Postdoc ROBAHS: Robust Ammonia and Humidity Sensor

Job Description

Ammonia is recognised as a poisonous gas which is also highly corrosive and has a tendency to degrade commerically availabvle sensors. Humidity, although not corrosive, is difficult to measure reliably in the long term. Due to the high solubility of ammonia in water, measuring both reliable is a challenge, while highly relevant for many applications.

This project aims at utilizing porous silicon carbide as sensing layer. Silicon carbide is an extremely robust material and able to withstand these harsh environments for the long term. Porous silicon carbide has been shown to be able to measure both ammonia and humidity with high reliability. However, the materials need to be optimised and developed into a compact and reliable sensor system.

As a post-doc at the faculty of EWI of TU Delft you will develop a robust ammonia/humidity sensor based on porous silicon carbide. This involves devopment and optimisation of the basic material, better understanding of the sensing mechanism, processing in de EKL cleanroom and measurement. Measurement will be performed in our laboratories and also in the field. As post-doc you will work alongside a PhD student also hired on the project, with a focus on the porous silicon carbide optimization.

Four companies are involved in this project helping with the long-term aim of commercialisation.

Job requirements

You hold a PhD in electrical engineering, materials science, applied physics or other relevant fields. Prioir experience in cleanroom processing and/or material analysis is strongly recommended.

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 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 2 years.
• A job of 36-40 hours per week. 

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged. 

Coming to Delft Service Dual Career Programme is available, to support your accompanying partner with their job search in the Netherlands.  . 

Additional information

Application procedure

18 August 2025

• CV
• Motivational letter

Please note:

• A pre-employment screening can be part of the selection procedure.
• For the final candidates, a knowledge security check will be part of the application