Computational design of mechanical metamaterials for 3d printed footwear

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 mechanical metamaterials design.

This researcher will develop computational methods and experimentally evaluate mechanical metamaterials for footwear applications.

Responsibilities:

• Design mechanical metamaterials for functional performance
• Perform computational modelling and simulation
• Prototype and experimentally characterise designs
• Optimise structures for manufacturability and performance
• Collaborate closely with the computational design and biomechanics researchers

Job requirements

• MSc (or equivalent) in Mechanical Engineering, Computational Science and Engineering, or a closely related discipline
• Strong background in mechanics and finite element analysis
• Experience with topology optimisation and/or inverse design
• Experience with additive manufacturing or mechanical testing is an advantage
• Programming experience in Python, MATLAB, or C++ is desirable.

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 Jun Wu J.Wu-1@tudelft.nl

Application procedure

Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 15 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.

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.
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