PhD Position Privacy Crop Breeding NL, CD

PhD Position Privacy for Crop Breeding

Do you want to contribute to privacy-preserving models for crop breeding? Join the Pattern Recognition and Bioinformatics section and work at the interface of model design and biological applications.

Genome sequence models are increasingly used in plant breeding and crop improvement pipelines. Training these models on private genomic data carries a risk of memorizing segments of the genomes it was trained on and later reproducing them. This project aims to characterise and mitigate memorisation risk in sequence models to ensure the privacy of training data. The PhD student will develop methods to quantify the degree to which a trained model reproduces specific training sequences, investigate how properties specific to plant genomes shape memorisation behaviour, design strategies that prevent leakage, and translate these findings into practical guidance.

• have a master’s degree (or equivalent) in Computer Science.
• have proven affinity with (and preferably a degree in) Biology.
• have strong computational skills in model design, implementation and testing.
• have experience with courses and projects in Bioinformatics.
• have good communication skills in English (both verbal and written).
• be eager to learn new skills, exchange knowledge and collaborate where possible.
• be willing to teach and guide students. Prior teaching experience is appreciated.

To thrive as a PhD candidate, it is crucial to have a strong research mindset driven by curiosity and passion for the topic. Reflecting on your motivation for pursuing a PhD trajectory is essential, as this path involves unique challenges and uncertainties inherent to scientific exploration. Success requires dedication, adaptability, the ability to analyse complex problems, manage time effectively, innovate, and remain resilient under pressure.

These qualities, combined with the ability and willingness to work independently and collaborate well, are indispensable for a fulfilling PhD journey.

Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4‑year period of employment in principle, structured as two employment contracts: an initial 1.5‑year contract with a progress assessment within 15 months, followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2.5 years, assuming performance requirements are met.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch universities, ranging from €3,059 to €3,881 gross per month, increasing from the first to the fourth year. The package includes 8% holiday allowance, an end‑of‑year bonus of 8.3%, a health insurance discount, monthly work cost contribution, and flexible work schedules.

The Final date to receive applications is 20 July 2026
.

• CV
• Motivational letter—summarise why you want to do a PhD, why the project interests you, evidence of suitability, and what you hope to gain from the position.
• Academic transcripts (both MSc and BSc degrees)
• MSc thesis (link or PDF)

Submit your application online; we will not process applications sent by email or post. Please address your application to Dr. Jasmijn Baaijens.

PhD candidates at TU Delft must meet English proficiency requirements to communicate, interact, and complete English‑taught doctoral courses and scientific writing. For more details, refer to the Graduate School admission requirements.