PhD Position – Developing Magnetic Nanomaterials in the Project “Welding Made Easy”

Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Condensed Matter Physics, Doctoral, Experimental Physics, Functional Materials, Magnetic Materials, Materials Engineering, Materials Science, Nanomaterials, Nanoscience, Nanotechnology, PHD, Physics, Polymer Chemistry, Research, Research & Development
Delft, Netherlands
21 September 2026
PhD position Full Time Industry Collaboration PhD Research

Job Description

Organization: Delft University of Technology (TU Delft)

Faculty: Faculty of Applied Sciences

Location: Delft, Netherlands

Position: PhD Position – Developing Magnetic Nanomaterials in the Project “Welding Made Easy”

Project Overview

The Welding Made Easy project, funded through the NWO-KIC programme, aims to develop a new approach to joining lightweight fibre-reinforced polymer structures using magnetic nanomaterials.

The project focuses on embedding magnetic nanoparticles with a tailored Curie or compensation temperature into a thermoplastic interlayer. When exposed to a high-frequency magnetic field, the nanoparticles generate heat at the welding interface until the desired processing temperature is reached. Their magnetic losses then decrease, functioning as a built-in thermal switch that helps prevent overheating.

The nanoparticles can also act as sensors by enabling real-time monitoring of the welding process through their AC field absorption. This self-regulating technology is intended to reduce dependence on specialised welding infrastructure and support decentralised manufacturing and repair of composite structures, with potential applications in aerospace, mobility, and defence.

The PhD candidate will work within the NCFun group of Prof. Arjan Houtepen at TU Delft’s Faculty of Applied Sciences, in collaboration with researchers from TU Delft Aerospace Engineering, TU/e, TU Vienna, and industrial partner SCIL. The project is part of a broader interdisciplinary consortium involving polymer and composite science, nanoscience, physics, and process engineering, with partners including Airbus, GKN, and DLR.

Key Responsibilities

  • Develop magnetic nanoparticles through colloidal chemical synthesis, including Mn-Fe ferrite alloys.
  • Design nanoparticles with tunable switch temperatures for controlled magnetic heating.
  • Perform post-synthetic and in-situ surface functionalisation to achieve stable nanoparticle dispersion within polymer matrices.
  • Conduct structural and compositional characterisation using techniques such as XRD, XPS, TEM, and NMR.
  • Perform magnetic characterisation and determine switch temperatures using techniques including magneto-thermogravimetric analysis, SQUID, and VSM.
  • Investigate the relationship between nanoparticle composition, structure, and magnetic heating performance.
  • Study specific absorption rate (SAR) and its relevance to magnetic heating for polymer welding.
  • Contribute to interdisciplinary research connecting fundamental nanomaterials science with industrial composite-welding applications.

Required Qualifications

  • Completed Master’s degree in Physical Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related field.
  • Strong interest in the synthesis and characterisation of nanomaterials.
  • Interest in magnetism and solid-state physics.
  • Strong analytical and scientific research skills.
  • Ability and motivation to work in a collaborative, interdisciplinary research environment.
  • Motivation to connect fundamental nanomaterials research with technology of direct industrial relevance.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with one or more of the following areas is advantageous:

  • Colloidal synthesis of inorganic nanoparticles, including metal oxides and ferrites.
  • Nanoparticle surface chemistry and functionalisation.
  • Structural characterisation techniques such as XRD, TEM, and XPS.
  • Magnetic characterisation using VSM or SQUID.
  • Knowledge or practical interest in nanomaterials, magnetism, and solid-state physics.

Employment Details

  • Full-time PhD position at TU Delft.
  • Four-year employment period in principle.
  • Initial 1.5-year contract with an official go/no-go progress assessment within 15 months.
  • Additional 2.5-year contract subject to satisfactory progress and performance.
  • Job listing specifies 32–40 hours per week.
  • Salary is based on a full-time 38-hour contract.
  • PhD candidates are enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School.
  • Access to doctoral education and professional research development opportunities.

Salary & Benefits

  • Gross monthly salary: €3,204–€4,051, increasing from the first to the fourth year.
  • 8% holiday allowance.
  • 8.3% end-of-year bonus.
  • Customisable compensation package.
  • Health insurance discounts.
  • Monthly work-cost contribution.
  • Flexible work schedules may be arranged.
  • Access to state-of-the-art synthesis and characterisation facilities at TU Delft and TU/e.
  • Collaboration with academic and industrial partners across the Netherlands, Austria, Germany, and beyond.
  • Relocation support through TU Delft’s Coming to Delft Service.
  • Dual Career Programme support for accompanying partners.

Application Documents

  • Curriculum Vitae (CV).
  • Motivational letter.

Candidates should apply online. Applications submitted by email or post will not be processed. Applicants should address their application to Prof. Arjan Houtepen.

English Language Requirement

Candidates must meet TU Delft’s English proficiency requirements for PhD candidates. English proficiency is required for effective communication, participation in English-taught doctoral education courses, and writing scientific articles and the final doctoral thesis.

Contact: Prof. Arjan Houtepen
Email: [email protected]

Application Deadline: 15 October 2026

Job ID: 3784

Location

Related Jobs