As generative artificial intelligence is transforming the daily work of software engineers, TU Delft and the Meta Dev Infra team join forces in a research lab to investigate how we can leverage AI to advance the daily experience and productivity of software engineers at the scale of Meta's tens of thousands of software engineers.
Across several tracks, we will develop tools that rethink the future of software engineering. Our work will be informed by sound theories and supported by empirical data. In this project, we will use AI as an opportunity and address the challenges that emerge due to AI. Our goal is to conduct rigorous research, apply our results in practice at Meta and to educate the students of TU Delft about the new insights we gather. We will focus on open science, sharing our results to help developers across the world.
Predictive Software Testing
This track focuses on creating an intelligent and adaptive testing ecosystem capable of safeguarding quality in massive, rapidly-evolving codebases. As software scales, traditional testing methods often break down due to long regression cycles and high infrastructure costs. We will explore (1) learning-based techniques (e.g., LLMs, agents) to capture the intent behind code changes, (2) defining new metrics for test "quality" that go beyond code coverage, (3) predicting the success of code changes based on test quality, providing developers quick feedback, and (4) designing autonomous agents that automatically refactor, prune, and optimize test code, preventing test decay.
We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive research environment and encourage applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of their background or experience. We believe that diversity contributes to a more innovative and creative research community.
If you do not meet some of the optional requirements listed, we encourage you to still apply and explain how your unique experience and skills can contribute to our research.
Job requirementsRequired (by the Graduate School of TU Delft):
- Master's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, or a related field.
- Proficiency in the English language (https://www.tudelft.nl/onderwijs/opleidingen/phd/admission)
Additional requirements:
- Research focus, characterized by curiosity, data fluency, and critical thinking
- Engineering mindset, including ability to create experimental prototypes and demonstrators
- Team player, good listener, and ready to help.
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.
Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer ScienceThe 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 employmentDoctoral candidates will be offered a 4?'year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1,5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months. Followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2,5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met.
Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from €3059 - €3881 gross per month, from the first year to the fourth year based on a fulltime contract (38 hours), plus 8% holiday allowance and an end?'of?'year bonus of 8.3%.
As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline?'related and research skills.
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 ServiceDual Career Programme is available, to support your accompanying partner with their job search in the Netherlands.
Additional informationThe PhD positions will be fully at TU Delft, with strong collaboration with Meta.
Application procedure- CV
- Motivational letter
If you apply to multiple vacancies of our lab, your cover letters should include a ranking of your interest towards each of the four tracks, and explain your motivation for this ranking.
Your application has to contain a statement clarifying if and how you used AI to create the application documents.
If you have previously written academic works (theses, papers, ...), please include them or links to them in your application package.
Doing a PhD at TU Delft requires English proficiency at a certain level to ensure that the candidate is able to communicate and interact well, participate in English?'taught Doctoral Education courses, and write scientific articles and a final thesis. For more details please check the Graduate Schools Admission Requirements.
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.