Imagine being able to enhance the quality of life of people with bipolar disorder. You can make it happen. Join our project Wearable sensors for monitoring of sweat metabolites.
Job descriptionPatients with chronic conditions regularly need to visit the hospital for check-up and the taking of a blood sample. This is not only burdensome for the patient but the lab analyses are time consuming and expensive. In this project we develop a smart armband which analyses sweat continuously and unobtrusively during everyday activities. This can be achieved by weaving the sensors into the material and using a small clip-on electronics unit. With that we can help patients with a bipolar disorder taking lithium as medication but it can also be used to monitor other metabolites like glucose or to detect dehydration.
As a PhD student at the faculty of Industrial Design Engineering of TU Delft you will develop a coating machine for applying uniform layers of ion sensitive coatings on carrier yarns and test and optimize the performance of these yarns when exposed to different types of ions. You will furthermore integrate these yarns in a textile structure that takes care of the sweat absorption and transport and protects the sensors.
In the final year of the project, the sensor bands will undergo testing with patients in collaboration with the Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC). You will work in close cooperation with a postdoc at the Bioelectronics section of the Electrical Engineering faculty at TU Delft.
Job requirements- You hold a Master's degree in chemical engineering, electrical engineering, or another relevant field related to electrochemical sensors and human health monitoring
- You have the social skills to deal with many stakeholders, from fellow academics to patients.
- You have experience with analysis of sensor data
- You have an affinity for patient care and are able to communicate with patients
- You have a good command of written and spoken English
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 EngineeringMatching 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.
In close cooperation with industry, the public sector and NGOs we rehearse possible futures in research and education to design for a complex future.
to go to the website of the Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering.
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 € 2872 per month in the first year to € 3670 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 a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.
Coming to Delft Service for partners and they organise events to expand your (social) network.
Additional informationCV
Motivational letter
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.
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.
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Het salaris bedraagt €2872 - €3670