Join our pioneering PhD project to transform brain-targeted drug delivery through advanced AI and machine learning for nanoparticle design!

Job description
As part of the European Horizon project "NAP4DIVE: Non-Animal Platform for Nanoparticle-Based Delivery Across the Blood-Brain Barrier," we are looking for a PhD candidate to join our team focusing on the development and validation of an innovative in-silico model for nanoparticle (NP) design and drug delivery. This position addresses the challenge of efficiently predicting and optimizing nanoparticle designs for effective drug delivery to the brain using AI-based solutions.

Position Overview

This PhD position is aimed at candidates with a Master’s degree in data science, computer science, bioinformatics, biomedical engineering, or related fields, with a strong interest in machine learning (ML), computational modeling, and biomedical applications. The successful candidate will be based at the Department of Engineering Systems and Services (ESS) at the Delft University of Technology under the supervision of Sepinoud Azimi and Katerina Stankova. This PhD project involves close collaboration with partners across Europe, and candidates will have the opportunity to engage with interdisciplinary teams in the fields of AI, neuroscience, pharmacology, and regulatory science.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, train, and validate a machine learning and deep learning models (NP Design Simulators) to predict nanoparticle properties and efficacy for blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability.
• Utilize explainable AI (XAI) methods to generate reliable guidelines for NP design, ensuring the model results are robust, reproducible, and interpretable.
• Collaborate with experts in drug delivery and nanotechnology to test and refine NP design for targeted delivery to the central nervous system.
• Work independently and contribute collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team environment.

Project Impact

The NAP4DIVE project aims to replace animal testing with reliable non-animal alternatives in the development of CNS therapies. By pioneering a novel NP design simulator and BBB-on-Chip platform, NAP4DIVE will transform drug delivery across the BBB, reducing preclinical costs, increasing human-relevant predictability, and advancing ethical and sustainable biomedical research.

Applications are encouraged from candidates who are motivated to contribute to cutting-edge research in healthcare innovation, computational modeling, and sustainable biomedical solutions.  

Job requirements

• MSc in data science, computer science, bioinformatics, biomedical engineering, or related fields.
• Experience in machine learning, especially with neural networks, deep learning, and explainable AI (experience with time-series modeling and simulations of molecular dynamic is a plus).
• Excellent command of Python programming language.
• A strong interest in interdisciplinary research and the application of AI in healthcare and biomedical fields.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a dynamic, multidisciplinary environment.
• Excellent command of English.

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 Technology, Policy & Management
The Faculty of TPM provides an important contribution to solving complex technical-social issues, such as energy transition, mobility, digitalisation, water management and (cyber) security. TPM does this with its excellent education and research at the intersection of technology, society and policy. We combine insights from both engineering and social sciences as well as the humanities. TPM develops robust models and designs, is internationally oriented and has an extensive network of knowledge institutions, companies, social organisations and governments.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Technology, Policy and Management.

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 € 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.

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.

Additional information
If you would like more information about this vacancy or the selection procedure, please contact Dr. Sepinoud Azimi and/or Dr. Kateřina Staňková, via S.Azimirashti@tudelft.nl and/or K.Stankova@tudelft.nl.

Application procedure
Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 15 Dec 2024 via the application button and upload the following documents:

• Your CV.
• Motivation letter official list of all courses followed during your BSc and MSc studies with grades.
• Your MSc thesis.
• Names and contact details of 2 references.

You can address your application to Dr. Sepinoud Azimi and/or Dr. Kateřina Staňková.

For more information about the application procedure, please contact Olivie Beek, HR-advisor (recruitment-tbm@tudelft.nl)   

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:

• This position is intended to start in January 2025.
• 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.
• A knowledge security check will be part of the selection procedure (for details page 45: national knowledge security guidelines).
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.