PhD Position AI-Driven Generative Engineering Design from Qualitative and Quantitative Requirements

PhD Position AI-Driven Generative Engineering Design from Qualitative and Quantitative Requirements

Excited by Artificial Intelligence and Engineering Design? Join us and develop foundational methods that will transform how data and creativity are used to solve complex problems.

We are seeking future trailblazers with motivation to transform the design process with Artificial Intelligence. At a high level, engineering design involves mapping a problem’s functional requirements to the physical parameters which define a solution. In the case of quantitative design objectives, processes like topology optimization can be utilized to converge on parameters which maximize performance. However, real-world requirements relating to societal, sustainable, and manufacturing needs are not necessarily easily quantified. Considering both qualitative and quantitative functional information together for design optimization is a complex challenge.

This position is an opportunity to connect recent advancements in AI such as language modeling and computer vision with fundamental Mechanical Engineering techniques such as topology optimization. This research involves the development of methods and tools to represent complex functional requirements and geometric form for generative design. The envisioned output of this project is a design representation model capable of encoding qualitative and quantitative design requirements together in a unified latent “semantic” space which can be used to generate geometrically optimized physical components. Success in this endeavor will mean a transformation of how multimodal data is utilized to maximize design performance and sustainability.

As a part of a multidisciplinary team, you will be supervised by Haluk Akay and Matthijs Langelaar in the Computational Design & Mechanics Section in the Department of Precision & Microsystems Engineering at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering of TU Delft. The position offers opportunities for professional growth regarding research methods, disciplinary knowledge, mentoring BSc/MSc students, presenting findings at international conferences, engaging in educational activities, and more.

Job requirements

We seek evidence of the following qualifications in candidates’ application materials:

• MSc Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, or related fields.
• Programming skills in Python or MATLAB.
• Engineering design experience.
• Motivation for pursuing original contributions to science at the doctoral level.
• Ability to identify meaningful research problems, communicate technical information clearly and concisely, and lead organized and collaborative progression following the scientific method.

Further distinguishing relevant competencies:

• Experience with training and validation of Machine Learning (ML) models.
• Experience with dataset construction and curation.
• Experience using ML libraries such as Tensorflow, Pytorch, Hugging Face Transformers.

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.

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.

Conditions of employment

• Duration of contract is 4 years Temporary
• An excellent pension scheme via the ABP.
• The possibility to compile an individual employment package every year.
• Discount with health insurers on supplemental packages.
• Flexible working week.
• Plenty of opportunities for education, training and courses.
• Partially paid parental leave
• Attention for working healthy and energetically with the vitality program.

Additional information

For more information about this vacancy, please contact Haluk Akay, h.j.akay@tudelft.nl.