript of grades and courses from both your Master's and Bachelor's degrees.
• Cover letter describing your interest in and motivation for this position.
• A sample of your original scientific writing (e.g., MSc thesis, scientific paper). If your MSc thesis is not yet complete and you do not have a published paper, you may instead provide a project report or other document that demonstrates your scientific writing.

You can address your application to Georgy Filonenko and Sid Kumar.

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