The
Opto-Mechatronics group is a relatively young group founded in 2021 as part of the
Design for Precision Engineering group embedded in the
Control System Technology (CST) Section of the
Mechanical Engineering Department. The Opto-Mechatronics group was immediately well received by the unique high-tech eco-system in the
Brainport Eindhoven region, the area in Europe for high-end equipment development and home to many leading companies. This has led to significant research funding by industry and rapid growth.
The CST section is among the largest and high-impact research centers in systems and control. It is a unique section in which both state-of-the-art fundamental and applied research is performed and deeply intertwined. We pride ourselves on fostering a supportive, inclusive, and collaborative working environment where everyone feels valued and respected. We stimulate a team-oriented culture where ideas are shared and interdisciplinary collaboration is encouraged. We prioritize mentorship and career development, providing young professors with strong support and collaboration opportunities. Currently, our section comprises 13 full-time and 17 part-time faculty, and over 50 postdocs and PhD candidates.
EducationSound design and research on hardware of optical systems starts with profound understanding of Optics, high-precision Mechatronics and Design Principles for Precision Engineering. Unique in this respect is the understanding of the
Dutch School of Precision Engineering as developed and educated at the TU/e CST Section. Combining this with clear understanding of optical engineering leads to a unique education of Opto-Mechatronic engineers and research on technology needed for development of groundbreaking high precision optical hardware.
Education focuses on building competence in the required disciplines such as applied optics, design principles for precision engineering, Opto-Mechanics, mechatronics and thermo-mechanics, and bringing these disciplines together using a holistic system engineering approach.
Our researchOpto-Mechatronic research at TU/e faces ideal conditions for success. The region is ideally suited with Dutch high-tech industry's world-class position in Optics and Opto-Mechatronics, and the world renowned German classical optics industry as its most important trade partner. Furthermore the combination of classical Opto-Mechanics with the Dutch school of Design Principles (ideally suited to optical systems due to the excellent accuracy and stability it enables), TU/e's collaboration with high-tech industry, focus on system-based design and our strength in Mechatronics, constitutes an ideal and internationally unique mix of huge potential.
The research topics that we have been engaged in are laser satellite communication, 3D printing for Opto-Mechatronic applications, groundbreaking distance metrology and thermo-optical effects. These research topics share three key qualities: significant potential for societal impact, the Dutch high-tech ecosystem is uniquely positioned to both support and benefit, and they allow for significant advances in the short-, medium- and long-term, thus promising long-lived, stimulating research lines.
With our current capacity, to ensure synergy between PhD projects, to build critical mass in selected topics, we currently mainly focus on two of these topics, namely: groundbreaking distance metrology and thermo-optical effects. When we have more capacity in scientific staff, we would like to also increase or restart work in the other aforementioned topics.
The position
- You develop internationally leading research in the field of Opto-Mechatronics and you make significant contributions to high-impact journals.
- You take the lead in initiating and coordinating multidisciplinary research projects with diverse (external) funding sources. Your ability to bring together different disciplines will be key to our success.
- You strengthen connections and collaborations with researchers and research programs within the Mechanical Engineering department, TU/e, The Netherlands, and abroad.
- You develop a network with external partners to support the research and innovation in Opto-Mechatronics.
- You provide academic guidance and leadership to work groups, committees or project teams within the Opto-Mechatronics & Design for Precision Engineering group, the CST section and/or the Mechanical Engineering department.
- You initiate, develop, teach and further improve courses for the BSc, MSc, and PhD education programs of the Mechanical Engineering department. Your passion for education will shape the minds of our students.
- You supervise and mentor BSc, MSc, EngD and PhD students. Your mentorship will empower the next generation engineers.