Postdoc Deep-learning Based Characterization of Engineered Cells for Cultivated Meat

Contribute your computer vision and software skills to engineer the next generation of cell lines for cost-effective, scalable and delicious cruelty-free meat!

Job description

‘Cultivated meat’, the production of genuine meat products from in vitro culture of animal cells, is an emerging biotechnology within the field of cellular agriculture with the potential to revolutionise food production from both an environmental and ethical perspective. Unfortunately, higher eukaryotic cells have severe limitations when cultured in vitro, including limited cellular lifespans, slow proliferation rates and demanding medium requirements. Characterizing cell properties and identifying cell lines with promising phenotypes typically require months-long, expensive characterization experiments.

Modern computer vision pipelines can significantly speed up this characterization process! We are hiring a postdoctoral scientists to join the group for a fully-funded project of 2 years. Within the Computer Vision Lab at TU Delft, you will build deep-learning based vision pipelines to preprocess, segment cells and perform phenotype classification and regression on a variety of microscopy images. You will deal with images from multiple microscopy domains, in order to predict important cell parameters to determine the viability of cell lines. You will deal with curating large amounts of data obtained from novel cell lines by the Flack group, and collaborate with microscopy scientists on data aquisition questions.

We’re looking for someone with excellent software development and object-oriented programming skills, ideally with some experience in biomedical image processing.

Within the scope of machine learning and computer vision, there will be freedom to suggest your own research directions, and to become acquainted with new techniques and approaches. There will be ample opportunities to supervise PhD, MSc and BSc students in the group, and to become familiar with grant writing and funding acquisition. Career advice and discussion will be available for both academic and industry-minded scientists. We are a friendly, dynamic and diverse group, performing research on a wide-range of computer vision and machine learning topics. We are looking for highly motivated candidates with strong project management and communication skills who’s excited to grow with us in this interdisciplinary project.

Successful candidates will be embedded within the larger Pattern Recognition and Bioinformatics Group. For more information about the group, please refer to https://www.tudelft.nl/ewi/over-de-faculteit/afdelingen/intelligent-systems/pattern-recognition-bioinformatics

For more information about the Flack group see https://www.tudelft.nl/tnw/over-faculteit/afdelingen/biotechnology/research-sections/bioprocess-engineering/josh-flack-group

For information about the TU Delft Graduate School, please visit https://www.tudelft.nl/onderwijs/opleidingen/phd

Job requirements

We are looking to build a diverse and complementary project team. Applicants should have or expect to receive a PhD in Computer Science, Engineering or a related field. Experience in some or all of the following or related fields are preferred: biomedical image processing, image or signal processing, software development, machine learning, and pattern recognition.

The successful applicant will have:

• very strong programming skills and experience with deep learning libraries;
• strong python and object-oriented programming skills;
• experience in developing and documenting large software pipelines, including some familiarity with frameworks such as docker and weights and biases;
• extensive experience with computer vision and managing large datasets;
• curiosity and critical thinking skills;
• the ability to work in a multi-disciplinary team;
• motivation to meet deadlines;
• curiosity or willingness to learn about the relevant biology and microscopy rearch;
• good oral and written communication skills;
• an interest in communicating their research results to a wider audience;
• an aptitude for guiding students;
• proficiency in English;  

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 Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science 

The Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EEMCS) brings together three scientific disciplines. Combined, they reinforce each other and are the driving force behind the technology we all use in our daily lives. Technology such as the electricity grid, which our faculty is helping to make completely sustainable and future-proof. At the same time, we are developing the chips and sensors of the future, whilst also setting the foundations for the software technologies to run on this new generation of equipment – which of course includes AI. Meanwhile we are pushing the limits of applied mathematics, for example mapping out disease processes using single cell data, and using mathematics to simulate gigantic ash plumes after a volcanic eruption. In other words: there is plenty of room at the faculty for ground-breaking research. We educate innovative engineers and have excellent labs and facilities that underline our strong international position. In total, more than 1000 employees and 4,000 students work and study in this innovative environment.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science.

Conditions of employment 

• Duration of contract is 2 years Temporary
• A job of 38-40 hours per week. 
• Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities.
• An excellent pension scheme via the ABP. 
• The possibility to compile an individual employment package every year. 
• Discount with health insurers on supplemental packages. 
• Flexible working week. 
• Every year, 232 leave hours (at 38 hours). You can also sell or buy additional leave hours via the individual choice budget. 
• Plenty of opportunities for education, training and courses. 
• Partially paid parental leave 
• Attention for working healthy and energetically with the vitality program. 

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. Nergis Tomen, via n.tomen@tudelft.nl.

Application procedure

Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 11 January 2026 via the application button and upload the following documents:

• CV
• Motivational letter

You can address your application to Dr. Nergis Tomen.

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.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.