PhD Position Multi-material additive manufacturing for microfluidic medical devices
Delft University of Technology
devices Apply Now
We aim at developing new additive manufacturing strategies to fabricate multi- functional microfluidic devices for healthcare applications.
Job descriptionMotivation The application of additive manufacturing (3D printing) in healthcare is continuously expanding, with the aim of offering innovative solutions to improve patient care and give a technological boost to medical research. The new frontier for additive manufacturing is the development of the next generation of multi-functional medical micro-devices, such as new diagnostic tools, organ-on-chip platforms, and implantable devices.
To achieve this goal, it is required to integrate multiple functionalities (for instance sensing and actuation) by 3D printing multiple materials (with specific mechanical, electrical, thermal, or biological properties) and to fabricate high-resolution (micro-scale) features.
This project aims to tackle this challenge by developing innovative strategies for high-resolution multi-material additive manufacturing. This will require developing a laboratory demonstrator or prototype of a new 3D printer, optimizing the printing process, and understanding material properties. Testing will be performed by fabricating micro-scale fluidic devices, where dissimilar materials will be locally combined in a seamless multi-process machine setup. We aim to realize complex microfluidic networks with active fluid manipulation and sensing functionality, for instance to mimic the human vascular system.
Research The first goal of this project is to develop novel approaches for enabling multi-material printing in stereolithography (SLA), one of the most used 3D printing technologies. As a PhD researcher you will tackle this challenge by developing a deep understanding of the print process and the material properties, which will lead to the creation of a prototype set-up of a modified SLA printer. You will demonstrate that our multi-material approach ensures high printing resolution and mechanical stability of the printed parts, pushing the boundaries of current additive manufacturing technology.
The second goal of the project is to fabricate demonstrator microfluidic devices with a hierarchical geometry, multiple length scales and with different shapes of the channels cross-section. You will evaluate the fluidic properties, demonstrating that our 3D printing approach is suitable for the realization of the next generation of medical microfluidic devices.
You will be part of a multi-disciplinary team and you will have access to a research facility with a broad range of equipment for printing and characterization, which will provide a unique learning environment.
RequirementsConsider to applying for this position if you are a good team player and you are enthusiastic to work at the edge of two ground-breaking technologies, additive manufacturing and microfluidics.
Specifically, we are looking for candidates who (required experience):
Moreover, additional desirable skills are:
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.
Conditions of employmentDoctoral 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 € 2541 per month in the first year to € 3247 in the fourth year. 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 sport memberships, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.
For international applicants, TU Delft has the Coming to Delft Service. This service provides information for new international employees to help you prepare the relocation and to settle in the Netherlands. The Coming to Delft Service offers a Dual Career Programme for partners and they organise events to expand your (social) network.
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, Maritime and Materials EngineeringFrom 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 3mE faculty focusses on fundamental understanding, design, production including application and product improvement, materials, processes and (mechanical) systems.
3mE 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 3mE'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, Maritime and Materials Engineering. Do you want to experience working at our faculty? These videos will introduce you to some of our researchers and their work.
Additional informationFor more information about this vacancy, please contact Dr. Paola Fanzio, [email protected].
Application procedureAre you interested in this vacancy? Please apply before 20 September 2023 via the application button and upload your motivation and CV.
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 [email protected] or the vacancy holder Dr. Paola Fanzio, [email protected].
Please note: - A pre-employment screening can be part of the selection procedure. - You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post. - Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.
Faculty/Department
Faculty of Mechanical, Maritime and Materials EngineeringJob Type
PhDScientific field
EngineeringHours per week
38-40Salary
€ 2.541,00 - € 3.247,00Desired level of education
University graduateVacancy number
TUD04244Method of applying
Via systemWe aim at developing new additive manufacturing strategies to fabricate multi- functional microfluidic devices for healthcare applications.
Job descriptionMotivation The application of additive manufacturing (3D printing) in healthcare is continuously expanding, with the aim of offering innovative solutions to improve patient care and give a technological boost to medical research. The new frontier for additive manufacturing is the development of the next generation of multi-functional medical micro-devices, such as new diagnostic tools, organ-on-chip platforms, and implantable devices.
To achieve this goal, it is required to integrate multiple functionalities (for instance sensing and actuation) by 3D printing multiple materials (with specific mechanical, electrical, thermal, or biological properties) and to fabricate high-resolution (micro-scale) features.
This project aims to tackle this challenge by developing innovative strategies for high-resolution multi-material additive manufacturing. This will require developing a laboratory demonstrator or prototype of a new 3D printer, optimizing the printing process, and understanding material properties. Testing will be performed by fabricating micro-scale fluidic devices, where dissimilar materials will be locally combined in a seamless multi-process machine setup. We aim to realize complex microfluidic networks with active fluid manipulation and sensing functionality, for instance to mimic the human vascular system.
Research The first goal of this project is to develop novel approaches for enabling multi-material printing in stereolithography (SLA), one of the most used 3D printing technologies. As a PhD researcher you will tackle this challenge by developing a deep understanding of the print process and the material properties, which will lead to the creation of a prototype set-up of a modified SLA printer. You will demonstrate that our multi-material approach ensures high printing resolution and mechanical stability of the printed parts, pushing the boundaries of current additive manufacturing technology.
The second goal of the project is to fabricate demonstrator microfluidic devices with a hierarchical geometry, multiple length scales and with different shapes of the channels cross-section. You will evaluate the fluidic properties, demonstrating that our 3D printing approach is suitable for the realization of the next generation of medical microfluidic devices.
You will be part of a multi-disciplinary team and you will have access to a research facility with a broad range of equipment for printing and characterization, which will provide a unique learning environment.
RequirementsConsider to applying for this position if you are a good team player and you are enthusiastic to work at the edge of two ground-breaking technologies, additive manufacturing and microfluidics.
Specifically, we are looking for candidates who (required experience):
Moreover, additional desirable skills are:
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.
Conditions of employmentDoctoral 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 € 2541 per month in the first year to € 3247 in the fourth year. 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 sport memberships, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.
For international applicants, TU Delft has the Coming to Delft Service. This service provides information for new international employees to help you prepare the relocation and to settle in the Netherlands. The Coming to Delft Service offers a Dual Career Programme for partners and they organise events to expand your (social) network.
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, Maritime and Materials EngineeringFrom 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 3mE faculty focusses on fundamental understanding, design, production including application and product improvement, materials, processes and (mechanical) systems.
3mE 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 3mE'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, Maritime and Materials Engineering. Do you want to experience working at our faculty? These videos will introduce you to some of our researchers and their work.
Additional informationFor more information about this vacancy, please contact Dr. Paola Fanzio, [email protected].
Application procedureAre you interested in this vacancy? Please apply before 20 September 2023 via the application button and upload your motivation and CV.
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 [email protected] or the vacancy holder Dr. Paola Fanzio, [email protected].
Please note: - A pre-employment screening can be part of the selection procedure. - You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post. - Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.