PhD Position on Life Cycle Assessment for Design of Structures

Challenge: Develop LCA methodologies compatible with structural design and the energy transition in aviation

Change: Design paradigm beyond lightweight

Impact: More sustainable aircraft structures

Job description

This position is part of the Dutch Aviation Systems Analysis Lab (DASAL) project, a collaboration between TU Delft and Royal NLR within the Dutch Luchtvaart in Transitie programme. DASAL develops computational and simulation models to assess the effects of aviation innovations and policy choices on sustainability, economic, and societal impact.

The life-cycle impact of conventional and commercial aircraft is largely driven by their fuel efficiency, given the large number of flight hours these vehicles accumulate. From a structural design perspective, this efficiency primarily translates into lightweighting, driving most current research toward lighter structures. However, the energy transition in aviation poses new scenarios that may affect the aforementioned relationship between life-cycle impact and fuel efficiency. For instance, the use of green hydrogen as a low-emission fuel might bring to the forefront other life-cycle aspects beyond fuel efficiency, potentially introducing significant changes in the design principles for novel structures. Additionally, hybrid and electric aircraft will require unprecedented levels of maintenance related to battery exchange, which will also drive structural designs towards easier-to-maintain options.

The LCA community uses life-cycle analysis as a decision-making method rather than a quantitative objective function, yet designs are usually defined by quantitative indicators, such as the mass of the system, costs to acquire and process raw materials, costs to manufacture the designed parts, and so forth. Therefore, this PhD research will have the challenge of defining structural design-compatible LCA methods that are accurate enough to produce the minimum level of certainty compatible with conceptual and preliminary design phases, and enable a good trade-off.

Furthermore, to answer some of the research questions, the PhD researcher might need to define experiments aimed at refining some of the LCA assumptions or data that will be considered critical during the research.

Preliminary research questions for the PhD project are:

1. While traditionally structural design in aerospace focuses on lightweighting, what other life-cycle design focal points can be expected with currently intended transitions in aerospace, including the use of hydrogen, hybrid and electric aircraft?
2. How to create LCA scenarios to evaluate technologies that could enable breakthroughs in sustainable structural design?
3. The above questions will be further refined, and more research questions will be defined by the PhD candidate in the first months of their research.

In addition to the main project, you may contribute to educational and ongoing research initiatives within the group, leveraging your expertise. You will also have the opportunity to explore and develop your own ideas and research directions.

The first supervisor of this PhD position will be an Assistant Professor dedicated to life-cycle assessment for structures, and the promotor will be Irene Fernandez Villegas, Associate Professor, both working in the Department of Aerospace Structures and Materials, within the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering at Delft University of Technology.

Job requirements

You must have:

• A master’s degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related discipline.
• Strong interest in structural design, sustainability, life-cycle analysis, and experimental testing.
• The capacity to work independently and as a team member.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to collaborate with researchers from different disciplines.

The outcomes of this project will be disseminated to the scientific community, industrial stakeholders and a general audience through presentations at national and international conferences, publications in peer-reviewed journals, and project meetings. You will also participate in English-taught Doctoral Education courses, write scientific articles and prepare a final thesis. Additionally, you may be involved in training and teaching MSc students. Therefore, a good level of English proficiency and social skills are required to work effectively with academic, industrial and project stakeholders. For more details, please check the Graduate Schools Admission Requirements: https://www.tudelft.nl/onderwijs/opleidingen/phd/admission.

TU Delft

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 Aerospace Engineering

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 with 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.

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

Additional information

If you would like more information about this vacancy or the selection procedure, please contact Irene Fernandez Villegas, via i.fernandezvillegas@tudelt.nl. For information about the selection procedure, please contact the ASM secretary team, email: secr-ASM-LR@tudelft.nl.

Application procedure

Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 1 July 2026 via the application button and upload the following documents:

• Detailed CV
• Motivational letter
• Strong recommendation letter from your MSc supervisor(s)
• Copies of your BSc and MSc degrees and transcripts

You can address your application to Irene Fernandez Villegas. In the motivation letter, please describe the main challenges you expect in characterising material deformation and damage under cryogenic conditions using optical measurement techniques.

Interviews will be held in the second half of August.

Doing a PhD at TU Delft requires English proficiency at a certain level to ensure that the candidate is able to communicate and interact well, participate in English-taught Doctoral Education courses, and write scientific articles and a final thesis. For more details please check the Graduate Schools Admission Requirements.

Please note:

• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
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