Postdoc Researcher in Micro-Fluidics for Next-Gen Chip Assembly

Are you passionate about micro-fluidics, precision engineering, and cutting-edge technology research with immediate industrial impact? Join us in revolutionizing micro-chip assembly!

Job description

CONTEXT AND CHALLENGE

Hundreds of billions of electronic components are manufactured annually, and find their way in e.g. phones, computers, sensors and displays.The core of any electronic component is a chip, which is a small piece of silicon manufactured using lithography-based wafer technology. However, every chip must be handled, positioned, and assembled to function effectively. Current most advanced chip assembly machines run at tens of thousands of products per hour. In order to keep up with the market demands, micro-chip assembly must become even faster, more accurate and more sustainable. This requires radically new assembly concepts and processes - and that's where you come in!

We develop innovative micro-chip assembly processes, using micro-droplet physics and technology. This allows soft-contact chip handling, placement and alignment. Your research will help tackle key technical challenges, including handling ultra-small chips (<100 micrometers), achieving ultra-high precision (1-3 micrometers), and maximizing throughput.

This vacancy is part of a large collaborative research project with a leading Dutch chip assembly company, providing an exciting opportunity to bridge the gap between cutting-edge research and real-world applications.

YOUR ROLE

We are looking for a talented Postdoctoral Researcher to join our multidisciplinary team in developing next-generation micro-chip assembly processes using micro-droplet physics and technology. As a Postdoctoral Researcher, you will:

• Investigate the fundamental physics of micro-droplets in the context of chip assembly.
• Develop novel micro-chip handling processes optimized for high acceleration, velocity, and precision.
• Conduct advanced experimental research, supported by numerical and/or analytical modeling.
• Design and implement new experimental setups to test and validate assembly processes.
• Collaborate closely with PhD students, postdocs, and scientists from TU Delft and our industrial partner.
• Contribute to high-impact scientific publications in engineering and physics.
• Explore real-world industrial integration of your findings in next-generation assembly machines.
• Participate in teaching and mentoring MSc students, contributing to knowledge transfer and team development.

This role offers a unique learning experience in a highly interdisciplinary research environment, with direct industry relevance and real-world technological impact. 

Job requirements

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR

We seek enthusiastic candidates who identify with one or more of the following profiles:

• A PhD degree in Micro & Nano Engineering, Applied Physics, Dynamics, Precision Mechanical/Mechatronic Engineering, or a related field.
• Strong knowledge and expertise in micro-fluidics, fluid dynamics, or fluid-structure interactions (experience with micro-droplets is a plus!).
• A solid background in experimental research, with a strong interest in combining experimental work with analytical or numerical modeling.
• Hands-on experience in designing, building, and operating experimental setups, particularly in areas such as: Actuators/motion systems; Vision systems and optics; Sensors and control systems (LabView or similar).
• A team-oriented mindset, eager to collaborate with researchers and industry experts.
• Excellent spoken and written English communication skills.
• A passion for working on groundbreaking, high-impact technology and translating research into industrial applications.

WHY JOIN US?

• Cutting-edge research at the intersection of micro-fluidics, precision engineering, and semiconductor technology.
• Immediate industry impact, working in close collaboration with a leading Dutch semiconductor company.
• A dynamic, multidisciplinary research environment, alongside 4 PhD and 4 Postdoc researchers.
• Access to advanced experimental facilities and the opportunity to develop new setups.
• Career development opportunities, including mentoring, teaching, and industry networking.
• A chance to shape the future of micro-chip assembly with high-speed, high-precision, and sustainable processes.

Ready to take on the challenge? Apply now and become part of a team driving the future of semiconductor technology!   

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 

• Duration of contract is 2 years.
• A job of 38-40 hours per week. 

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. 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 Dr. Ir. Marcel Tichem, m.tichem@tudelft.nl.    

Promising applicants will be invited for an on-line interview. Selected candidates will be invited for an on-site interview.

For information about the application procedure, please contact the HR department through recruitment-me@tudelft.nl or the vacancy holder Dr. Ir. Marcel Tichem, m.tichem@tudelft.nl.

Application procedure

Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 31 March 2025 via the application button and upload the following documents:

• CV

• Motivational letter

You can address your application to Marcel Tichem.

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.