Postdoc In Optimization-Driven Verification and Validation of Precision Machines

Introduction

Are you eager to find out how high-precision machines can fail before they are ever built? Help us develop optimization-driven methods that automatically uncover the critical, “unknown-unsafe” scenarios in semiconductor and other high-tech equipment.

Job Description

High-precision machines, such as semiconductor equipment, metrology systems and advanced manufacturing tools, must deliver extreme accuracy and reliability under a wide range of operating conditions, disturbances and model uncertainties. Today, their verification and validation (V&V) relies largely on expert-defined test cases and conservative worst-case requirements. This raises cost and development time, still does not guarantee that rare but critical combinations of operating conditions, disturbances and parameters are found.

In this project, you will extend an optimization-driven V&V framework, originally developed and proven for automated driving, to precision machines. At its core is a multi-modal evolutionary search algorithm (FC-SCGA) that finds a compact, diverse set of critical scenarios instead of a single worst case. Your work will include:

• Translating V&V questions for precision machines into multi-modal optimization problems that account for operating conditions, disturbances, parametric uncertainty and interacting error sources.
• Developing dissimilarity measures and coverage metrics that show how diverse the found scenarios are and how much of the machine’s operating space they cover.
• Validating the methods along a tiered pipeline: software-in-the-loop on parametric digital twins and hardware-in-the-loop with fault injection.
• Working closely with industrial partners to turn real use cases into models and demonstrate impact.

You will be part of the Dynamics and Control group in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and play a key role in building VISTA Lab (Verification, Inspection, Simulation & Testing Automation), a new initiative on V&V automation for complex engineered systems. You will also help supervise PhD and Master’s students and contribute to joint grant proposals with industry.

Your work matters beyond the lab: faster and more trustworthy qualification of high-tech equipment shortens development cycles, avoids costly over-design and strengthens the European semiconductor and high-tech industry.

Job Requirements

• Motivated researcher with a PhD in mechanical engineering, systems and control, mechatronics, applied mathematics, or a comparable domain.
• Solid background in the dynamics and control of mechatronic systems
• Experience with optimization methods, preferably evolutionary or multi-modal optimization, and with simulation-based testing.
• Good programming skills (e.g. Python, MATLAB/Simulink); experience with digital twins or hardware-in-the-loop setups is a plus.
• Enthusiasm for working with industrial partners and turning research into practical tools.
• Ability to conduct high quality academic research, reflected in demonstratable outputs.
• A team player who enjoys coaching PhD and Master's students and working in a dynamic, interdisciplinary team.
• A proven ability to manage complex projects to completion on schedule.

Excellent (written and verbal) proficiency in English, good communication and leadership skills.

Conditions of Employment

A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university, in an interdisciplinary setting and within an international network. You will work on a beautiful, green campus within walking distance of the central train station.

In addition, we offer you

• Full-time employment for 2 years.
• Salary in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities , scale 10, ranging from € 4,422 (step 4) to € 5,760 gross base salary per month (full-time).
• In addition to your base salary, you will receive an 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% year-end bonus, both calculated based on your annual gross base salary.
• Generous leave options: a standard 29 days (based on a 38 hour working week) per year that you can increase to 41 days by working two hours more per week (flexible working hours). This is prorated if you work part-time.
• As a TU/e employee, you participate in the ABP pension scheme, providing retirement pension and pension benefits for surviving dependents and occupational disability. TU/e pays 70% of the pension premium, while employees contribute the remaining 30%.
• High-quality training programs on general skills, didactics and topics related to research and valorization.
• An excellent technical infrastructure, and on-campus children's day care.
• Unlimited access to the modern on‑campus TU/e Student Sports Center at an exceptionally affordable rate.
• We support your wellbeing with free 24/7 access to OpenUp, providing you and your family with mental health support, expert guidance, and online training.
• Partially paid parental leave and an allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs.
• A TU/e Postdoc Association that helps you to build a stronger and broader academic and personal network, and offers tailored support, training and workshops.
• A Staff Immigration Team is available for international candidates, as are a tax compensation scheme (the Expat Scheme ) and a compensation for moving expenses.

On our website you can discover even more information about our conditions of employment . Build on your career at TU/e!

About us

We are a leading international university where scientific curiosity meets a hands-on mindset. We work in an open and collaborative way with high-tech industries to tackle complex societal challenges. Our responsible and respectful approach ensures impact — today and in the future. TU/e is home to over 13,000 students and more than 7,000 staff, forming a diverse and vibrant academic community. Discover what Light Up means to TU/e in our short company video .

Our university is located in Brainport Eindhoven — a world‑leading tech region with more than 7,000 high‑tech companies and strong R&D activity. Known for breakthroughs in AI, photonics, semiconductors and advanced manufacturing, Brainport is a place where technology serves people and society. Learn more about the Brainport region here .

Information

Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more? Please contact the hiring manager Mohsen Alirezaei, Associate Professor, m.alirezaei@tue.nl .

Visit our website for more information about the application process . You can also contact HR Services, hrservices.me@tue.nl .

Are you inspired and would like to know more about working at TU/e? Please visit our career page.

We invite you to submit a complete application using the apply-button. The application should include a:

• Cover letter in which you describe your motivation and qualifications for the position.
• Curriculum vitae, including a list of your publications and the contact information of three references. Kindly note that we may reach out to references at any stage of the recruitment process. We recommend notifying your references upon submitting your application.
• List of up to five self-selected ‘best publications’.

Ensure that you submit all the requested application documents. Please note that incomplete applications may not be considered and could be rejected.

We look forward to receiving your application and will screen it as soon as possible. The vacancy will remain open until the position is filled.

Please note

• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
• A pre-employment screening (e.g. knowledge security check) can be part of the selection procedure. For more information on the knowledge security check, please consult the National Knowledge Security Guidelines .
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.