Join TU Delft as a postdoc on the CHESS project to model, design, and validate next-generation façade-integrated solar heat systems for gas-free high-rise buildings.
Job descriptionDelft University of Technology invites applications for a postdoctoral researcher to join the CHESS project - Convective Heat Source from the Building Skin.
CHESS develops a new façade-integrated energy system that harvests heat through natural convection in ventilated façades, coupled with a water-to-water heat pump. Unlike conventional rooftop PV/T or air-source heat pumps, this solution works silently, day and night, even without sunlight, and scales with façade area. It offers a breakthrough for gas-free heating in high-rise and stacked housing, where roof space is limited and noise restrictions apply.
As postdoc, you will take a leading role in the modeling and validation of this innovative system. Your main tasks include:
- Developing thermal models of convective heat transfer in ventilated cavities and their coupling to water-based heat exchangers.
- Extending these to system-level simulations including heat pumps, buffer storage, and building demand.
- Using monitoring data from the experimental façade at TU Delft's Green Village to calibrate and validate models.
- Investigating control strategies (e.g. Predictive or machine learning approaches) to improve performance and reduce costs.
- Collaborating with industrial partners on design optimization, life-cycle analysis, and business case development.
- Publishing results in journals and conferences, and engaging with stakeholders through workshops and demonstrations.
The position is embedded in the Photovoltaic Materials and Devices (PVMD) group, in close cooperation with TU Delft colleagues and industrial partners such as Aldowa Green. You will work in a multidisciplinary environment, linking fundamental modeling to real?'world application.
We offer an inspiring research setting at one of Europe's leading technical universities, with access to unique test facilities and strong international collaboration networks. This position provides the opportunity to contribute directly to the energy transition and to the development of sustainable, scalable heating solutions for the built environment.
The research in the Department of Electrical Sustainable Energy is inspired by the technical, scientific, and societal challenges originating from the transition towards a more sustainable society and focuses on four areas:
- DC Systems, Energy Conversion and Storage (DCE&S)
- Photovoltaic Materials and Devices (PVMD)
- Intelligent Electrical Power Grids (IEPG)
- High Voltage Technologies (HVT)
The Electrical Sustainable Energy Department provides expertise in each of these areas throughout the entire energy system chain. The department owns a large ESP laboratory assembling High Voltage testing, DC Grids testing environment, and large RTDS that is actively used for real?'time simulation of future electrical power systems, AC and DC protection, and wide?'area monitoring and protection. Furthermore, the department own one of the largest academic RTDS infrastructure equiped with additional labs for performing Control and Protection HiL testing.
You will work with Olindo Isabella in the Photovoltaic Materials and Devices (PVMD) group as part of the Electrical Sustainable Energy (ESE) department. The program of the PVMD group builds up expertise in the design and fabrication technology from solar cells to PV systems with their power electronics and storage options. The ESE department's research activities aim at accelerating the energy transition towards sustainable energy.
Job requirementsWe are acutely aware that we are a diverse society and not every talented applicant will have had the same opportunities to advance their careers. We therefore pledge to fully account for any particular circumstances that the applicants disclose (e.g. Parental leave, caring duties, part?'time jobs to support studies, disabilities etc.) to ensure an inclusive and fair recruitment process that does not rely purely on common research metrics.
The successful applicant will have:
- PhD degree in Mechanical Engineering, Energy Engineering, Applied Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
- Strong background in modeling and simulation of thermal/energy systems, preferably including PV/T or hybrid solar systems.
- Experience with numerical modeling (e.g. MATLAB/Simulink, Modelica, COMSOL, or similar) and data analysis.
- Familiarity with heat pump systems, building energy simulations, or control/optimization is an advantage.
- Track record of scientific publications in relevant fields (thermal systems, solar energy, PV/T, energy in buildings).
- Ability to work independently and in a team, with strong communication skills in English (spoken and written).
- Motivation to collaborate with industry and apply research results in practice.
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 ScienceThe 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.
here to go to the website of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science.
Additional information Application procedureAre you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 28 September 2025 via the application button and upload the following documents:
- Application letter addressed to dr. Rudi Santbergen that explains your personal motivation in pursuing a postdoctorate and fit to the job requirements;
- Curriculum vitae (CV) with a list of (academic and/or industry) references that we can contact;
- Qualification evidence including latest degrees and transcripts.
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.
- For the final candidates, a knowledge security check will be part of the application procedure. For more information on this check, please consult Chapter 8 of the National Knowledge Security Guidelines. We carry out this check on the basis of legitimate interest.
- Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.