Researcher vacatures in Delft

Researcher position

Delft University of Technology (TU Delft)

Posted on Feb 20, 2026

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 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.

Job requirements

• 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!

Faculty Industrial Design Engineering

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.

Conditions of employment

• Duration of contract is 3 years. Temporary
• A job of 36-40 hours per week.
• A salary based on Scale 10 of the CAO for Dutch Universities with a salary between €3546 - €5538 gross per month based on a fulltime contract (38 hours), plus 8% holiday allowance and an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%.
• 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.

Additional information

For more information about this vacancy, please contact: , email: