Are you passionate about the marine environment and eager to develop innovative approaches for monitoring biodiversity through the use of marine robotics?

Job description

We offer a PhD position within the Reefwatchers project, which aims to deliver science-based knowledge and tools to advance the monitoring of marine ecosystem biodiversity and quality. The PhD candidate will work on robot mission planning, dedicated for biodiversity monitoring at artificial and biogenic reefs. The candidate will also contribute to the development of a simulation environment that aligns with real-world testing conditions. A central aspect of the research involves developing intelligent path planning strategies for individual underwater robots. The candidate will design and implement algorithms that optimize multiple objectives, while incorporating advanced navigation techniques to enhance robustness and operational reliability. Close collaboration with industry partners will ensure practical relevance and real-world applicability. The methods will be tested with underwater robots in collaboration with our industrial partners

In later stages, the research will extend to multi-robot systems, focusing on task allocation, coordination, and monitoring under communication constraints typical of underwater environments. The project will result in innovative planning methods for both single and multi-robot operations, validated through simulations and field experiments with our partners, and tailored to the needs of biodiversity monitoring applications.The PhD will have a close collaboration with other research disciplines in the project, i.e., biology, ecology and business management. Those disciplines are contributed by Wageningen University and Research and by Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ).

Biodiversity loss is a global problem that threatens our ecosystem. Nature restoration initiatives abundant. However, in practice it is difficult to determine the effectiveness of restoration measures, making such activities hard to assess. Therefore, we investigate the information needs to better support decision-making regarding nature restoration activities. We do this by enhancing the use of robots to accelerate and automate the data collection process, ultimately aiming at lowering the costs of data collection and/or increasing the spatial dimension along which monitoring acitivties can take place. This we will develop and test in simulation environments as well as apply it directly in field conditions, e.g., for various oyster reef restoration projects inshore and nearshore in the Netherlands.

Job requirements

You are a motivated and creative researcher with a strong drive to pursue a PhD. You work effectively both independently and in interdisciplinary teams, think critically and demonstrate initiative and problem-solving skills. You are flexible and willing to travel for fieldwork and collaboration across locations.

You also have:

• A completed, or close to completion, MSc degree in mechanical engineering, maritime engineering, robotics, mechatronics, or a related field with demonstrarted experience in robotics and path planning
• A strong interest in underwater robotics and use them for monitoring in marine and coastal areas.
• Excellent English communication skills (written and spoken). Interest in science communication and interdisciplinary collaboration is an asset.

The following are highy valuad, but not required:

• Experience with path planning and the use of robotics in an open and outdoor environment
• A driving license and willingness to conduct fieldwork at sea and do a safety at sea training
• Interest in the environmental impacts of human activities on, and supporting nature restoration efforts of the marine environment

For this position your command of the English language is exptected to be at C1 level. Sometimes it is necessary to submit an internationally recognised Certificate of Proficiency in the English Language.

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

Doctoral 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 €3059 - €3881 gross per month, from the first year to the fourth year based on a fulltime contract (38 hours), plus 8% holiday allowance and an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%.

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.

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

If you would like more information about this vacancy or the selection procedure, please contact Rudy Helmons, r.l.j.helmons@tudelft.nl or Javier Alonso Mora, j.alonsomora@tudelft.nl

Application procedure

Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 13 May 2026 via the application button and upload the following documents:

• A curriculum vitae (CV) that states your education and relevant working experience.
• A brief motivation letter describing your interest and background in the topic (no more than 1 page).
• One research-oriented document written by the applicant (e.g., MSc thesis, journal/conference publication, project report).
• Transcript for your MSc degree including grades for courses.

You can address your application to Rudy Helmons and Javier Alonso Mora.

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.

Please note:

• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
• As part of knowledge security, TU Delft conducts a risk assessment during the recruitment of personnel. We do this, among other things, to prevent the unwanted transfer of sensitive knowledge and technology. The assessment is based on information provided by the candidates themselves, such as their motivation letter and CV, and takes place at the final stages of the selection process. When the outcome of the assessment is negative, the candidate will be informed. The processing of personal data in the context of the risk assessment is carried out on the legal basis of the GDPR: performing a public task in the public interest. You can find more information about this assessment on our website about knowledge security.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.