PhD Position AI/ML Algorithms for Next Generation Transportation Systems

Are you passionate about leveraging AI and machine learning to transform transportation systems?
Join us in Project Hermes, a collaborative initiative between TU Delft and Amazon Science, where you'll contribute to developing innovative, efficient, and sustainable logistics solutions with real-world impact.

Job description

The Challenge

In today's interconnected world, efficient and reliable transportation systems are the backbone of global commerce and everyday life. As these systems evolve, they face complex challenges:

• Optimizing delivery routes and capacity planning.
• Managing dynamic demand under tight deadlines.
• Ensuring cost-effective and sustainable logistics.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) offer powerful tools to address these challenges. By leveraging data-driven models and advanced optimization techniques, we can develop scalable solutions that navigate the uncertainties inherent in real-world systems.

Project Hermes brings together TU Delft and Amazon Science (EU Logistics) to tackle these challenges using AI- and ML-driven solutions. Our goal is to develop robust, scalable, and principled algorithms that make a meaningful impact in the real world—balancing efficiency, cost, and sustainability.

Your Role

As a PhD researcher, you'll contribute to algorithmic innovations, utilizing and extending AI/ML tools alongside cutting-edge optimization methods to create robust and scalable solutions. Your work will be grounded in real-world use cases and evaluated in representative scenarios, in close collaboration with scientists from Amazon Science, EU Logistics.

As a PhD researcher in Project Hermes, you will:

• Develop advanced optimization models for transportation networks, considering real-world constraints such as capacity, connectivity, and resource management.
• Design and implement scalable AI/ML algorithms, including deep learning, reinforcement learning, Bayesian methods, and online convex optimization.
• Collaborate closely with Amazon scientists on real-world datasets and evaluate your algorithms in representative scenarios.
• Contribute to a growing research team with opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration and visibility at leading conferences.

What We Offer

• A fully funded PhD position in a high-impact research project.
• Direct collaboration with Amazon Science, including joint evaluation and mentoring.
• A vibrant, stimulating, inclusive and international research community at TU Delft.
• A prestigious, well-funded project with international visibility.
• Support for personal and professional development, including mentoring and supervision experience.

Job requirements

Who Are We Looking For?

We’re looking for a curious and motivated researcher with the following profile:

Required:

• A Master's degree in Computer Science, Machine Learning, Operations Research, Applied Mathematics, or a related field.
• Strong background in optimization techniques (e.g., linear programming, convex optimization) and mathematics (e.g., linear algebra, probability, statistics).
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, Java, C , or Julia.
• Experience working with large-scale or real-world datasets.
• Excellent command of English, both written and spoken.

Preferred:

• Prior experience in transportation, logistics, or related industries.
• Familiarity with optimization tools like CPLEX, Gurobi, or XPRESS.
• Research experience and publications in relevant topics.
• Experience with big data technologies (e.g., Hadoop, MapReduce).

We strongly believe that diversity enriches science. We therefore warmly welcome applicants from all backgrounds. We are committed to creating an inclusive and supportive research culture where everyone can thrive and feel heard.

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 of 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.

, Mathematics and Computer Science.

Conditions of employment

Doctoral 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 € 2901 per month in the first year to € 3707 in the fourth year. 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.

For international applicants, TU Delft has the Coming to Delft Service. This service provides information for new international employees to help you prepare the relocation and to settle in the Netherlands. The Coming to Delft Service offers a Dual Career Programme for partners and they organise events to expand your (social) network.

Additional information

These PhD positions are part of Project Hermes, a collaboration between TU Delft and Amazon, aimed at designing the next generation of transportation networks and logistic systems. Successful candidates will be supervised by Dr. G. Iosifidis in close cooperation with the Amazon Science Team, EU Logistics, that is led by Dr. Georgios Paschos.

The successful applicants will have access to real-world problems, industry insights, mentorship, and internship opportunities. They will join a dynamic, inclusive, and stimulating environment, to work on innovative theoretical advancements with tangible industry and societal impact, at the intersection of Transportation and Computer Science disciplines.

If you would like more information about this vacancy or the selection procedure, please contact Dr. G. Iosifidis, via g.iosifidis@tudelft.nl.

Want to know more about our group? Please check our website: https://www.tudelft.nl/ewi/over-de-faculteit/afdelingen/software-technology/networked-system.s

Application procedure

Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 18 May 2025 upload the following documents:

• CV.
• Short motivational letter discussing your academic ambitions, your fit to the vacancy, and relevant research experience.

You can address your application to Dr. G. Iosifidis.

We are looking forward to you application!

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.
• A pre-employment screening can be part of the selection procedure.
• A knowledge security check will be part of the selection procedure (for details page 45: national knowledge security guidelines).
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.