Postdoc Flight Operations and Interfaces for Hydrogen-Powered Propeller Aircraft

Challenge: Impact propulsion systems on operations.

Change: New interfaces and procedures.

Impact: Contribute to sustainable aviation.

Job description

In this Postdoc position, you will be working on the HAPPS project. The HAPSS project investigates the possibility of Hydrogen Electric Propulsion (HEP) for powering aircraft for short and medium length routes. The transition from turbine engines and wing tanks to a combination of hydrogen containers, fuel cells, electrical power buffering, with its associated cooling and heating requirements will introduce changes in instrumentation and flight deck procedures.

In this project, adaptations to flight deck instrumentation and procedures are developed and tested in manned simulation, and the safety of operations needs to be reassessed. You will work with TU Delft staff and students, developing and using relevant models of the HEP system to assess operational impact and safety, creating an integrated design for the control and monitoring of the propulsion system. This project focuses on human-machine interaction, a second post-doc addresses automation and monitoring, with the collaboration resulting in an integrated human-automation design. Using the simulation facilities (the SIMONA Research Simulator; https://simona.tudelft.nl), you will also set-up demonstrators and manned evaluations of the developed system.

The project is a collaboration between several companies and research institutes in the Netherlands and TU Delft. The work will be performed at TU Delft at the Control and Simulation (C&S) section. The C&S section of the faculty of Aerospace Engineering aims to advance the development of autonomous control systems and combined human-machine systems in aerospace, building on a solid theoretical basis and physical insights while exploiting theoretical progress in adjacent fields, and to validate these systems experimentally in world-class facilities, effectively closing the loop between theory and practice. C&S aims to be a leading research group in the integration, development and testing of new theories on control, autonomous and cognitive systems (with and without human elements).

Job requirements

We are looking for a candidate with a PhD degree in (aerospace) engineering, or a related field with strong skills in engineering. You will be be working with staff and students on modelling, analysis, interface and procedure design and experimental evaluation. You meet or exceed the following qualifications:

• PhD in engineering, and a strong affinity for human-machine interaction research; or PhD in experimental or engineering psychology, and strong engineering skills
• You have the necessary technical and software skills to adapt and augment existing flight simulation experiment programs.
• You have skills to set-up the experiments (including subject instructions, set-up of test protocols, application for human research ethics approval) and elaborate the experiment results.
• Ability to learn quickly and work autonomously, and strong analytical capacity.
• Ability to collaborate and to coach MSc students.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• .Experience with Hydrogen Electric Propulsion systems is welcomed, but not strictly required.

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!

The Faculty of Aerospace Engineering at Delft University of Technology is a leading international community where innovation in aerospace meets global challenges. Our support and scientific staff, including PhD candidates, postdocs, and students, largely work together on three main themes: the energy transition, sustainable aerospace, and safety and security, with the aim of tackling climate change and contributing to the independence and security of Europe.

When you join us, you become part of a diverse, collaborative, and forward-thinking environment where your ideas and perspectives are valued. Our work extends beyond the lab-into field labs, innovation hubs, and partnerships that other faculties, research institutes, governments, and industry, both locally and globally.

We are committed to fostering an inclusive and welcoming workplace, assisted by an active Diversity & Inclusion team. This includes tangible support such as funding for extra personnel for family and caregiving responsibilities, mentoring programmes, and initiatives that promote cultural exchange and integration.

You don't just join our faculty - you join a community where you can thrive, grow, and help shape the future of aerospace

to go to the website of the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering.