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PhD Position Modeling Foot Growth and Deformities in Children with Cerebral Palsy
Join an interdisciplinary research team to better understand how the growing foot develops in children with cerebral palsy
Job description
We are looking for a motivated PhD candidate to join a 4-year research project aimed at advancing our understanding of foot growth and deformities in children with cerebral palsy. In this project, you will develop statistical shape models and finite element models of the growing foot to investigate normal bone development, understand how growth is altered in cerebral palsy, and ultimately support the development of treatment strategies.
You will become part of a multidisciplinary research team and be supervised by Nazli Tümer and Amir Zadpoor at the Department of Biomechanical Engineering at TU Delft, together with Marjolein van der Krogt from the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Amsterdam UMC. Thoroughout the project, you will collaborate with clinicians, clinical researchers, and a postdoctoral researcher based at the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, who will develop musculoskeletal models in close collaboration with Ajay Seth from the Department of Biomechanical Engineering at TU Delft.
This PhD position is part of the ZonMW-funded project Foot4Thought: Multimodal Modelling to Understand and Prevent Foot Deformities in Cerebral Palsy, offering a unique opportunity to contribute to computational biomechanics with direct clinical relevance.
There are many opportunities for you to grow your academic career through coursework, mentoring BSc/MSc Students, consortium participation, conference presentations, webinars/workshops, and teaching.
Diversity and Inclusion:
The TU Delft Faculty of Mechanical Engineering is committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion. If you have a unique story that motivates you or drives your curiosity we would be delighted to hear it. We especially encourage applicants from underrepresented groups in science, technology and engineering .
TU Delft values a safe, inclusive and diverse work environment. To reinforce that, we have committed ourselves to the joint Statement Social Safety of the Association of Universities in the Netherlands and the National Action Plan for Diversity and Inclusion. We participate in a Social Safety Programme.
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.
Job requirements
You should have:
An MSc degree in Biomechanical Engineering or a closely related discipline by the start date of the position (September 2026)
Experience in scientific programming (e.g., Python, Matlab)
Experience in finite-element analysis
Experience in medical image analysis and data processing
Basic knowledge of and/or experience in AI-driven models
The ability to manage multiple tasks effectively
Excellent written and oral communication skills in English
The following aspects will help you stand out:
Basic knowledge of and/or experience in musculoskeletal modelling
The ability to thrive in a multidisciplinary research environment
A self-motivated, proactive, and self-driven working attitude
Curiosity-driven self-learning ability
Written and oral communication skills in Dutch
Keep in mind that this describes the background we imagine would best fit the role. Even if you do not meet all the requirements and feel that you are up for the task, we absolutely want to see your application! The PhD process is a learning experience.
TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)
Working at TU Delft means contributing to solutions that really make a difference.
For over 180 years, we have been training engineers who make an impact worldwide in companies, government bodies, or as entrepreneurs. Our alumni turn knowledge into concrete solutions for the challenges of today and tomorrow.
These challenges are changing rapidly. That is why we focus on themes such as energy, climate, digitalisation, artificial intelligence (AI), and smart mobility every day. Our education and research are directly aligned with what society needs now and in the future.
At TU Delft, our people make the difference. With their knowledge and curiosity, our staff provide a high-quality education and conduct pioneering research that extends beyond the campus. You will have the opportunity to take the initiative, work with others, and grow as a professional.
Working at TU Delft means join an international community of professionals and students. Together, we create knowledge, innovations, and solutions that help move the world forward.
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.
. 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
For more information about this vacancy, please contact Nazli Tümer (
[email protected]).
Application procedure
Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 27 July 2026 upload the following documents:
Motivation letter and CV.
Abstract of your MSc thesis.
If the applicants are selected for an interview, they will be asked to provide contact information for up to 3 references.
You can address your application to .
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.
Faculty/Department: Faculty of Mechanical Engineering
Salary range: €3059 - €3881
Submission is possible until: 27 Jul 2026
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