PhD position on viscosity sensing of a liquid using ultrasound

Job description

The integrated devices & systems (IDS) and Engineering Dynamics (ED) groups at the University of Twente have a vacancy for a PhD student on the research topic “sensing viscosity in liquids”.

Flow sensors for measuring the speed of liquids find application in many industrial setups where the dosage of a liquid must be controlled, such as food processing, drug production, microchips and solar panels. In this project, a commercialised flow sensor that works with ultrasound is further developed so that other fluid properties, which are more challenging to extract, can also be determined, especially viscosity. This greatly expands the functionality and integration opportunities for flow sensors. For example, it allows the quality of the liquid to be automatically monitored and enables quick intervention when the liquid unexpectedly changes composition.

You will focus on experimentation: designing and setting up experiments, producing and analysing ultrasound signals in various sensor configurations, and relating the signals to the liquid properties.

The project is financed by the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO). Several experienced supervisors (Dr. Ir. Cora Salm and Prof. Jurriaan Schmitz, Electrical Engineering; Prof. Richard Loendersloot, Engineering Technology) will give daily guidance with support from a senior engineer (Remco Sanders). Part of the work will be carried out at the research labs of Bronkhorst High-Tech BV in Ruurlo (NL).

Various teaching activities in your field of expertise will take 10%-20% of your time.

Your profile

• You are highly motivated and an enthusiastic researcher (F/M)
• You have an MSc degree in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, applied physics, or materials science
• You love to do experiments
• You have good team spirit
• You like to work in an interdisciplinary and internationally oriented environment.
• You are fluent in English

Our offer

• As a PhD candidate at UT, you will be appointed to a full-time position for four years, with a qualifier in the first year, within a very stimulating and exciting scientific environment;
• The University offers a dynamic campus ecosystem with enthusiastic colleagues;
• Your salary and associated conditions are in accordance with the collective labour agreement for Dutch universities (CAO-NU);
• You will receive a gross monthly salary ranging from € 3.059,- (first year) to € 3.881,- (fourth year);
• There are excellent benefits including a holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary, an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%, and a solid pension scheme;
• The flexibility to work (partially) from home;
• A minimum of 232 leave hours in case of full-time employment based on a formal workweek of 38 hours. A full-time employment in practice means 40 hours a week, therefore resulting in 96 extra leave hours on an annual basis;
• Free access to sports facilities on campus;
• A family-friendly institution that offers parental leave (both paid and unpaid);
• You will follow a training programme as part of the Twente Graduate School as defined jointly by you and your supervisors.

Information and application

Are you interested in this position? Please send your application via the 'Apply now' button below before 17 August 2026, and include:

• A Curriculum Vitae, including a list of all courses attended and grades obtained, and, if applicable, a list of publications and references.
• A cover letter (maximum 2 pages A4), emphasising your specific interest, qualifications, and motivations to apply for this position.

For more information regarding this position, you are welcome to contact Mrs. Marthe Kampman at [staat bij de werkgever] .

Screening is part of the selection process.

About the department

The research group Integrated Devices and Systems conducts research into semiconductor-based electronic components, most prominently sensors, integrated circuits and solar cells. The research is typically carried out in close collaboration with multinational semiconductor companies and local industry. The group consists of 25-35 people from many nationalities; the scientific communication is in English. See here for more information.

The chair of Engineering Dynamics was recently formed by merging the chairs of Dynamics Based Maintenance and Applied Mechanics and Data Analysis. Over the past years these two groups have developed a rich portfolio of research, including linear and nonlinear ultrasound inspection methods for advanced materials. The group consists of approximately 30 people, with different backgrounds, expertises and nationalities. See for more information Research chair DBM and Reserach chair AMDA .

About the organisation

The faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EEMCS) uses mathematics, electronics and computer technology to contribute to the development of Information and Communication Technology (ICT). With ICT present in almost every device and product we use nowadays, we embrace our role as contributors to a broad range of societal activities and as pioneers of tomorrow's digital society. As part of a tech university that aims to shape society, individuals and connections, our faculty works together intensively with industrial partners and researchers in the Netherlands and abroad, and conducts extensive research for external commissioning parties and funders. Our research has a high profile both in the Netherlands and internationally. It has been accommodated in three multidisciplinary UT research institutes: Mesa+ Institute, TechMed Centre and Digital Society Institute.