Assistant / Associate Professor Signal Processing for Communication

Shape the future of wireless communication through pioneering research in signal processing and physical layer communication!

Job description

Wireless communication is evolving rapidly, driven by the growing demand for connected devices, distributed sensing and intelligent communication systems. As an Assistant or Associate Professor in Signal Processing for Communication, you will strengthen research at the intersection of signal processing and physical layer communication.

As part of TU Delft’s Signal Processing Systems (SPS) group, you will develop your own research vision and research line, with opportunities to work on topics such as communication theory, modulation and coding, synchronization, equalization, estimation and detection, array signal processing, channel modelling and interference mitigation. You explore emerging areas including integrated sensing and communication (ISAC), large-scale antenna systems, reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RIS), near-field communications, machine learning for communication, and next-generation communication systems (6G, massive IoT/distributed sensing).

Your research can address a broad range of applications, including multi-antenna communications, short-range underwater acoustic links, space communications and dynamic non-terrestrial networks (NTN), ad-hoc communication systems, near-field communication and sensing, and radio astronomy. You will collaborate with researchers across disciplines and build partnerships that help translate fundamental advances in signal processing and communication into new technologies and applications. To realise your research vision, you will develop research proposals, attract funding and build and supervise a team of PhD candidates and researchers. You will disseminate your findings through scientific publications, conferences and your international network.

At the same time, you will contribute to TU Delft’s world-class education, particularly BSc and MSc Electrical Engineering courses in wireless communication and related subjects such as Estimation & Detection.

At SPS, you will join a diverse and supportive team of professors, researchers, engineers and students. As an Assistant Professor, you will join TU Delft’s Academic Career Track, which offers structured support to grow your academic career towards associate and full professorship. Excellently qualified more senior researchers are invited to apply at Associate Professor level. As we are highly motivated to improve gender diversity in (Assistant/Associate) Professor positions, we warmly invite female candidates to apply. In the event of equal qualification, preference will be given to a female candidate.

Job requirements

We are looking for a researcher with a strong scientific foundation, a passion for innovation, and the ambition to develop a leading research programme in signal processing for communication. You enjoy combining theory, experimentation and real-world applications, and you are motivated to contribute to both research excellence and high-quality education.

You also have:

- A PhD in Electrical Engineering or a closely related discipline, with outstanding academic credentials.

- One or more years of postdoctoral experience in relevant areas.

- A strong research background in signal processing and physical layer communication.

- The ambition to become a future scientific leader in this area and develop an attractive subgroup consisting of several PhD students and researchers, covering compelling independent research lines.

- The potential to acquire competitive research funding.

- A genuine interest in teaching and supervising BSc and MSc students in wireless communication and related Electrical Engineering courses.

- Excellent communication skills and the ability to build relevant academic and research networks.

- An excellent command of English, as TU Delft is an internationally diverse community.

We recognise that academic careers develop along different paths and welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds. If you are excited about this opportunity but do not meet every requirement, we encourage you to apply.

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 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.

Click  here to go to the website of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science.

Conditions of employment
This position is offered as an Academic Career Track position (0.8 – 1.0 FTE). During the Academic Career Track, we expect you to grow towards an Associate Professor position within a maximum of eight years, for which a position will be available. With other Academic Career Track colleagues, you will participate in the Academic Career Track Development programme, where you are offered ample opportunities to develop yourself in the areas of Education, Research, Societal Impact & Innovation, and Leadership & Organisation. You will regularly discuss your development and results with senior staff based on a personalized development plan and performance criteria agreed upon at the start of your Academic Career Track. You will start with a temporary contract that will be converted to a permanent contract no later than 12 -18 months after a positive evaluation, based on continuous confidence in your development potential and fit in the organisation.

Assistant Professor

During the Academic Career Track, we expect you to grow towards an Associate Professor position within a maximum of eight years, for which a position will be available. With other Academic Career Track colleagues, you will participate in the Academic Career Track Development programme, where you are offered ample opportunities to develop yourself in the areas of Education, Research, Societal Impact & Innovation, and Leadership & Organisation. You will regularly discuss your development and results with senior staff based on a personalized development and performance criteria agreed upon at the start of your Academic Career Track. You will start with a temporary contract that will be converted to a permanent contract no later than 12 -18 months after a positive evaluation, based on continuous confidence in your development potential and fit in the organisation.

Salary scale 11-12: €4.728,-- to € 7.297,-- per month gross.

Associate Professor

For an Associate Professor position, we offer an initial temporary position with the prospect of a permanent contract. The duration of the temporary position is a maximum of 1 year. After a positive performance assessment, you will be employed in a permanent Associate Professor position.

Salary scale 13-14: € 6.512,-- to € 8.673,-- per month gross.

Inspiring, excellent education is our central aim. We expect you to obtain a University Teaching Qualification (UTQ) within three years if you have less than five years of teaching experience. This is provided by the TU Delft UTQ programme as part of the Academic Career Track Development programme.

TU Delft sets high standards for the English competency of the teaching staff. The TU Delft offers training to improve English competency. If you do not speak Dutch, we offer courses to learn the Dutch language within three years.

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 and you can work partly from home.

Will you need to relocate to the Netherlands for this job? TU Delft is committed to make your move as smooth as possible! The HR unit, Coming to Delft Service , provides information and personal one-on-one guidance to help you prepare your relocation, and to find housing and schools for children (if applicable). In addition, Coming to Delft Service organises events to help you settle in the Netherlands, and expand your (social) network in Delft. A Dual Career Programme is available to support your accompanying partner with their job search in the Netherlands. .

Additional information
If you would like more information about this vacancy or the selection procedure, please contact Prof.dr. Alle-Jan van der Veen, via [email protected] .

Application procedure
Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 15 November 2026 via the application button and upload the following documents:

- CV including publication list

- Motivational letter

- Research vision (2p)

- Teaching vision (1p)

If you are applying for this position as Associate Professor, you we request you to submit the following documents in addition to those listed above:

- a personal vision, assessment of your position and self-evaluation regarding Education, Research, Valorization, Organization and Leadership

- a description of what you consider to be your most significant contribution

- a self-reflection on your personal growth and development to date and looking towards the future

You can address your application to Prof.dr. Alle-Jan van der Veen. (AI-generated texts not appreciated.) After a first selection, video interviews will be held in December. In-person interviews at TU Delft will take place in February.

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. (https://www.tudelft.nl/over-tu-delft/strategie/kennisveiligheid)

- Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.