This position has been filled.

Are you a masters graduate who wants to continue their study and become an PDEng while working as an R&D software engineer?

Sorama and the Electronic Systems (ES) group within the Department of Electrical Engineering of Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) are seeking to hire an outstanding PDEng candidate within the field of Signal Processing and Software Engineering.

About the Project

Noise is the second largest harmful environmental factor to human beings in Europe and claims 1.6 million healthy life years each year, mainly due to stress and sleep disturbances. VIPNOM focuses on the development of advanced noise measurement methods and acoustic virtual reality.

To effectively combat unwanted noise, it is important to first be able to measure it. Currently, noise is measured by placing microphones at specific locations and those measurements made are applicable for those locations only. VIPNOM advocates the use of microphone arrays at central locations, where noise levels at several other locations can also be measured simultaneously, such as at the balconies of an apartment building next to a noisy road, or across a large area of the city center.

In order to accurately measure noise levels, VIPNOM will further develop, optimize and implement the methods that are developed in the ZERO NWO project. The resulting algorithms will be tested in the living labs: Stratumseind, Strijp-S, and the Philips Stadium. Additionally, the same techniques will also be applied in an acoustic virtual reality to allow interested parties (such as citizens and policy officers) to auralize and experience noise beyond just decibel values on a written report.

This project is funded by Eindhoven Engine.

About the position

We are looking for two PDEng candidates who will strengthen the Sorama team. During the project the candidates are encouraged to spend part of their work at Eindhoven Engine as well as the TU/e. The two positions will work closely together. This position focuses on the development and implementation of acoustic signal processing algorithms. The ideal candidate is interested (or already have experience) in software development and has affinity with signal processing techniques. He or she should expect and succeed in tasks like reviewing and validating prototype codes, translating and optimizing prototype codes into production codes. The actual scope will be personalized based on the profile of the candidate.

The candidate will also be registered at TU/e and complete training courses related to the project. Program graduates will be awarded a certified diploma and the degree “Professional Doctorate in Engineering” (PDEng).

Electronic Systems group at TU/e and Sorama

The Electronic Systems group consists of seven full professors, two associate professors, eight assistant professors, several postdocs, about 40 PDEng and PhD candidates and support staff. The ES group is world-renowned for its design automation and embedded systems research. It is our ambition to provide a scientific basis for design trajectories of electronic systems, ranging from digital circuits to cyber-physical systems. The trajectories are constructive and lead to high quality, cost-effective systems with predictable properties (functionality, timing, reliability, power dissipation, and cost).

Sorama is a highly innovative company that leads and redefines the frontiers of knowledge in acoustic imaging. This is achieved through intensive collaborations with academic partners and also relentless in-house R&D efforts, effectively bridging the gap between academic findings and industrial know-how. Sorama aims to improve the quality of life for all people, wherever they are, by providing the technology to Make Sound Insightful. Founded in 2009 as a TU/e spin-off by Rick Scholte, Sorama is one of the Netherlands’ Top 250 Growth Companies in 2021.

Requirements

We are looking for excellent candidates that add value to Sorama and the ES group with the following profile:

• Master degree (preferably in computer science, electrical engineering, software engineering or related)
• Experience in signal processing is strongly preferred
• Proficient with C++, and/or MATLAB
• Experience in CUDA is a plus, but not required
• Comfortable working in a (multi-disciplinary) team
• Driven, eager, enthusiastic, ambitious personality
• Interested in acquiring new skills and competences
• Live in/near Eindhoven or willing to relocate

Appointment and salary

We offer a full-time, fixed-term, 2-year contract at Sorama including:

• Competitive salary
• 25 Holiday days and the option to purchase additional days
• Challenging work environment where you can create global impact through our unique solutions
• Operate in a fast-growing company with good future perspectives
• Knowledgeable and inspiring colleagues
• Eindhoven Engine and TU/e interaction days throughout your project
• A flexible work environment
• Unique office location at Strijp-T, a 5-minute walk from the Eindhoven Strijp-S train station
• Excellent coffee and rooftop BBQs

Interested?

Please send your CV, including a detailed curriculum vitae, a letter of motivation, a portfolio with copies of diplomas with course grades and contact information of two references, to jin.jack.tan@sorama.eu under the subject “PDEng student on Virtual Position Noise Measurement”.

For more information on the position, please contact dr. Jin Jack Tan jin.jack.tan@sorama.eu or call our office at +31 40 3041019.

Sorama and the Building Acoustics group within the Department of Built Environment of Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) are seeking to hire an outstanding PDEng candidate within the field of Acoustic Virtual Reality and Software Engineering.

About the Project

Noise is the second largest harmful environmental factor to human beings in Europe and claims 1.6 million healthy life years each year, mainly due to stress and sleep disturbances. VIPNOM focuses on the development of advanced noise measurement methods and acoustic virtual reality.

To effectively combat unwanted noise, it is important to first be able to measure it. Currently, noise is measured by placing microphones at specific locations and those measurements made are applicable for those locations only. VIPNOM advocates the use of microphone arrays at central locations, where noise levels at several other locations can also be measured simultaneously, such as at the balconies of an apartment building next to a noisy road, or across a large area of the city center.

In order to accurately measure noise levels, VIPNOM will further develop, optimize and implement the methods that are developed in the ZERO NWO project. The resulting algorithms will be tested in the living labs: Stratumseind, Strijp-S, and the Philips Stadium. Additionally, the same techniques will also be applied in an acoustic virtual reality to allow interested parties (such as citizens and policy officers) to auralize and experience noise beyond just decibel values on a written report.

This project is funded by Eindhoven Engine.

About the Position

We are looking for one PDEng candidate who will strengthen the Sorama team. During the project the candidate is encouraged to spend part of their work at Eindhoven Engine as well as the TU/e. The position focuses on the development and implementation of an acoustic virtual reality system incorporating acoustic signal processing algorithms developed by the other PDEngs in VIPNOM. The ideal candidate is interested (or already have experience) in software development related to virtual reality (e.g. Unity). He or she should expect and succeed in tasks like setting up, maintaining, documenting and optimizing a virtual reality platform, as well as implementing prototype research codes (or production codes). The actual scope will be personalized based on the profile of the candidate.

The candidate will also be registered at TU/e and complete training courses related to the project. Program graduates will be awarded a certified diploma and the degree “Professional Doctorate in Engineering” (PDEng).

Building Acoustics group at TU/e and Sorama

Building Acoustics (BA) is the acoustics research group at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e). The group strives to contribute to the reduction of adverse health effects caused by human-induced noise and to promote positively perceived sound environments. The research in the group revolves around developing computational and experimental methods for acoustics in the built environment, with research areas on acoustics materials, environmental acoustics, acoustic virtual reality, and the effects of the sound environment on humans.

Sorama is a highly innovative company that leads and redefines the frontiers of knowledge in acoustic imaging. This is achieved through intensive collaborations with academic partners and also relentless in-house R&D efforts, effectively bridging the gap between academic findings and industrial know-how. Sorama aims to improve the quality of life for all people, wherever they are, by providing the technology to Make Sound Insightful. Founded in 2009 as a TU/e spin-off by Rick Scholte, Sorama is one of the Netherlands’ Top 250 Growth Companies in 2021.

Requirements

We are looking for excellent candidates that add value to Sorama and the Building Acoustics group with the following profile:

• Master degree (preferably in computer science, electrical engineering, software engineering or related),
• Experience in VR is strongly preferred,
• Experience in two of the followings is strongly preferred: acoustics, signal processing, software engineering/design,
• Experience in C++ and MATLAB is a plus, but not required,
• Experience in Agile, or willingness to adopt it,
• Comfortable working in a (multi-disciplinary) team,
• Driven, eager, enthusiastic, ambitious personality,
• Interested in acquiring new skills and competences,
• Live in/near Eindhoven or willing to relocate.

Appointment and salary

We offer a full-time, fixed-term, 2-year contract at Sorama including:

• Competitive salary (above VSNU CAO’s rate for a PDEng),
• Courses and training at TUe relevant to the PDEng degree,
• 25 Holiday days and the option to purchase additional days,
• Challenging work environment where you can create global impact through our unique solutions,
• Operate in a fast-growing company with good future perspectives,
• Knowledgeable and inspiring colleagues,
• Eindhoven Engine and TU/e interaction days throughout your project,
• A flexible work environment,
• Unique office location at Strijp-T, less than 5-minute walk away from the Eindhoven Strijp-S train station,
• Excellent coffee, fresh fruits, and rooftop BBQs.

Interested?

Please send your CV, including a detailed curriculum vitae, a letter of motivation, a portfolio with copies of diplomas with course grades and contact information of two references, to jin.jack.tan@sorama.eu under the subject “PDEng position on Virtual Position Noise Measurement”.

For more information on the position, please contact dr. Jin Jack Tan jin.jack.tan@sorama.eu or call our office at +31 40 3041019.

Eindhoven Engine plays a significant role within this milieu in order to accelerate innovation and deliver cutting-edge technological solutions. Female tech heroes from different cultural backgrounds add more diversity to the prevalent tech world within this community.

Even though the Netherlands still has much to achieve in terms of inclusivity and diversity within the tech sector, things are slowly changing and improving. Here, what we want to focus on is female inclusivity in high-tech research within the Eindhoven Engine community and the initiation of the female tech heroes era to inspire and make more women enthusiastic about the tech industry. Making the public more aware and creating diversity through inclusivity within Eindhoven Engine are significant objectives in this process.

Eindhoven Engine community

Until April 2022, Eindhoven Engine had 19 projects within the main topics of High Tech, Health Tech, Mobility, Energy and Smart Cities. These projects included 164 members, including the administration team and office team students. Within these projects, the female figure amounts to 23%. Given that only 14% of the entire tech system in the Netherlands are women, Eindhoven Engine is already demonstrating a progressive step which can definitively be expanded in due course. At the end of April, one project finalized its research at Eindhoven Engine.

Since OpenCall 2022, seven innovation projects have joined the Engine, bringing the total number of projects up to 25. These projects are WECARE, Smart Heat Shed, PowerLift, DynaPopeX, Direct Air Capture 2.0, COLLidE and AUXSTENT. The diversified nature of the projects is designed in a way to range across the spectrum of cutting-edge technology.

The WECARE project focuses on making an impact on people with dementia. Smart Heat Shed addresses the rapid energy transition. PowerLift wishes to make an impact on the electric aviation industry. Poor air quality and its impacts are being addressed by the DynaPopeX project. In the same direction, the Direct Air Capture 2.0 project aims to capture CO₂ directly from ambient air and use it for net-carbon-zero solutions. The CoLLidE project aims for the market introduction of reusable food packaging. AUXSTENT’s objective is unlocking the mechanical limitations of synthetic heart stents.

As the first step in creating diversity through inclusivity and making an impact on these crossover innovations, Eindhoven Engine invites female tech heroes to apply and explore these new ventures.

Dr. ir. Shalika Walker

Postdoctoral Researcher at Eindhoven University of Technology and Eindhoven Engine
(Brains4Buildings project)

Project Leader at Kropman Installatietechniek

• Bert Pauli, Chairman of our Supervisory Board, reflects on our common achievements of 2021 and looks ahead to 2022.
• The OpenCall 2022 is open! Join the online roadshow on 10 January if you are considering to submit a project proposal.
• The launch of our Eindhoven Engine Academy course “Business Model Innovation in an Exponential World”.
• An update of one of our projects POWErFITTing.
• Joelle van den Broek has taken over the role of TNO Liaison Officer from Dick Koster. Check out her view on taking up this role.
• An update on the building of the Eindhoven Engine Community: Moving fast!
• And also, the Fontys Engineers Meet & Match 2022. For companies which are looking for trainees or graduates from Fontys University of Applied Sciences.

Read more

I am Joëlle van den Broek, and I have joined the Eindhoven Engine team as liaison officer for TNO, succeeding Dick Koster.

I have been working in the field of Innovation for 30 years in various domains and roles. The common thread in my work is bringing together parties, people, knowledge and ambitions to realize new products and system innovations for complex social issues. Interdisciplinary or even cross-sector collaboration is often required and the issues are certainly not only technology related. My background as an Industrial Designer (TUD) helps to build the creative and surprising bridges that are often needed to take an innovation to the next steps.

Joëlle van den Broek, TNO liaison officer Eindhoven Engine

“My motto is ‘always look with a fresh look outside – in.”

Orchestrating Innovation

In my current position at TNO as Principal Strategic Consultant, I advise authorities, companies and my own TNO board about the opportunities and possibilities of new smart developments in Traffic and Mobility. Together with them, I set up large public-private programs to realize these possibilities. At TNO we call this ‘Orchestrating Innovation’.

This is also what I want to bring to the Engine: see what is happening in the outside world and initiate new collaborations by connecting the issues that partners have to knowledge and technologies. And, in so doing, accelerate new innovative solutions.

Because of my broad background and network, both outside and inside TNO, I can connect TNO colleagues and the issues they are working on to the approaches taken by the Engine and external private and public parties. And vice versa, I expect that with the refreshing approach of the Eindhoven Engine, I can bring added value to the innovation themes of my TNO colleagues!

Finally, a few words about myself: I am an Eindhoven importee, for over 20 years already. I am married and have three children. Also in my spare time I like to envision new things and like to spend time outside in the countryside or in my garden.

My motto is ‘always look with a fresh look outside – in’. Create impact by focusing on the problem that needs to be solved, work together to bring existing technologies and new insights to each other. Then you can come up with great solutions!

The seminar series (course) on Business Model Innovation in an Exponential World, co-financed by PATO*, is available on our website as of 15 December. In the best of open-source tradition, we have made all of the content available with a roadbook, workbook, webinars and additional resources so that any individual or group can freely use it. 

If you and your team know how to walk the path of a particular innovation and you know what your ideal outcome should be, a good systems engineering approach will adequately support you. But if you are dealing with a wicked problem in which you know the rough problem area but have no idea yet of all possible solutions, systems engineering is not going to help you. In such a case, you need to spend more time on understanding the problem area as systematically as possible and not jumping too quickly to solutions. At the same time, there is the imperative of rapid, agile innovation as the exponential reality does not leave you with too much time either. Additionally, the objective is not only to come up with innovative solutions to a wicked problem; market viability and societal impact are crucial if you would want your innovation to become real.

With that in mind, we have designed and developed this Business Model Innovation in an Exponential World course. In a short period of time, it helps you and your team to understand the problem area profoundly, identify a few meaningful scenarios that lead towards solutions, pay attention to their sustainability and circularity, and translate them into a business model canvas. Ideally, every project should start with this approach, but it could be equally useful after the first exploration of potential solutions.

Transformational journeys

The course supports you and the team in undergoing two transformational journeys. One journey deals with each participant’s personal transformation, as if we are not critical regarding our assumptions, prejudgments, experiences and so on, we will continue doing what we have always done and innovation will be difficult. The second transformation journey is one based on a particular project or problem. The team will walk through a six-step approach based on design thinking and systems thinking, using the collective intelligence of the team to lead to a prototype/business model of a few viable solution scenarios.

Both journeys are supported by webinars, giving background to the approach and illustrating the assignments. A ‘script’ is made available that participants can follow, detailing the methodology. At each step of the assignments, resources can be used to support the learning of the participants if needed.

Real transformation is complicated and takes time. Although we make the entire methodology available for free use by anybody, we are simultaneously aware that such transformation journeys will be much more impactful if correctly supported, coached and mentored. Based on this approach, Eindhoven Engine Academy can support you in the design and mentoring of a tailormade transformation journey for your particular project or company. 

As of 2022, we will offer this seminar series internally to our Eindhoven Engine projects. For the public market, we will offer a four-day, fully-present seminar on this content in the spring. Follow our socials to find out more about this offering. For now (15 December), make use of this opportunity and, if needed, contact us to discuss tailormade solutions.

In a short period of time, it helps you and your team to:

• Understand the problem area profoundly
• Identify a few meaningful scenarios that lead towards solutions
• Pay attention to their sustainability and circularity
• And translate them into a business model canvas

Despite the difficulties of the pandemic, 2021 went well for Eindhoven Engine: four new projects have been added, Eindhoven Engine Academy is gathering pace and OpenCall 2022 is ready to run. Bert Pauli, Head of the Supervisory Board, looks back on a positive year and ahead to our upcoming ambitions.

Strength in adversity

Of course, it hasn’t all been plain sailing. Co-location has largely been exchanged for online activities, while events such as the hackathon have been postponed. But in challenge lies opportunity, and the pandemic has allowed us to pilot a system which supports people in asking questions and finding one another. Regular talks with projects and virtual networking have also allowed us to follow the newest developments in Brainport and beyond, helping us to expand our reach even with reduced physical contact.

“Overall, we are very satisfied with our progress and currently have 19 projects,” says Bert. “The Academy is helping them with design thinking, systems thinking, leadership development and business model innovation, while community activities are increasing serendipity between people from different projects – from outside of the box, so to speak and helping to increase crossover potential.”

Partners in equilibrium

Such crossovers between projects – whether in terms of individuals, knowledge or resources – are a crucial part of the Engine’s work and have continued this year with the addition of projects from OpenCall 2021. These also highlight our diversity as an organization, ranging from climate systems and digital twins to energy towers and noise measurement. By encouraging collaboration across domains, we aim to answer interlinked questions facing humanity and our environment.

Engine

on the move

From left to right: Arnoud de Jong, Katja Pahnke, Guustaaf Savenije, Maarten Steinbuch, Bert Pauli, Elke den Ouden, Staf Depla (Superadvisory Board and Directors Eindhoven Engine)

“I’m happy to see that the newest call has increased our number of partners, including both SMEs and bigger organizations,” continues Bert. “It’s also boosted the visibility of our shareholders: TU Eindhoven, TNO and Fontys. This is a trusting relationship with various perspectives on why the Engine is important, including the valorization of new ideas and access to bigger consortia in the region. The Engine is a showcase for entrepreneurship and agile innovation and it’s good to have all these partners in equilibrium.

“The Engine is a showcase for entrepreneurship and agile innovation and it’s good to have all these partners in equilibrium.”

Bert Pauli, Head Superadvisory Board Eindhoven Engine

Investing in the future

Looking to 2022, the most important task is to allocate the 2.4 million euros received via the Regio Deal to as many as seven new projects. With a little luck, this will coincide with the return of co-location, furthering crossovers between these projects and those already running. The biggest ambition of the Supervisory Board and the Eindhoven Engine management is now to develop a financing structure and business model for after the conclusion of the current call structure in 2025.

“In the Regio Deal,” Bert concludes, “we focus on a balance of projects, outreach and Academy activities. What we see now is new developments in which Eindhoven Engine can play a role, such as the National Growth Fund. We’re already involved in proposals for quantum technology, next-gen high-tech and Data-driven Mobility and Smart City (DEMS) and can contribute to networking, ecosystem development and orchestration. This could help with our goal of finding other financing possibilities to keep on accelerating innovation for years to come.”

It is obvious that the COVID-19 situation has not very kind to us lately: more working from home, the postponement of the much-anticipated Eindhoven Engine Hack2Impact hackathon and no physical seminar get-together. However, we were able to meet the community in person over the last few months and it was great; we saw more interaction between the projects. An awesome example was Hans Brombacher, PhD candidate in the POWErFITTing project, who performed a study at the co-location with the help of the community. Famke Paulussen, student in the Future of Work project, was also able to hold interviews about hybrid working with the help of you, the community. I’m convinced that having met each other in real life will definitely help with finding each other online as well!

Elevate one another to the next level

In the last week of November, we also had a good session about how to further expand our Eindhoven Engine Community of Practice and create more value for and with one another. There was a good discussion about what a community should be (and what not!). I can’t resist sharing, in my view, the most outstanding points mentioned. In a community, there is no place for working in silos; everyone should be equal and it should definitely not be a place to come and steal ideas but rather to help elevate one another to the next level by sharing experiences and knowledge. The need to meet is there. It is now up to all of us to make the time worth it!

“The need to meet is there. It is now up to all of us
to make the time worth it!”

Joris Dufils, Eindhoven Engine community