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), 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 fuel efficiency, so lightweighting is a major focus. The energy transition (green hydrogen, hybrid and electric aircraft) may shift the focus to other life‑cycle aspects, requiring new design principles for novel structures. The PhD research will challenge you to define structural design‑compatible LCA methods that are accurate enough for conceptual and preliminary design phases and enable a good trade‑off. It may involve defining experiments to refine key LCA assumptions or data critical to the research.

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

Preliminary research questions

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.

Job requirements:

• 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.

Salary and benefits

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch universities, increasing from €3059 – €3881 gross per month, from the first year to the fourth year based on a full‑time contract (38 hours), plus 8 % holiday allowance and an end‑of‑year bonus of 8.3 %.

Conditions of employment:

Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4‑year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts: an initial 1.5‑year contract with an official go/no‑go progress assessment within 15 months, followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2.5 years assuming performance requirements are met.

Additional information: We embrace diversity as one of our core values and your application will receive fair consideration.