Launch week offerEnds in00h00m00s
annual Promonthly Pro
Delft University of Technology
Top university
Just Landed
New Today
PhD Position in Computational Design and Fabrication of Adaptive 3D-Printed Structures Delft University of Technology in Netherlands
Degree Level
PhD
Field of study
Computer Science
Funding
4-year PhD employment; salary according to the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing by year, plus 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% end-of-year bonus.
Deadline
Nov 27, 2026
Country
Netherlands
University
Delft University of Technology
Apply for this position
Free with an ApplyKite account: the application link, the deadline in your tracker and a check of your fit.
Keywords
Suggested positions
About this position
This PhD project explores how multi-material additive manufacturing and computational design can be combined to create structures that do more than carry loads: they can sense, respond, and adapt to changing use conditions and human needs.
You will work on fabrication-aware design methods for 3D-printed adaptive structures, investigating how geometry, material distribution, embedded electronics functions, and manufacturing parameters can be designed together to achieve both structural performance and functional behaviour. The project combines computational modelling with hands-on prototyping and experimental validation.
Your research will include developing workflows for lattice geometries and multi-material layouts, designing and fabricating prototypes, and evaluating stiffness, deformation, sensing, actuation, and durability under static and cyclic loading. The work also includes integrating promising concepts into demonstrators, including a wheelchair cushion used to study sitting pressure redistribution and user comfort.
You will join the Materializing Futures group in the Department of Sustainable Design Engineering within the Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering at Delft University of Technology. The group works across design research, health, sustainability, and mobility, and the project gives access to the faculty’s digital fabrication facilities and the Comfort Lab.
The project is supervised by Dr. Mehmet Özdemir and Dr. Wolf Song, and includes collaboration with experts in ergonomics, smart materials, and industry partners.
Funding details
4-year PhD employment; salary according to the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing by year, plus 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% end-of-year bonus.
What's required
Applicants should have a Master’s degree or equivalent in Industrial Design Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related field. They should have hands-on experience with 3D printing and with building and testing physical prototypes, experience with computational or parametric design such as Rhino/Grasshopper or Python, strong interest in combining mechanics, materials, electronics, and human factors, and in research with sound experimental design, the ability to work in a multidisciplinary team, communicate effectively, take initiative, and proficiency in written and spoken English. Desirable experience includes sensors and basic electronics for sensor readout and control such as Arduino, finite element analysis, soft robotics or user studies, and prior publications.
How to apply
Apply online via the application button before 27 November 2026. Upload your CV and cover letter. You may also include a portfolio or links to relevant projects, code samples, or publications in your CV.
Make your next move.
Prepare your application
Review drafts and confirm requirements with the university.
Make your next move.
Prepare your application
Review drafts and confirm requirements with the university.