EngD in Image-Based Damage Detection in Paintings

Introduction

Are you eager to work on a challenging image analysis problem with direct societal impact? Together with ASML, the Van Gogh Museum and TU/e, you will develop crack detection methods for paintings and build software that supports conservators in their daily work.

Job Description

Cultural heritage is an integral part of our built environment: paintings, monuments, and historic interiors are human-made assets that degrade under environmental loads such as humidity, temperature, and mechanical stress. High-resolution scanners can now capture the colour and surface topography of a painting down to the microscale, but the resulting datasets are large, heterogeneous, and complex. Crack assessment therefore still relies on manual visual inspection, which is time-consuming, subjective, and difficult to reproduce over time.

As our EngD trainee, you will design and validate a semi-automatic crack detection and classification framework based on the fusion of high-resolution colour and surface height data. This is a challenging image analysis problem: cracks appear as thin dark lines, but so do brushstrokes, impasto, and pigment variations, and no single imaging modality is sufficient on its own. You will develop robust image-processing and multi-modal fusion methods, extract quantitative crack descriptors, and integrate these into an interactive software tool that supports conservators in documentation, monitoring, and decision-making, without replacing expert judgement. You will be embedded at ASML in Veldhoven and collaborate closely with conservators and scientists of the Van Gogh Museum and researchers at TU/e, within the framework of the Materials innovation institute (M2i), at the meeting point of high-tech industry, academia, and one of the world's most renowned museums.

Smart Buildings & Cities EngD Program
The Smart Buildings & Cities EngD program wants to contribute to the transition towards smart, intelligent, and sustainable cities where the quality of life for residents is high and cultural assets are preserved for future generations. This transition requires new solutions which can only be created through multiscale and transdisciplinary approaches.
The program consists of two main parts running in parallel:
- One part of the program consists of post-graduate level education in the form of generic design projects and courses on design methods, entrepreneurship, and management, with special attention to the development of professional skills. The education part also includes technical courses on topics relevant to SBCs, as well as courses tailored to the specific topic of the individual project, such as image processing, data science, and software development.
- The other part of the program is dedicated to an individual design project in collaboration with a company or with a consortium of companies and organizations, who work together on a subsidies project. It is the trainee’s main responsibility to manage and execute (own part of) the project. Each trainee is supported by an advisor from the company and a supervisor from the university.

Job Requirements

We are looking for an excellent and highly motivated candidate with:

• an MSc degree in Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, Applied Physics, Mechanical Engineering, Structural/Civil Engineering, or a related field
• an interest in image processing, computer vision, data analysis, machine learning and in translating algorithms into practical, user-oriented software tools
• demonstrable programming skills (e.g. Python, Pytorch); experience with image analysis, machine learning, or damage/defect detection is an advantage
• an excellent command of the English language, both in speaking and writing
• the ability to work in a team and an interest in collaborating with the industrial partner (ASML) and museum professionals (Van Gogh Museum)
• affinity with cultural heritage or conservation is a plus, but not required

We value diversity in our team and encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds.
Candidates with non-traditional profiles or degrees from related disciplines are welcome to apply.

Conditions of Employment

A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university, in an international setting with a close relationship to industry. You will work on a beautiful, green campus within walking distance of the central train station. In addition, we offer you:

• Full-time employment for two years.
• Salary and benefits (such as a pension scheme, paid pregnancy and maternity leave, partially paid parental leave) in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, scale TOIO (€ 3,029 gross per month).
• A year-end bonus of 8.3% and annual vacation pay of 8%.
• To support you during your EngD and to prepare you for the rest of your career, you will have free access to a personal development program for EngD trainees.
• An excellent technical infrastructure, on-campus children's day care and sports facilities.
• Unlimited access to the modern on‑campus TU/e Student Sports Center at an exceptionally affordable rate.
• An allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs.
• A Staff Immigration Team and a tax compensation scheme (the 30% facility) for international candidates.

On our website you can discover even more information about our conditions of employment. Build on your career at TU/e!

About us

We are a leading international university where scientific curiosity meets a hands-on mindset. We work in an open and collaborative way with high-tech industries to tackle complex societal challenges. Our responsible and respectful approach ensures impact — today and in the future. TU/e is home to over 13,000 students and more than 7,000 staff, forming a diverse and vibrant academic community.

Our university is located in Brainport Eindhoven — a world‑leading tech region with more than 7,000 high‑tech companies and strong R&D activity. Known for breakthroughs in AI, photonics, semiconductors and advanced manufacturing, Brainport is a place where technology serves people and society. Learn more about the Brainport region here.

Sustainability, in its broadest definition, is the cornerstone of research and education in the Department of Built Environment. We take the lead in (re)shaping the built environment to be future-proof, safe, healthy, inclusive and respectful of planetary boundaries. We house the entire spectrum of technology, engineering, design, and human behavior disciplines in the built environment, with world-class experimental facilities at all scales. This allows us to address societal challenges from a uniquely integrated perspective.

Information

Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more? Please contact the hiring manager Dr. Emanuela Bosco [email protected].

Visit our website for more information about the application process. You can also contact HR Services BE (Built Environment) : [email protected]. 

Are you inspired and would like to know more about working at TU/e? Please visit our career page.

Application

We invite you to submit a complete application by using the apply button. The application should include:

• A cover letter in which you describe your motivation and qualifications for the position.
• A curriculum vitae, including a list of your publications and the contact information of three references. Kindly note that we may reach out to references at any stage of the recruitment process. We recommend notifying your references upon submitting your application.
• Copies of relevant BSc and MSc diplomas and grade transcripts.
• The result of an English proficiency test such as IELTS or TOEFL.

Ensure that you submit all the requested application documents. We give priority to complete applications.

We look forward to receiving your application and will screen it as soon as possible. The vacancy will remain open until the position is filled.

Please note

• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post. 
• A pre-employment screening (e.g. knowledge security check) can be part of the selection procedure. For more information on the knowledge security check, please consult the National Knowledge Security Guidelines.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.