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(Junior) Researcher for Computational design workflow for 3d printed footwear

TU Delft

Delft
Full-time, Temporary
0-2 years experience
On-site

€3,537 - €5,760 per month

Key Skills

Computational design
Rhino
Grasshopper
Mechanical metamaterials
Additive manufacturing
Digital fabrication
Parametric design
CAD automation
Geometry processing
Algorithmic design
Biomechanics
Programming

Job Description

Computational design of mechanical metamaterials for footwear innovation.

 

Job description 

The Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering at TU Delft is seeking three highly motivated researchers to join an exciting collaborative research project on 3D-printed footwear innovation, carried out in close collaboration with industrial partners.

 

The project aims to develop an integrated computational design and digital fabrication workflow for next-generation footwear. The research combines biomechanics, computational design, mechanical metamaterials, additive manufacturing, and digital workflows to create novel footwear concepts with improved performance and manufacturability.

 

One of the three positions will focus on computational design and fabrication workflow.

This researcher will develop the computational design workflow that connects performance requirements with digital design and fabrication.


Responsibilities:

  • Develop computational design workflows
  • Build parametric design tools using Rhino and Grasshopper
  • Integrate design, analysis, and manufacturing constraints
  • Prepare manufacturable digital models for additive manufacturing
  • Support the integration of the overall design-to-fabrication workflow  


Job requirements 

  • MSc (or equivalent) in Industrial Design Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related discipline
  • Experience with Rhino and Grasshopper
  • Strong programming and computational design skills
  • Familiarity with digital fabrication and additive manufacturing
  • Experience with geometry processing, algorithmic design, or CAD automation is an advantage  

 

 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 Industrial Design Engineering 

Matching the evolution of people with the speed of the revolution of technology. This is the focus of the Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering (IDE). Delft designers act as a bridge between advances in technology and the needs of people, organisations and society to create products, services and systems with purpose. 

IDE is a leader in design research across the application areas of mobility, sustainability and health, as well as its development of design tools and methods. A 350-strong research team and over 2,000 students work together in our inspiring hall, labs and studios. 

In close cooperation with industry, the public sector and NGOs we rehearse possible futures in research and education to design for a complex future. 

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering. 

 

Conditions of employment 

  • Duration of contract is 12 months. Temporary.
  • A job of 32-36 hours per week. 
  • A salary based on scale 8 or 10 will be applicable and is depending on graduation date and years of relevant work experience after graduation. With a salary between €3537 - €5760 gross per month based on a fulltime contract (38 hours), plus 8% holiday allowance and an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%.  
  • 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. 
  • Every year, 232 leave hours (at 38 hours). You can also sell or buy additional leave hours via the individual choice budget. 
  • Plenty of opportunities for education, training and courses. 
  • Partially paid parental leave 
  • Attention for working healthy and energetically with the vitality program. 

 

Additional information

The project relies on close collaboration within the research team and with industrial partners. Successful candidates are therefore expected to relocate to Delft at the start of the project or shortly thereafter.

These are fixed-term research appointments and do not lead to a PhD degree.  

For more information about this vacancy, please contact Zjenja Doubrovski [email protected] and Jun Wu [email protected]

 

Application procedure

Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 9 October 2026 via the application button and upload the following documents:

 

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Please submit:

  • a CV;
  • a motivation letter describing your background and interest in the position; and
  • a portfolio (where relevant), showcasing previous projects or research.

 

You can address your application to Jun Wu and Zjenja Doubrovski.



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.

 

Core Responsibilities

The researcher will develop computational design workflows that integrate performance requirements with digital fabrication for 3D-printed footwear. Responsibilities include building parametric design tools and preparing manufacturable digital models while collaborating with industrial partners.

Requirements

Candidates must hold an MSc in Industrial Design Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related discipline. Strong proficiency in Rhino, Grasshopper, and computational design skills is required.

Benefits

  • 8% Holiday allowance
  • 8.3% End-of-year bonus
  • Excellent pension scheme
  • Individual employment package
  • Discount with health insurers
  • Flexible working week
  • 232 Leave hours
  • Education and training opportunities
  • Partially paid parental leave
  • Vitality program

About TU Delft

Industry: Research

Company size: 10,001+ employees

TU Delft Campus is a top tech ecosystem that accelerates innovation for a better society. We are home to over 41.000 researchers, entrepreneurs and students. A community pioneering for change.

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