Imagine being able to enhance the quality of life of people with bipolar disorder. You can make it happen. Join our project Wearable sensors for monitoring of sweat metabolites.

Job description
Patients with chronic conditions regularly need to visit the hospital for check-up and the taking of a blood sample. This is not only burdensome for the patient but the lab analyses are time consuming and expensive. In this project we develop a smart armband which analyses sweat continuously and unobtrusively during everyday activities. This can be achieved by weaving the sensors into the material and using a small clip-on electronics unit. With that we can help patients with a bipolar disorder taking lithium as medication but it can also be used to monitor other metabolites like glucose or to detect dehydration.

As the post-doc you will work at the faculty of EEMCS in collaboration with a PhD student at the faculty of Industrial Design Engineering of TU Delft. You will be working on the sensing system in the armband. This will include the sensing yarn, a microfluidics system, electronicis and communication. The main aim of this project is to detect lithium in sweat. However, other ions will be considered at a later stage of the project. You will furthermore integrate these yarns in a textile structure that takes care of the sweat absorption and transport and protects the sensors.

In the final year of the project, the sensor bands will undergo testing with patients in collaboration with the Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC). You will work in close cooperation with a postdoc at the Bioelectronics section of the Electrical Engineering faculty at TU Delft.

Job requirements

• You hold a PhD degree in chemical engineering, electrical engineering, or another relevant field related to electrochemical sensors and human health monitoring.
• You have the social skills to deal with many stakeholders, from fellow academics to patients.
• You have experience with analysis of sensor data.
• You have an affinity for patient care and are able to communicate with patients.
• You have a good command of written and spoken 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 of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science
The Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EEMCS) brings together three scientific disciplines. Combined, they reinforce each other and are the driving force behind the technology we all use in our daily lives. Technology such as the electricity grid, which our faculty is helping to make completely sustainable and future-proof. At the same time, we are developing the chips and sensors of the future, whilst also setting the foundations for the software technologies to run on this new generation of equipment – which of course includes AI. Meanwhile we are pushing the limits of applied mathematics, for example mapping out disease processes using single cell data, and using mathematics to simulate gigantic ash plumes after a volcanic eruption. In other words: there is plenty of room at the faculty for ground-breaking research. We educate innovative engineers and have excellent labs and facilities that underline our strong international position. In total, more than 1000 employees and 4,000 students work and study in this innovative environment.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science.

Conditions of employment

• Duration of contract is 1 year with option to extend another 2 years (total three years)
• A job of 36-40 hours per week.
• Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities.
• 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.

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
If you would like more information about this vacancy or the selection procedure, please contact prof. Paddy French, via p.j.french@tudelft.nl.

Application procedure
Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 4 May 2026 via the application button and upload the following documents:

• CV
• Motivational letter

You can address your application to prof. Paddy French.

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.